vaginal EPO use connected to PROM???

[crazyrunningmama]

Hi again!
I asked how people were using evening primrose oil (how much, orally and/or vaginally) and got steered to a discussion thread in the April DDC. A couple of people mentioned that they were warned NOT to use EPO vaginally as it may lead to early rupture of membranes. Anyone know anything about this?

thanks!!

[redvlagrl]

I would love to know the answer to this also!

[leurMaman]

I only used EPO vaginally after I was 40 weeks. In my last pregnancy I had some on hand (I think I had taken it orally for the previous one after 40 weeks). It is a prostoglandin and can help ripen the cervix. When the cervix is ripe and the Bag of waters is exposed it is probably closer to rupturing than otherwise. One night, when I felt some contraction activity after 40 weeks, I inserted some vaginally to my cervix. I felt sharp cramping followed by a rush of bloody show (which actually scared me, as I didn't see it in previous births and it was more blood than I expected). Contractions came on stronger and stronger and I had my daughter within 4 hours. I'm guessing it is powerful stuff if the time is right. You aren't 40 weeks yet - could you wait a little longer to use it?

[mediumcrunch]

I've never seen any evidence/documentation that EPO could do that and anecdotally I have had no such trouble with it myself and I take it orally and insert it vaginally and long before 40 weeks. The pregnancy I was the most religious about using EPO my BOW ruptured at 10cm about 5 minutes before my daughter was born.

[HankyPanky]

Here is a thoughtful discussion on the Birth Professionals board about EPO. I stumbled across it the other day.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...&highlight=epo

I don't believe PROM is mentioned, but there are some other concerns and questions about dosage that got brought up.

Sorry that I have no real answers.

[gardenmommy]

I've used it in 2 pregnancies. With both, my membranes released very late; one in labor about 5 minutes before baby was born, and the other not until well into labor. So, IME, no, it doesn't cause PROM. My MW suggested it both orally and vaginally starting around 39 weeks.

[crazyrunningmama]

Thanks for your responses!! I think I'll just keep taking it orally for now.

[Funny Face]

I could see how it could be an adjuvant if you already had some softening or dilation going on.

Going to check out the other thread...