Experience with Red Raspberry Leaf?
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| Fri, 03-06-2009 - 11:03am |
I am concerned because yesterday at 3dpo I had some mild cramps and a little bit of spotting. I know that it is way too early for implantation, and I never have spotting mid-cycle.
I started taking red raspberry leaf caplets on CD10 to improve the thickness of my lining. (I decided to use the caplets rather than the tea so I knew how much I was taking.) I started off with 3 caplets/day (half the recommended dosage) and then increased to 6/day after O. Yesterday, I only took 3 in the morning and did not take it in the evening because of the cramping and spotting.
I have read that rrl is supposed to "tone" the uterus (which I assume means mild contractions). I have also read that it is safe to take through the entire cycle while TTC. Some sources say it should be stopped after getting a BFP because it could cause a miscarriage while others say it is safe to take throughout pregnancy.
I am very confused! Could these mild cramps and spotting interfere with implantation? Should I stop taking it now?
Thanks in advance for any input.
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/236397
Edited 3/6/2009 11:07 am ET by babylb



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Hi again,
If anyone out there has any experience with or knowledge about red raspberry leaf (tea or caplets), please, please respond.
I haven't taken it today and have had no more cramping/spotting. If I don't hear from anyone than I will probably stop taking it out of fear that it will inhibit implantation.
Thanks for an advice you can offer.
Shairstin
Hey there,
I've never heard of Red Rasberry to help with TTC, but I have heard of it to use to try to induce labor.
Melissa,
Thank you so much for your response! I am relieved to hear that your acupuncturist recommended red raspberry leaf tea. I think I will buy some of the tea and finish my cycle using it instead. If you think of it when you see your acu. next time, I would be curious to hear what he/she thought.
I am really not sure if the caplets could have caused the cramping/spotting, but I became really worried and wondered what I had done to myself! I had read a lot before taking them, but I don't have an herbalist/acupuncturist to ask (and my OB would think I am insane)! I live in Georgia so there is not much open-mindedness when it comes to medicine. (I grew up in the Bay Area btw.)
Best wishes and thanks again,
Krista
Hey, that's cool that you grew up in the Bay Area. I live in Cupertino/ San Jose. I actually grew up in Illinois/Indiana. Good luck with the tea. I do want to ask more about it just to ease my mind as well, but I feel like it's safe :)
Shairstin
Hi qtzie,
Yes, I have definitely read about taking red raspberry leaf during the third trimester to induce and ease labor (this was part of what worried me about my spotting)! I believe it has to do with the "toning effect" on the uterus.
No, my doctor did not suggest it... thus my concern when I started having cramping/spotting. I had a light and very uneven flow last cycle, so I thought my lining could be a problem.
I have adjusted my supplements and diet accordingly and added rrl caplets based on what I have read. I realize that I should not be self-diagnosing, but I happen to live in an area where homeopathic medicine is not well received. Trying to do what I can since we don't have infertility coverage.
Your son is adorable by the way!
Thanks for your input,
Krista
Hi Melissa,
I feel pretty confident that if your acupuncturist recommended rrl tea for the entire cycle while TTC than it must be safe! :)
I have read that rrl is a phyto-progesterone, so I think that I should keep taking it in some form (I will start the tea tomorrow) so that I don't have a sudden change during my LP.
I suppose all this pressure of TTC and trying to analyze each and every ####ing cycle makes one more than a little crazy! At least I am feeling that way!
BTW, I am 35, DH is 37. We have been trying for 8 months. (We don't have any infertility coverage, so I am not sure what we do next if we can't make this work!)
I grew up in Walnut Creek but moved to Mountain View as a young teenager. My aunt (mom's sister) and uncle and one of their sons live outside Chicago in Wilmette. The rest of my family (both sides) are all in CA. Even my husband, who is from Europe, has a sister who lives in LA. I do miss CA.
Again, thanks and lots of BFP prayers coming your way...
(I know where to send them now)
Krista
Hi Krista,
Have you ever read The Tao of Fertility by Daoshing Ni? I saw the author on the Today show and bought the book the next day. It's a GREAT book. He promotes the use of rrl (among others) throughout pregnancy. He also talks about the benefits of just plain ole raspberries too!! He says that raspberries can prevent miscarriage!!
So if you're worried about taking the capsules...just eat a handful of raspberries....or do like I do and make a yummy protein shake with them!! :o) (1 cup raspberries, 1 scoop of whey protein powder and 1 cup of milk) :o)
Melissa~ I wonder if the diet that is in the book is the same that your acupuncturist put you on?
I have an appointment with my herbalist/acupuncturist on Weds. I'll be sure to ask her too so we can compare with what Melissa's acupuncturist says.
Good luck!!! I hope you get a BFP sooooooooon!!! :o)
Danielle
Me:I'm 38 and have been trying to conceive since June 2008. Cycles 1-7 natural BFN Cycle 8- IUI with Femara and trigger BFN Cycle 9- IUI with Femara and trigger BFN
Hi Danielle,
Thank you so much for the book suggestion! I had not heard of Daoshing Ni before, but this is exactly the type of approach to fertility that I have been looking for. I read some excerpts and reviews online and decided to order the book from Amazon!
I love your protein shake recipe too. It sounds delicious (even if I weren't TTC) since I love raspberries. Could I use frozen raspberries (they are so expensive right now) or will that diminish their fertility boosting qualities?
I am also very interested in trying acupuncture next cycle. I have a few questions if that's alright. First, does the acupuncturist need to be specialized in fertility and if so how do I go about finding one? (I see that you are in Canada so that may be tough to answer, but all I need is a starting point.) Second, when during your cycle do you start going and how often?
I've done acupuncture for orthopedic injuries in the past and had great success when other treatments failed, so I am keenly interested in the possibility.
Thank you again and best wishes to you for a BFP!!!!!!!
Krista
Hi Melissa,
I purchased the tea today, organic, loose-leaf in bulk so it wasn't too $$$. Just wondering how much your acupuncturist recommended that you take daily. Also, are there any special instructions like how long it should steep or whether it should be taken before or after a meal? I truly apologize for asking so many questions!
I am considering acupuncture for next cycle and was wondering how you found your acupuncturist. Should I find someone who is specialized in fertility and if so how do I do that? None of our friends here are TTC as they all have had babies recently *sigh*, so I hesitate to ask them.
Thanks again for all of your help!
Krista
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