The Final Push Cooler

This guest blog post has been written by Eleanor, from Birth With Choice. Eleanor is an Award-Winning Hypnobirthing Teacher & 3-Step-Rewind Practitioner.

This recipe is a refreshing way to drink raspberry leaf tea in the third trimester  if you’re over hot drinks)

Let’s be honest, when you're in your third trimester (especially during a heatwave), the idea of sipping yet another mug of hot tea might be the last thing you want.

But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the benefits of red raspberry leaf.

As a birth educator who leads with evidence, I always come back to what the research shows and in the case of raspberry leaf tea? The science is compelling. Studies suggest that drinking it from 32 weeks onwards can help tone the uterus muscles and support a more efficient labour.

So yes, your evening cuppa could actually be birth prep. But if hot drinks are a hard no right now? I get it! That’s exactly why I started making this iced version during my own pregnancies and why it’s become a go-to for my clients, too.

The Final Push Cooler (serves one)

Think: tangy, refreshing, and actually enjoyable - even if herbal tea isn’t your ‘go to’

You’ll need:

1 Final Push raspberry leaf tea bag
200ml boiling water
A good handful of ice
Fresh lemon juice (to taste)
Lemonade or sparkling water
Optional: mint & fresh raspberries to garnish
How to make it:

Method:

Steep the tea bag in 200ml boiling water for 2–3 mins.
Let it cool, then pop it in the fridge until chilled.
Pour over ice and top with lemonade or sparkling water.
Add a generous squeeze of lemon and your fancy garnish, if you're feeling it.
If you’re making a jug for the garden, use two tea bags, and only add the fizzy bit just before serving, no one wants flat lemonade pretending to be a spritz.

It’s light, zingy, and super easy to make - but more importantly? It supports your body during this final stretch without adding another thing to your to-do list. It's a small (and delicious) act of care that can actually make a difference to your birth experience.

And if you want more evidence-based birth prep that's served with honesty and compassion?
Come follow me over on Instagram: @birth_with_choice, or visit the Birth With Choice website.