Does EPO have the same risks as say prostaglandin gel in UR?

[Family4Christ]

I was reading this on ICAN and noted that when prostaglandin gel was used on VBACers, it increased they risk of UR from .5% to 2.45%!

Now would Borage oil or evening primrose oil used internally on the cervix (suppository style) produce the same risk? On one hand, I would think not, since semen doesn't create this problem and it's full of prostaglandins. What is it about cervadil and the like that increases the risk so much?

Evening primrose oil is something I'm considering starting orally now and either Borage oil or EPO internally at 36 weeks.

[mollikins]

I don't know that it's been formally studied, but I would say no for the following reasons:

1) EPO doesn't actually contain prostaglandins - it contains fatty acids that the body converts into prostaglandins, primarily E1.

2) EPO has not been shown to actually induce labor, and even its use as a cervical ripening agent is uncertain, meaning it is far less effective than the prostaglandin gels used for labor induction.

3) prepidil and cervidil both use a different prostaglandin, E2, than the one primarily produced by your body after ingesting or inserting EPO.

FWIW, I've been using EPO internally for about 2 weeks and I am planning a VBAC (currently 39+2), haven't had any side effects. Not sure it's doing a whole lot either - I was only 25% effaced and 1-2 cm dilated at my appt yesterday, so who knows?

Good luck!

[briome]

I agree w pp....being that EPO has not been studied in the same way. I count the p gel as anothe form of induction and ALL induction (and augmentation) to me does increase some risks for the VBACing.

That beig said, I personally do not use EPO or anything (other then natural marital contibutions *wink*) inside during pregnancy or labor. I do take some flax seed oil during pregnancy. I think you should be fine of course!

[AlexisT]

Cervidil is prostaglandin E2, but Cytotec is a synthetic PGE1 analogue.

I don't think EPO has been well studied enough to say either way. I think it might be theoretically possible, but no one is using enough of it to cause an effect.

[Family4Christ]

Thanks so much for the info!

[Family4Christ]

If EPO (internally & externally) softens scar tissue, what does it do to the c/s scar?

I think this is what got me to not take it with dd, but I really need all the help I can get this go around and want to do it.

Now, here's a strange question, if I use EPO vaginally (at 36 weeks, not now, of course) will it have an impact on my c/s scars? I mean, the stuff is used to soften scar tissue on the cervix, so what will it do to my actual c/s scars? I am also planning on taking it orally, so same question there.

Anyone know?