Raspberry leaf tea may not be safe for pregnant women. The NHS advises against drinking it while pregnant before 32 weeks of gestation. Some pregnant women drink it or take it in capsule form to encourage labour to begin naturally, but, as with so many complementary health ideas, natural does not always mean safe. If you want to try drinking raspberry leaf tea while pregnant, be sure to consult your doctor, midwife, or perinatal nutritionist. Most women will go into labour between 37 and 42 weeks, which can feel like a very big window, especially when you consider that fewer than five percent of babies are born on their due date or simply how fed up with pregnancy a mum may be feeling during this time. Your baby may come when they want to, or you may be one of the roughly 20% of pregnant women who are medically induced.

Why do some people believe that raspberry leaf tea can help with labour?

Raspberry leaf tea contains natural compounds, and the accumulation of these in the body that you can achieve through regular cups (or raspberry leaf capsules) is thought to tone the muscles of the uterus. There is no evidence that it will make labour start faster; however, there is some evidence that it can reduce the length of labour, as well as the need for medical intervention in getting things started. As previously stated, you may be able to start sipping the tea (up to three cups daily) or taking the capsules after 32 weeks if your doctor or midwife advises that it is safe to do so.

Who might be advised not to drink raspberry leaf tea while pregnant, even after 32 weeks?

Raspberry leaf tea may not be safe for pregnant women with a history of premature birth or those who are carrying twins, triplets, or a breech baby. If you have problems with your placenta or bleeding in pregnancy, you will likely be warned off it. If you’ve had a very fast labour in the past, delivered by c-section in the last two years, or are planning to have an elective caesarean, you shouldn’t drink the tea or take the supplements.

Raspberry leaf can also alter the effects of certain medications, including antidepressants, and your healthcare team will want to prevent this from happening.

What are some natural induction methods I can rely on?

We still don’t know why labour begins, and, as an evidence-based resource, Unii must point out that there is no established natural way to begin labour. However, there is some positive research about a number of natural methods. Please consult your healthcare team about trying any of these methods with the goal of inducing labour.

Eating dates

Dates are generally harmless (unless you have diabetic concerns) and very nutritious, so there shouldn’t be any issue with giving this one a try. Eating six dates daily from 36 weeks of pregnancy is thought to have an oxytocin-like impact on the body, supporting the ripening of your cervix and making you more likely to go into spontaneous labour. It’s a small study, but if you like the fruit, this is a nice one to try.

(Good) sex

By "good,” we mean the kind that results in female orgasm, which may boost oxytocin enough to get things going. The natural prostaglandins in semen have also been linked to natural induction. Sex in pregnancy is a difficult thing to study, especially on a large scale. You should not have sex if your waters have broken. However, if they have yet to break, sex can be a fun way to try and encourage labour if you want to try it.

Nipple stimulation/colostrum harvesting

Again, this is thought to stimulate oxytocin production. You can do this from 36 weeks of pregnancy. You don’t have to harvest colostrum while you do it, but collecting this liquid gold and getting to know your breasts a bit better can be helpful postpartum.

Clary Sage essential oil

This is usually safe to use from your due date, but it’s important to remember that all essential oils can have side effects. Aromatherapy is best practiced under the advice of a qualified practitioner, and you should also check with your midwife whether it’s safe for your specific pregnancy. Clary Sage is thought to help the uterus to contract, one of the early signs of labour, and there is some evidence for this. There are different ways of using the oil, including dropping it into a carrier oil or a spoonful of full-fat milk that you then pour into your bath water. You can also drop it onto a cloth or into an aromatherapy diffuser so that you can smell it. If your pregnancy has been complicated, your healthcare team may advise against using it in the bath. You definitely should not use it in the bath if your waters have broken. The NHS advice is to shower or bathe in plain water if your waters have broken.

For more advice on taking care of yourself in pregnancy, labour, and birth, check out Unii’s Antenatal Classes, with prenatal video episodes taught by senior NHS midwives, an award-winning obstetrician and gynaecologist, and six other leading healthcare experts. Only at unii.com.

For more information on caring for yourself in every week of gestation, check out Unii’s Pregnancy: The Three Trimesters Journey video course with Dr. Shree Datta.

Antenatal Class Questions: Is raspberry leaf tea safe in pregnancy?

This Unii article explores using raspberry leaf to prepare for labour.