Can anyone tell me what these actually do ? I know you can give them in pregnancy and whelping but what are they for and why?

Ella.x.

This was an old gypsy remedy that a lot of people swear by to ease whelping.Dorwest herbs does it,sorry don't know how effective it is,Sandra.

They make pregnancy/whelping easier. Pregnant women often take them too for the same reason - I did myself - the hospital staff were astonished how quick everything was.
:)

Hi -Be carefull with them -they can make delivery easier but they can be dangerous if taken /given too early

I wish i'd known , i had a hard one last time round but if they help a real pregnancy why do you give for a phantom? I suppose you cant stop one happening but can it ease the symptoms.

Ella.x.

raspberry leaf tablets given from Day 1 of the season for 12 weeks can prevent/reduce the symptoms of phantoms as well as ease delivery.  I have never heard of them being dangerous in any way; perhaps someone could elaborate?

EPO and pulsatilla are also aids in preventing/reducing symptoms and easing stress for the bitch.

I stand corrected , I was thinking of Rasberry leaf tea  and as some one referred to Human pregnancies - I meant dangerous as in it can bring on contractions .:(

No Catweasle I think you might be right on this one...

I've never bred so I'm happy to be corrected but during my second pregnancy I took RL Tea from the recommended dates (yuk) the tablets are just a more pleasant way to get the leaves into your system. I used them with baby number 3 and they did significantly shorten the labour (36hrs without, 24 hrs with tea & 7 hours with tablets )

Any literature I've read advises against starting them too early as they 'might' cause a premature labour.  In saying that it takes a while to build up in your system and soften the uterus and as dogs have shorter pregnancies than humans maybe it won't have that effect?

They help tone up the uterus and are particularly useful in maiden bitches.  I believe in humans you shouldn't take for the first 3 months, just in case it can cause the baby to abort.  But are fine to take  from the 3 month period right through.