In this post, we’re going over labor induction tea, red raspberry leaf tea for labor induction, cinnamon tea for labor induction, a NORA tea recipe, nettle tea in pregnancy, and labor induction at 40 weeks.
Truth be told, there is no “labor induction tea” that will induce your labor. However, some teas are extremely beneficial for preparing your body for labor. They just don’t help truly bring upon labor!
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea for Labor Induction
Red raspberry leaf tea (RRLT) is a plant, also known as Rubis idaeus or Rubus occidentalis, that has been used as a traditional uterine tonic for pregnant and postpartum women for at least 2 centuries now.
This plant is native to Europe and parts of Asia and is known for its sweet, nutritious berries. However, its leaves (which are used in the RRLT) are also sweet and nutritious! RRLT contains B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and iron. Furthermore, it’s known for its antioxidant properties, which can help protect your cells from damage.
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea is an herbal uterotonic, meaning it can strengthen and tone your uterus.
drinking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy may [1]:
- Shorten the duration of your labor
- Increase the efficacy of your contractions.
- Decrease the likelihood of pre- and post-term gestation, therefore potentially decreasing your risk of having a medical induction
- Decrease the risk of artificial rupture of membranes. (However, this will largely depend on the maternity care practitioner and your informed decision-making process)
- Reduce your risk of a cesarean
- Lower your risk of a forceps or vacuum-assisted birth
- Decrease the risk of postpartum hemorrhage since it is toning your uterus [2].
Try thinking of it as RRLT supporting your labor by giving your uterus some extra nourishment.
However, we have not found red raspberry leaf tea to actually induce contractions like pharmaceutical uterotonics. Some pharmaceutical uterotonics include Pitocin, Ergometrine, Misoprostol, Carbetocin, and combinations of these drugs [3].
Plus, the evidence we have on red raspberry leaf tea’s efficacy for pregnancy and birth benefits is overall weak.
Still, from research thus far, it is not dangerous for women to drink during pregnancy. In animal studies, toxicity was only demonstrated when high doses were administered intravenously or intraperitoneally [4]. Therefore, drinking up to a few cups of red raspberry leaf tea daily is recommended as safe throughout your pregnancy.
Cinnamon Labor Induction Tea
We don’t currently have any evidence to show that cinnamon helps induce labor. However, we do know that ingesting too much cinnamon is dangerous for any mammal!
Still, cinnamon is beneficial in promoting relaxation, and improving depression and anxiety. Therefore, this calming effect can help bring labor on [7].
If you’re interested, check out 5 Things You Need to Create a Calm Birth Space.
NORA Tea in Pregnancy
NORA tea in pregnancy is the optimal tea blend for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum! NORA tea contains Nettle, Oatstraw, Red Raspberry Leaf, and Alfalfa. Combined, these herbs create a prenatal tonic with plant-based micronutrients and minerals that boorish your pregnancy body and growing baby.
From filling essential nutrient gaps to preventing maternal disease, these herbs might be worth the shot to start drinking ASAP!
Nettle Tea in Pregnancy
Nettle, also known as Urtica dioica, is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and western North Africa. Additionally, nettles are now also found in Western North America and New Zealand!
Ways Nettle Tea in Pregnancy Can Benefit You:
- Nettle contains some vitamins A, C, K + B, which may strengthen your arterial elasticity. Therefore, potentially reducing the risk of preeclampsia. (Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in which we know heart-healthy diets are crucial for the prevention and treatment of gestational hypertension). While vitamin K can help prevent postpartum hemorrhage as it’s needed to promote adequate blood clotting.
- Additionally, Nettle contains magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, and chromium. These help balance electrolytes, support fetal growth, ease leg cramps, assist with better sleep, treat anemia, prevent postpartum hemorrhage, and aid in the absorption of other micronutrients!
- Nettle can be used while lactating as a galactagogue, which may help increase your supply a bit when you drink it!
- Furthermore, nettle contains chlorophyll and beta carotene, which overall may nourish your vascular system via blood volume expansion, getting optimal oxygenated blood to your developing baby, and balancing your blood sugar
Therefore, nettle tea in pregnancy is an herb thought to strengthen and tone your entire vascular system, support fertility [5], ease cramps, and possibly ease the pain of birth [6].
Lastly, nettle can be used daily during pregnancy and has no known side effects.
Oatstraw in Pregnancy
Oatstraw, also known as Avena sativa and is native to Europe and boasts some medicinal benefits in pregnancy:
- It is loaded with vital vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium that double up some of the same benefits of nettle!
- Furthermore, it contains impressive vitamin D + E levels that nourish your thyroid, pancreas, and liver, aid in hormone balance and prevent circulation problems like hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
- Plus, ensuring you’re getting adequate vitamin D while breastfeeding is important!
Red Raspberry Leaf “Labor Induction Tea”
Following oatstraw in NORA tea is red raspberry leaf tea which we already went over above! Therefore, the next and last herb is alfalfa.
Alfalfa in Pregnancy
Alfalfa is also known as Medicago sativa and is native to Turkey and Iran, but it now predominantly grows in the northern and western United States.
