Anyone planning on EPO or labor prep herbs, and when starting?

[DeChRi]

Just curious. I had PROM last time and labor didn't start by later the next day...being that I was GBS+ and having a hospital birth, I ended up with a wicked pit induction and no pain meds and it stunk. Last time I did EPO and RRL tea mix....but not sure if I will this time. I know I am a bit behind everyone else (due May 30), but those that are further ahead...any supplement plans, of just waiting to see?

[h@ppy mama]

I've been drinking the tea all along, as it's safe and does not induce labor. I just started taking the EPO pills orally this week (34 weeks) and will switch to internal application around 36-37 weeks. EPO doesn't induce either but I am waiting to apply it directly anyway.

[organicpapayamama]

ive been drinking rrl tea since about 25 weeks. I have kicked it up a notch with not only drinking more but making it more potent. thats about it.

[OrchideZ]

I have been drinking a pitcher of infused RRL/Nettle tea a day for about a month now. Love it!
I will add in EPO around week 36-37 like I did last time. I take it internally, vaginally and we use it as a lube for sexy time.
Our son was born on his dd so I think it worked ok.

[thefreckledmama]

I was just thinking about this a few hours ago. I've been drinking RRL tea on a regular basis for a few weeks, and was trying to decide if/when I want to start taking EPO. My mom has some that I think may have been mine from my last pregnancy, and it doesn't expire for another year, so I might just start taking the recommended dosage daily and see what that does.

Honestly though, I never really noticed EPO moving things along for me, and I'm putting more faith in the RRL tea to encourage and help labor along without going way past my due date.

[JorgieGirl]

I started at 36w orally (2 capsules) with EPO last time, then 2 more capsules, vaginally, at 37w til I delivered at 39+3.

I'll do the same this time.

[HankyPanky]

Pardon my pregnancy brain, but what does the EPO do for you exactly? I've forgotten...

Last time we started EPO around 36 weeks per my midwife's recommendation. I only applied it internally and used it for lube for perineal massage. I also drank RRL tea throughout the third tri. I went into labor at 39 weeks, but it was a super long labor (27 hours) so I'm not sure how much my natural prep helped.

This time I've been drinking the RRL tea since the second tri. I'm up to drinking 2 pitchers (maybe a gallon total?) a day of either pregnancy tea or RRL/Nettle infusion. More because I'm thirsty all the time and water does not sound good at all and I don't want to drink too much juice/sugars.

I have no idea if I'll do EPO this time around. It's something I'd like to talk about with my midwives (different practice than last time).

[Starfish11]

EPO=evening primrose oil; I'll start taking this orally next week at 36 weeks.

I have raspberry leaf tea but keep forgetting to drink it! So annoying!

[tempestjewel]

I've been doing RRL/Nettle/Rose Hip infusions for a while now, and will continue till delivery. I don't know if I'll do EPO. My last 2 were born at 38 weeks 5 days and 39 weeks exactly. I've just done walking and some hanky-panky to encourage things.

I'm more making sure I get lots of Nettles for the extra iron and Vitamin K. I bled out quite a bit with DD2, and nettles is supposed to help with that. I'm actually thinking of doing a strong brew of nettles/RRL and freezing it into ice cubes to chew on during labor and/or to melt a bunch quickly afterwards if I have heavy bleeding.

[OrchideZ]

Originally Posted by HankyPanky

Pardon my pregnancy brain, but what does the EPO do for you exactly? I've forgotten...

.

It softens the cervix.

[jcsquared]

been drinking my pregnancy tea since 20 weeks and will up the RRL ratio at 36w, per my midwife. she does the first internal at that time, along with the GBS swab, and will let me know how soft my cervix is and recommend either oral or vaginal EPO. she said she usually recommends 1g 3x per day. yikes - can't believe that's only about a week away!

she also recommends this chinese herbal preparation called 35W (for 35 weeks when you start it - though she says start a bit later bc of the cost) which i will start after our next appt. several other CNMs in the area recommend this formula as well.