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I make it a big pitcher (like a lemonade pitcher) at a time. I pour boiling water in the pitcher over 4-5 bags and lets sit for at least 15 minutes, but since I drink mine iced, usually longer. When I am ready to drink, I put a lot of ice in my camelback and top it off with tea. I find the flavor to be so mild that I don't add any honey or agave, but if I am feeling fancy sometimes I add a little juice and seltzer to make it a "mocktail."

It make be total coincidence, but my BH contractions are much more noticeable since I've started drinking it. Plus, tea is a good hydrator anyway (since it is caffeine free), so either way it is good for you!

Following! I need to go pick some up

Just started thinking I should get some of this tea -- what brand(s) do you ladies like, or does it matter?

@knittylady: There is a ton of information out there and it is hard to know what to believe.

(My full disclosure: I'm a Western medicine kind of gal, because that is how I trained. But I have an enormous amount of respect for herbal and alternative medicine. However, I tend to shy away from information that seems to imply that all doctors have horns. Not the last time I checked.)

Anyway, from what I read, most state that RRL tea does not induce labor (you need oxytocin for that), but augments it. (Apparently makes contractions more effective.) It is also utilized to decrease post-partum bleeding. Some people say that it has a cumulative effect (hence working yourself up to multiple cups a day or stronger infusions) while others don't mention this at all. (While I was researching this, one person said their midwife was horrified that she didn't *wait* until she was 37 weeks to start!)

Some say start drinking at 16 weeks, others start in the 3rd tri.
Some say don't brew for more than 15 minutes (to avoid too many tannins which can, apparently, impair nutrient absorption), others say you "must" brew it for four hours (in order to reap the benefits of tannins)!

There is a lot of anecdotal evidence out there, but no real proof regarding a regimen. (I tend to ignore the birth stories that say it made their second labor go faster. Well...yeah.) I do tend to believe the more experienced midwives who recommend/use it regularly though, which is why I'm drinking it. In their view, it helps decrease interventions and bleeding postpartum. Others say it shortens labor overall, since contractions are more effective. Obviously does nothing for pain. (Some say it made labor more painful, because of the increased intensity!)

I'll be honest, I don't want my labor to be that fast. I'd rather things proceed how they are supposed to, especially because I fear blowing out the lady bits! So my routine is brewing a couple cups a day...if I get to them, fine, if not, I'm not kicking myself. The best thing to do is assess how you feel after drinking the tea. I do get some noticeable Braxton-Hicks after drinking the tea. For that reason, I am also drinking water like crazy to stay hydrated.

The other thing to consider is whether I'll make an extra-strong infusion to drink in early labor, which is recommended by most herbalists who deal with maternal issues.

Whew, sorry. Brevity is not one of my traits!

@knittylady: That's awesome! Tell him its all worth it. If I was ever down about anything, I always reminded myself: they can hurt me, but they can't stop time. lol!

@Espion: I'm drinking about 4 cups a day at almost 38 weeks, but like you, I'm not hyper vigilant about it.

I've had a lot of BH but I've been drinking the tea since like 28 weeks so I don't know if I can attribute it to the tea.

I have the traditional medicinals variety and then some in bulk I ordered off of Amazon from frontier herbs.

Also, I like the Frontier loose leaf variety much more than the traditional medicinals flavor wise. It tastes, fresher maybe? I think it's a better deal too, I got a 1 lb bag I think for like $12 or $15.

Are you all using evening primrose oil too?

@Espion: I'll just add that I drank a prenatal tea that included RRL throughout my pregnancy, and RRL throughout 3rd tri. My labor was 36 hours. So it's definitely not guaranteed to give you a fast labor!

@allison: Holy cow! You are a rock star. Definitely goes to show, every body is different. I assume it was your first pregnancy/labor? FTMs are in it for a longer haul, statistically speaking, but that is looooooong!

@Espion: yep, first. Hopefully next time will go much more quickly!