The end of pregnancy: third trimester tea

“Studies have shown that women who take red raspberry leaf have a reduced incidence of birth interventions. Research has also found that women who drink red raspberry leaf tea regularly towards the end of their pregnancies had shorter second stages of labor than those who don’t.”

As I said in my first pregnancy blog it shouldn't be so hard to have a natural pregnancy, but there is so much to know out there. Here is one thing I always find myself sharing with preggy momma’s to help with a natural childbirth. Drink red raspberry leaf tea! You’ll find a lot of information out there about when to drink it, I only drank it towards the end because it has some conflicting information about drinking it in the beginning of pregnancy. Anyhow here is the skinny:

How much? 

As with everything you would want to check with your doctor – I actually didn’t because they don’t usually know about more naturopathic remedies, but I have say it for liability purposes – Anyhow, here is what I found and what I did:

 Where I got my fix?

1. It is inexpensive at this little shop in Kirkland, WA called Herban Wellness – I love this place it is a pretty amazing little store!

2. If you prefer to order it online I also like the Birds & Bees Teas - Peaceful Pregnancy.

 Resources and other helpful facts:

This article says you can: "You can have up to 4-5 cups of raspberry leaf tea in your third trimester, but have at least 2-3.” If I made it into my 41st week of pregnancy I was planning to drink 4 cups a day. 

This article refers to using it for labor induction “It is advised to start in week 32 of your pregnancy because this will help your body adjust gradually. Start by drinking one cup a day and take it to three cups daily by the end of your pregnancy. Reduce your intake if you notice severe Braxton Hicks contractions.”

As for my first pregnancy and birthing experience, my daughter came at 40 weeks (and 2 days), I didn’t know I was having contractions until I was about 4.5 cm, I progressed naturally and didn’t have to use any medications, and my second stage of labor was only about 30-45 minutes. So I believe in the power of this tea based on all my research, others experiences, and my own personal experience too. I hope you find this information helpful in your pregnancy journey!

The beginning of pregnancy: what to eat

When I found out I was pregnant I was so incredibly happy! At the same time I had the ultimate awareness that I was creating a human being inside my body, I realized that each cell of my child was being created by what I was consuming, it was a real reality check. That, and the food restrictions, oh the food restrictions! I made sure to avoid all the typical things:

·         Raw Meat

·         Deli Meat

·         Fish with Mercury, Smoked Seafood, Fish Exposed to Pollutants,                 Raw Shellfish

·         Raw Eggs

·         Soft Cheeses

·         Unpasteurized Milk

·         Pate

·         Unwashed Vegetables

·         Caffeine

·         Alcohol

And found this amazing site that helped me a lot its called Can Mommy Eat (you enter the food and it tells you if you can eat it, it was a lifesaver).

After a lot of research I picked New Chapter Prenatal’s  and New Chapter Whole Mega (for the DHA).

I also started by reading the book a “Holistic Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth” by Deepak Chopra. This book helped me align my body with my baby and prepare for natural childbirth. 

That is just where I began with my pregnancy, but there is so much more. Because pregnancy and childbirth can seem so overwhelming I wanted to help new mommas and blog about all the research I did so you can have it all in one place. It shouldn't be so hard to have a natural pregnancy, but there is so much to know out there. Look at my other blogs to find out more about what I did to maintain a healthy pregnancy, and techniques I used for a natural childbirth.