Alfalfa is a powerful herbal grass robust with properties to boost your health during pregnancy and lactation. Alfalfa’s fantastic benefits include the following:
- Providing you with many trace minerals that balance blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
- Additionally, beta-carotene and chlorophyll, which promote joint health and internal pH balance
- A supply of vitamins D, E + K, which promote healthy blood building, blood clotting, and support digestion
- Lastly, alfalfa help promote a healthy milk supply if you’re trying to get your milk in quicker after an induction or a cesarean, or just need the extra milk supply help!
DIY At-Home NORA “Labor Induction Tea” Recipe
Most common issues in pregnancy (circulation, blood pressure, anemia, gestational diabetes, etc.) are preventable with the right kind and amount of nourishment to your pregnant body. If you’re ready to jump on all of these benefits we’ve discussed in this post, you may want to purchase your own Organic NORA Tea Blend Here or make your own NORA tea recipe!
To make your own pregnancy NORA tea recipe, all you need to do is combine the following:
- 1 part organic loose-leaf Nettle herb
- 1 part organic loose-leaf Oatstraw herb
- Another 1 part, this time of organic loose-leaf red raspberry leaf herb
- And 1 part organic loose-leaf alfalfa herb
By making your own NORA tea recipe, you can save so much money while taking advantage of this loose-leaf tea’s benefits multiple times a day!
And since you’ll go through many of these herbs throughout your pregnancy, don’t be shy about getting larger quantities of herbs. I linked 8-16 ounce bags per herb.
Your NORA blend can be stored in any sealed container and placed in your pantry, cabinet, or drawer. My favorite storage containers are these reusable, large glass jars HERE.
Instructions for How to Make NORA Tea Recipe for Pregnancy:
- Add ¼ cup of NORA tea blend into a quart-sized mason jar
- Boil 4 cups of water and pour into the jar with NORA tea
- Cover and let it steep for 8+ hours or overnight
- Strain and reheat to enjoy warm. Or pour over ice to enjoy it cool
- For flavor variation, you may add citrus, honey, or mint to your NORA tea recipe
How to Drink NORA “Labor Induction Tea” in Pregnancy (+ When!)
Remember that NORA tea isn’t only for pregnancy! You can enjoy this herbal tea for many months leading up to trying to conceive.
However, once you conceive, some recommend waiting to enjoy more NORA tea until you are 16 weeks pregnant, or you can omit the red raspberry leaf tea for those first several weeks to still reap the benefits of nettle, oatstraw, and alfalfa!
After 16 weeks, you can drink a quart of NORA tea 5 times or more per week. A good routine may be having one quart per day throughout your second and third trimesters.
How to Drink NORA Tea During Postpartum
NORA tea is touted as a pregnancy tea; however, it can be beneficial for many other times in your life, such as postpartum as we mentioned! To take advantage of NORA tea’s postpartum and birth recovery benefits, you may enjoy this tea as often as you’d like. Still, it’s recommended to aim for 1 cup per day, but continuing one quart per day will do even more wonders for your postpartum body.
Labor Induction 40 Weeks
“There are various reasons some mamas may try to induce labor naturally. Recent data found almost half (47%) of mothers had providers who wanted to medically induce their labor, and 71% of those attempts-initiated labor. More than a third of these attempts (37%) were elective [1].
This study also found that cesarean birth is more likely in the case of induction [1].
Even natural induction is still induction and an intervention straying from the normal labor and birth process, which can have adverse effects. But there are times and places for these tools!
If you genuinely feel a need for and the importance of inducing your labor, I’m excited to share options with research for you to take to your midwife or OB. However, if inducing your labor doesn’t feel right to you, and you are not at peace with it, do not let your provider pressure you into an induction”. – Read more from “How to Induce Labor Naturally,” plus holistic tips that will actually induce your labor rather than any of these teas, which I know you were hoping could help you in inducing your labor!
Or check out the difference between a medically indicated vs. an elective induction and how this is crucial to assessing if a medical induction would benefit or more likely harm you or your baby.
I hope you enjoyed this post, mama! Do you want all of my best tips, tricks, and more insight into an optimal holistic pregnancy and postpartum? Check out How to Make a Birth Plan – Free Template to download yours today. ♡
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Sources:
[1] Parsons, M., Simpson, M., & Ponton, T. (1999). Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: safety and efficacy. Australian College of Midwives Incorporated journal, 12(3), 20–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1031-170x(99)80008-7
[2] Gallos I, Williams H, Price M, et al. Uterotonic drugs to prevent postpartum haemorrhage: a network meta-analysis. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2019 Feb. (Health Technology Assessment, No. 23.9.) Chapter 1, Background. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537857/
[3] Gallos I, Williams H, Price M, et al. Uterotonic drugs to prevent postpartum haemorrhage: a network meta-analysis. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2019 Feb. (Health Technology Assessment, No. 23.9.) Chapter 1, Background. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537857/
[4] Bowman, R., Taylor, J., Muggleton, S., & Davis, D. (2021). Biophysical effects, safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf use in pregnancy: a systematic integrative review. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 21(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03230-4
[6] http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm
[7] Sohrabi, R., Pazgoohan, N., Seresht, H. R., & Amin, B. (2017). Repeated systemic administration of the cinnamon essential oil possesses anti-anxiety and anti-depressant activities in mice. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences, 20(6), 708–714. https://doi.org/10.22038/IJBMS.2017.8841
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DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
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