Issue No. 11

It's not surprising that aches and pains in the pelvic area are more common in late pregnancy as your baby gets heavier and the pelvic ligaments soften in readiness for the birth. The article on pubic pain gives you important guidance. If you are feeling discomfort in this area don't ignore it.

There is lots of information about labour and birth in this issue including a look at ways to relieve painful contractions - both natural and medical. Your feelings as you get closer to birth are included and there is some more practise for labour with a birth ball.

The article on communication is a must - learning to do this regularly before the baby arrives will give you and your partner a way to keep your relationship healthy during the busy weeks and months ahead. Babies need a lot of your energy and attention. One way to keep intimacy alive is to schedule time to talk and listen to one another regularly.

Brewed as a tea, red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) strengthens and tones the uterus and decreases constipation. Red Raspberry Leaf contains many minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C and calcium. It also contains an alkaloid called fragrine, which is the active ingredient that lends tone to the uterus.

When to take raspberry leaf tea
This herb has been used in pregnancy for hundreds of years and women and midwives swear by it. When I was pregnant the recommendation was to have one cup a day throughout pregnancy. It's now thought that it's best to start at 34 weeks with one cup a day for the first week, 2 cups daily in the second week and 3 cups daily from then until your baby is born. It will also help the uterus to contract and strengthen in the first 2 weeks or so after the birth and is also great herb to take while breastfeeding.

What does red raspberry leaf do?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that drinking raspberry leaf tea daily in the last weeks of pregnancy may reduce the duration and the pain of childbirth. It is thought to work by strengthening the longitudinal muscles of the uterus to increase the force of uterine contractions. Red Raspberry leaf does not start labour prematurely or promote contractions. It is NOT an emmenagogue or oxytocic herb. What it does is help strengthen the pelvic and uterine muscles so that once labour starts, the contractions are likely to be more efficient.

Tea recipe
To make a tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons of herb and steep for ten minutes. Strain. You can mix this tea with mint, spearmint, lemon verbena or rose hip tea to enhance the flavour. Sweeten with honey. Drink no more than 1-3 cups per day.