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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Happy St. Patrick's day lassies!!
Krista~ I'm sorry AF showed up!! She IS a witch, indeed. You know what's funny...I was watching TV the other day and saw a Tampax (I think it's Tampax) commercial...you know the one where Mother Nature keeps trying to bring the "gift" to people? I found myself getting MAD at her!! LOL I was like "go away...get off my TV". Then I snapped back at reality and had to laugh at myself. haha
Yes, definitely see if your doc can see you earlier!! It would really stink to have to wait a whole month. Good luck with the acu-ist. I hope you like it. :o)
Melissa~ Sorry about your bfn, sweets. I'm waiting for AF to show up today too....and yes, I WILL be throwing back a Guinness (or ten) if she shows up today. I decided last night that I would not test today...b/c I'm pretty sure AF will show today....now I'm wishing I would have tested this morning. Ugh.
So...yes, I'll be on the next flight out to Cali to come beer goggle with you! haha
I hope you join our buddy group, Krista.....but I was thinking....maybe we could just keep our RRL group here too. I like how small it is. :o) Just a thought.
Have a wonderful St. Paddy's day!!!
~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 girls,
Well, I came to check how you both are doing and saw Melissa's ticker!!!!!! BFP! BFP! BFP!
Melissa~I am so incredibly happy for you. I went down to the 30-somethings page to get the details. Sending you tons and tons of sticky vibes... come on little bean!!! No green beers for you yesterday, but I am sure you did not miss them at all.
Danielle~I checked on you too and saw that your temp is up today and no AF! I am keeping my fingers crossed that you will have more good news to share. : ) How cool would that be! AFSA vibes coming your way. Too funny about those Tampax ads. What a witch... especially when she says "Oh, newlyweds!" Now that's just mean.
AFM, AF is being particularly unkind this month. Terrible cramps yesterday and today despite taking Motrin. Couldn't get my Dr's appointment rescheduled (seems like they are always busy) so I guess I'll be waiting. : ( I do have my acu-ist consultation tomorrow... that is positive.
Tons of sticky baby dust to both of you!!!!!!!
Krista
Hey Krista,
Isn't that awesome about Melissa!!! I was so thrilled to read that. It totally made my day and once again gave me hope!! :o) It'll happen for us too!! Soon! :o)
I just realized that I didn't answer some of your questions you had...but first of all, that's so interesting about how you and your DH met. I love hearing stories of how couples meet. Who would have thought you'd meet the love of your life in a design class in CA?! Just goes to show that there's a plan for each of us. :o) I checked out some of your pics on FB and you all make a really cute couple! :o) You'll have beautiful babies.
Regarding the Chinese herbs...I take 16 pills, 3 times a day- and yes, it's a blend. I met with my acu-ist this morning and she's going to put me on some more next week.
Give the V8 Splash a whirl. I think you'll notice a big difference!! Like a BIG difference. haha
Regarding my chart...the H under meds was the day I had the IUI. I don't know why it showed up as an H. Weird.
I'm excited for you about your acu-ist appt tomorrow. I hope it goes well and you like it. :o) Sorry that AF is being so miserable to you. Maybe she's being bad this month b/c she knows she won't be around next month!! :o) It's like her last hurrah (sp??) before she's gone for a while.
Melissa~ Sending you sticky stick sticky vibes. Hope all goes well for your next Beta...I think you said it was next Thurs??
Hope you both have a great day!!!
Danielle
Me:I'm 38 and have been trying to conceive since July 2008. Cycles 1-7 natural BFN Cycle 8- IUI with Femara and trigger BFN Cycle 9- IUI with Femara and trigger BFN
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/25d878
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
Krista~ thanks for the congrats :0)
Shairstin
Just popping in quickly to say hi.
Melissa~I have everything crossed for your beta tomorrow. P&PT for some nice high numbers!!!!!!! Try to relax (if that is possible) and get some rest in the mean time.
Danielle~Dare I say it, the last part of your chart is looking a lot like Melissa's! I am loving that temp spike today. AFSA and BFP wishes coming your way.
AFM, the cramps are finally subsiding (I think) so hopefully I can enjoy the evening. Ok, still have work to finish... ugh.
Krista
Hi Ladies,
Well, AF showed up yesterday. :o( I hate her. It's pretty light so it's not too terrible to deal with. I called my RE yesterday and told the nurse that I wanted to sit down with the RE and talk about my options. I want an answer as to why I'm having a hard time-- a small cervix (his original diagnosis) just doesn't seem right to me. I mean...those little spermies are teeny tiny...I'm SURE they can fit thru my cervix. So I want to see what he says and then take it from there. My acu-ist says that taking a month off would be good for me but it's so hard to just leave it up to one thing...one thing that does not offer a guarantee. You know? So I'm not sure what I'm going to do. DH is having such a hard time with work and there's a TON of stress around here so I don't want to add more to it.
