Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on January 2, 2024

Ask any mom if she wants a shorter, easier labor, and she’ll tell you yes for sure. While healthy food choices are vital to having the best pregnancy, certain herbs have been proven to help as well. I often sipped on this Lavender milk tea to help relax during my third trimester. Drink this delicious and nutrient dense pregnancy tea for your best labor and delivery yet.

Nettle

Nettle is a nutritive herb that’s primarily used to balance iron levels during pregnancy. It’s full of potassium, calcium, magnesium and silicic acid. While this one is safely and commonly used by women everywhere, during pregnancy, excessive amounts aren’t recommended since it has such a stimulating effect on the uterus. (source)

Red raspberry leaf

This is really the star of the show here. Red raspberry leaf has been used for centuries by women to tighten and tone the uterus, prepping it for labor. It can also help the uterus contract back to its proper size after delivery. There have been plenty of studies showing the benefits of this herb for pregnant women. This study in particular found that:

Women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth than the women in the control group.

Alfalfa

This earthy tasting herb is packed with nutrition, including carotene, trace minerals, and calcium. It has protective, hormone balancing effects, and we all know how crazy hormones can get during pregnancy! Even better, it helps to stimulate lactation and increase breastmilk quality, making it the perfect addition to a pregnancy tea. (source)

Oatstraw

This is another nutritive herb. Oatstraw is packed with “Silica, magnesium, phosphorus, chromium, iron, calcium, alkaloids, protein, the vitamin B complex, and vitamins A, C, E, and K.” Oatstraw is also known to strengthen and repair muscles and tissues in the body, so it also helps to tone the uterus in preparation for labor. This herb is also used to help strengthen the nervous system during times of stress and promote restful sleep. (source)

Spearmint

This adds a minty, refreshing taste to this tea blend without the same contraindications as peppermint. While large amounts of peppermint can reduce breastmilk supply, spearmint is commonly used by herbalists and midwives in custom pregnancy tea blends. Spearmint is also helpful for soothing digestive issues, another common pregnancy complaint. (source)

Rosehips

This herb is part of the rose plant and adds a hint of fruity sourness to this pregnancy tea blend. They’re super high in vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and help to boost the immune system. Rosehips are also rich in folate, a nutrient that’s vital for a healthy baby. (source)

How to use it

It’s generally recommended to avoid the use of any herbs or medications during the first trimester unless absolutely necessary. Drink this tea liberally during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters to help prepare your body for labor. It’s easy to make a quart of this tea in the morning to drink throughout the day. You can also sip on this pregnancy safe, sleepy time blend to help with the insomnia and anxiety that comes with the territory.