When can a pregnant woman start drinking raspberry leaf tea

If you’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of the as-yet-unborn human you’ve been housing, you’re likely exploring every ointment, tincture, technique and herbal remedy factually or fabled to promote a smooth-sailing delivery. And, one such remedy we reckon you’ve Googled at least once is red raspberry leaf tea.

The rumours surrounding the benefits of drinking raspberry leaf tea, particularly when pregnant, are rife – and advocates are quick to share anecdotes of a steadier labour with less interception.

Consult your midwife or doctor before taking any sort of new supplement while pregnant

But, is there any truth to the claims of raspberry leaf tea’s abilities? And, what does science say on the subject? WH spoke to Holistic Nutritionist, Nutritional Therapist and Naturopath Elizabeth Montgomery, to learn more about this most curious herbal remedy.

What actually is red raspberry leaf tea?

As you might expect, red raspberry leaf tea is a herbal tea made from crushed, dried raspberry leaves. Unlike raspberry fruit tea, red raspberry leaf tea is a herbal remedy that can also be taken in capsule form, if tea isn’t your, erm, cup of tea.

‘Red raspberry leaf tea has been used for hundreds of years by herbalists for many health issues, but primarily for the uterine area to help ease uterine pain, PMS, cramping and spasms,’ says Holistic Nutritionist, Nutritional Therapist, and Naturopath Elizabeth Montgomery. ‘It contains a compound called fragarine, which helps to tone and tighten muscles in the pelvic area. This is why it’s referred to as a "herb for women".’

What are the alleged benefits of raspberry leaf tea?

Anecdotally, red raspberry leaf tea has plenty of benefits, though a question mark hangs over whether the claims are accurate, as there’s a significant lack of scientific evidence.

That said, red raspberry leaf tea is full of nutrients. ‘It’s a good source of numerous vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, B-vitamins, phosphorus and iron,’ says Montgomery.

Some theorists suggest that raspberry leaf tea could also have cancer-fighting potential, since the leaves contain ellagic acids which, studies suggest, could slow the growth of cancer cells – though much more research is needed on the subject before any hard conclusions can be drawn.

What are the benefits of raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy?

The reason red raspberry leaf tea earned its reputation as a 'herb for women' is for its word-of-mouth ability to ease PMS symptoms, like cramping, as well as for toning the muscles of your womb to help it work during labour. This is thought to be a result of the fragarine compound in raspberry leaves.

‘Red raspberry leaf tea has been traditionally given to women during the last half of gestation in order to help with an easier birth, and some studies have shown that it may help to shorten the duration of labour,’ says Montgomery.

According to the NHS Bolton Trust, however: 'Evidence provided by NHS Medicines Information (2014) shows that research studies show no difference in length of labour or birth outcome for mums who had taken raspberry leaf tea compared to those who had not.'

Is raspberry leaf tea safe in pregnancy?

Every pregnancy is different, and since many of the benefits associated with drinking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy are purely anecdotal, there’s no way of saying for sure whether it would be safe for you, under your very personal circumstances, or not.

To be safe, due to the significant lack of research surrounding red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy, many experts, including Montgomery, likely wouldn’t recommend its consumption. ‘I have done a lot of research on raspberry leaf tea in the past and although it has been traditionally used for centuries, there just aren’t enough clinical trials to support recommending it,’ she says. Crucially: ‘It’s really important to discuss taking any herbal treatments with your doctor or midwife before taking anything whilst pregnant.’

When should you start drinking raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy?

If your doctor or midwife considers it safe for you to drink red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy, they will likely recommend you begin drinking it around 32 weeks, and easing in with a single cup per day.

It’s thought that it takes several weeks of drinking raspberry leaf tea before it has any effect, which is why introducing the herbal remedy at 32 weeks is often advised, so as the weeks go on you might be encouraged to increase your intake to 2 or 3 cups a day.

Can you drink too much raspberry leaf tea?

In short: yes. Whilst side effects of drinking raspberry leaf tea aren’t necessarily common, they can include:

• Nausea

• Loose stools

• Braxton Hicks contractions

‘If taken in moderation (1-2 cups per day), raspberry leaf tea shouldn’t cause any side effects,’ says Montgomery. ‘Although, in higher amounts, it may cause loose stools and have a diuretic effect in some individuals.’

Our best advice? Consult your doctor or midwife before brewing any raspberry leaf tea to ascertain a dose that’s safe for you. And, be sure to alert them if you do experience any side effects, as they may encourage you to discontinue drinking it.

When should you not drink raspberry leaf tea?

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust advises steering clear of raspberry leaf tea if:

• You are having a planned c-section or have had one before

• A previous labour lasted three hours or less

• You have experienced vaginal bleeding in the second half of pregnancy

• You have had a previous premature labour

• You have a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer, endometriosis or fibroids

• Your baby is breech

• You are expecting multiples

• Your pregnancy is not considered to be straightforward, and there are complications (such as high blood pressure)

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