Sorry that this post has been AAM but I just need to vent.
Krista~ I hope your cramps have subsided a little.
Melissa~ I have everything crossed for your beta test tomorrow. I hope you have great numbers. Sending you sticky vibes!!
Have a great day ladies. I'll update you after my appt tomorrow morning.
~Danielle
Me:I'm 38 and have been trying to conceive since July 2008. Cycles 1-7 natural BFN Cycle 8- IUI with Femara and trigger BFN Cycle 9- IUI with Femara and trigger BFN
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/25d878
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
Hello, hello,
Danielle~I am so disappointed that the witch found you! Your chart really had my hopes up... so I can only imagine how you must be feeing! I am glad to hear that you are going to sit down with your RE and discuss your options. I think you are right that a small cervix doesn't seem to be a complete explanation. Forgive my ignorance, but I thought that an IUI deposited the sperm directly into the uterus (so the cervical opening wouldn't be an issue).
Trust your instincts and go forward with whatever feels right for you. Perhaps changing to Clomid, as Melissa did this cycle, might make the difference. I wish that I could offer some insightful advice.
Melissa~Praying for a beautiful beta # tomorrow!!! Come on little bean... grow, grow, grow! I hope that you have been able to have some rest and that DH is taking wonderful care of both of you. Still crossing everything.
Afm, well I out of time... got to get dinner on the table. My acu-ist apt. was great, and I start next week.
Best wishes to both of you
Krista
Hi ladies,
I hope that you are both enjoying the weekend. I have been working today :( but tonight we are going to a concert. DH & I both NEED a break from work!
Melissa~Hooray for a great beta number!!!!!!!!!! I have been frequently checking the 30-somethings board for an update. I am extremely happy for you, and I will keep sending P&PT your way. Try to get some rest! As for getting another beta test done vs. waiting for the ultrasound, do whatever will stress you the least. Since your RE is happy with the beta #, perhaps waiting for an u/s where you can see the heartbeat might be best. Just a thought. :0)
Danielle~I am interested to hear what your RE had to say and what your plan of attack is for this cycle. I hope your appointment went well.
AFM, I am feeling really positive about my new acu-ist. She was very comprehensive in her evaluation (about 1.5 hours) and made some immediate recommendations, but also wanted to review my specifics. I begin treatment on Monday, twice weekly until O. I have had 1 (possibly 2) anovulatory cycles since I began tracking my cycles, so we are focusing on that.
She likes that I am drinking RRL tea daily! She also gave me positive feedback about "The Tao of Fertility" although there are certain recommendations she had based on my particular situation.
Best wishes to both of you,
Krista
Thanks Krista :0)
I'm glad you really like your acu-ist, I think that's important. I feel like the acupuncture has really helped me- so hopefully it will help you and Danielle too! The place I go recommends that you continue to go (once a week) throughout your first trimester- so I'm going in for another treatment on Tuesday.
Keep up the positive attitude :0)
Shairstin
Hello hello Ladies!!
Happy Monday to both of you!! I hope you both had a great weekend and a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Melissa!!! I hope you're having a great day, sweets!!
Krista~ My RE appt wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst either. Remember how I said I wanted to take a break for a couple of months? Well the RE said that wasn't a particularly good idea. He said that my anti-mullerian levels were low (which is basically an idea of your egg count reserve) so time is of the essence. :o( That's not the easiest news to hear. DH keeps saying that I need to relax and not worry about it so much and then it'll magically happen somehow. Right. Guys just don't get it, do they?? How am I NOT supposed to stress if I just heard that I have a limited amount of eggs?! Ugh.
Anyway...sorry to be such a downer today.
I see you've been lurking on the 30 Somethings board. C'mon in and introduce yourself. :o) The women there are wonderful and I know they'll make you feel welcome and comfortable. :o)
On to happier things!! :o) Melissa~ Have you decided if you're going to have another beta drawn or are you going to wait until the ultrasound?? I hope you have a great birthday!!
~Danielle
Me:I'm 38 and have been trying to conceive since July 2008. Cycles 1-7 natural BFN Cycle 8- IUI with Femara and trigger BFN Cycle 9- IUI with Femara and trigger BFN
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/25d878
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
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