Tea To Induce Labor?

Is using tea to induce labor a genuine way to get things moving when your baby is overdue, or is it just a myth? We've all heard the stories about certain supplements that are said to kick start contractions, but is red raspberry leaf tea one of them?

Apparently not (it's just a myth!) although it has been used by native Americans for many years (thousands of years in fact) as a uterine toner. In other words it can help to keep your uterus and pelvic muscles in tone while you are pregnant, and help your uterus to shrink back to its original size more quickly after pregnancy. Red raspberry leaf tea is also said to help stop the bleeding after childbirth. Although as with any herbs or alternative methods medical advice should be sought. Ask your midwife and see what she thinks.

Red raspberry leaf tea to induce labor?

So can you use tea to induce labor? Well you could give it a try, but its doubtful that anything that will happen! Experts believe that red raspberry leaf should 'not' be used in the first trimester. But if you want to give it a try after 36 weeks, then it could help with the delivery of your baby by toning the all important muscles that will be used during childbirth, pelvic and uterine muscles.

Other ways to induce labor

A more popular way to move things along rather than red raspberry leaf tea is acupressure. Acupressure has been used for thousands of years and maternity acupressure is no different. Western women have been using pressure points for generations to help to induce labor and strengthen contractions.

3 main points are believed to induce labor, these being

• Hoku - This can be found on the webbing between your thumb and index finger.
• Spleen6 - This can be found on the inside of the ankle.
• Bladder 32 - This can be found above the buttocks.

Dr Lena Leoni has wrote an exceptional book on maternity acupressure, to take a look at the book click here. Dr Lena also includes a set of instructional videos, so you can be certain that you are manipulating the correct points.

If you would like to see more natural 'at home' methods of inducing labor then try taking a look at our natural ways to induce labor article.

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