Could Bee Propolis be delaying labor?

[janarae18]

This is my first time posting on mothering, but I have read a lot of older posts about the use of bee propolis for gbs. I was gbs positive at 37 weeks and since then I have been taking bee propolis 4x daily plus using tea tree oil supp.  I tested negative at 39 weeks and 5 days.  Currently I am 41 weeks today and other than some menstrual type cramping (that are not regular in any way , and do not even occur every day, only sometimes at night) I have no signs of labor.... I have not been checked for dilation because I am worried about infection but I am considering being checked tomorrow at my 41 week apt.            Recently I read that NSAIDS could delay labor or prolong labor. I know the propolis has anti-inflammatory properties. Do you think that this could be delaying my labor? I really do not want to be induced but I also do not want to stop taking the propolis if it was instrumental in my last negative result.  Has anyone had any experience with this? Do you think I should stop taking the propolis?

Edited by janarae18 - 2/9/11 at 4:00pm

[janarae18]

Any ideas, thoughts????

[MamaChef]

Are you taking fish oils?

[HRJ]

Do fish oils delay labor?  Because I am taking the Nordic Natural prenatal fish oil - sorry to hijack!

But as far as the propolis, my acupuncturist said that propolis had magical qualities for endometriosis and fertility, so I wonder if there could be a connection too.

[MamaChef]

Yes, High dose fish oils can delay labor.  There is atleast one other study but I cant find it right now.

Randomised controlled trial of effect of fish-oil supplementation on pregnancy duration.
Olsen SF, Sorensen JD, Secher NJ, Hedegaard M, Henriksen TB, Hansen HS, Grant A.
Lancet. 1992 Apr 25;339(8800):1003-7.

"The high birthweights and long duration of pregnancy in the Faroe Islands led us to suggest that a high intake of marine-fat-derived n-3 fatty acids might prolong pregnancy by shifting the balance of production of prostaglandins involved in parturition. We have compared the effects on pregnancy duration, birthweight, and birth length of a fish-oil supplement, a control olive-oil supplement, and no supplementation. 533 healthy Danish women in week 30 of pregnancy were randomly assigned in a ratio of 2/1/1 to fish oil (four 1 g Pikasol capsules [containing 2.7 g n-3 fatty acids] per day), olive oil (four 1 g capsules per day), or no supplement. The three groups differed in mean length of gestation (p = 0.006), which was highest in the fish-oil group and lowest in the olive-oil group; the result was similar when the analysis was restricted to women with an estimate of gestation length based on early ultrasound findings (443 women). Pregnancies in the fish-oil group were on average 4.0 (95% confidence interval 1.5-6.4) days longer than those in the olive-oil group; the difference in birthweight was 107 (1-214) g. The effect of supplementation on length of gestation was influenced by intake of fish and of fish oil: the difference between fish-oil and other groups was increased by a low fish intake at baseline. Fish-oil supplementation in the third trimester seems to prolong pregnancy without detrimental effects on the growth of the fetus or on the course of labour."

[HRJ]

how much is too much?  I'm only taking 600 mg.  Maybe I should stop them soon. 

[janarae18]

Wow interesting.... see that was the connection with the bee propolis, i believe it does something to the proglastins, and unfortunately I was taking fish oil here and there as well but just stopped that around the same time as the propolis (41 weeks I think ) because I didn't realize it could be a blood thinner as well........................... I just wish that I had known all of this stuff and I wouldn't have even tried the bee propolis (for gbs) and stopped the fish oil earlier in my third trimester.... blah..... Well anyway I am now 41 weeks and 3 days I hope the effects of the supplements are gone so I can go into labor by 42 weeks..... Now I am faced with a hospital induction if I don't go into labor by Wed....  Any ideas to speed up the process?

[MamaChef]

HRJ, The studies are of much higher doses.

Personally, I'll stop fish oils at 36 weeks for a few reasons - 1.  I dont want to go over ;)  2.  They thin the blood 3.  I want a baby with a nice healthy small head :)  Ill restart high dose supplements once baby is out.

Janarae,

It doesnt sound like you took enough fish oil to really cause the results above :  Im sure babe will come any day now!  Average gestation for a first time mama is 41w1d.

Are you sure on your dates?  Did you have longer menstrual cycles?

[HRJ]

This is all interesting to me as I picked up Evening Primrose Oil yesterday and saw it is mostly Omega 6s.  The whole prostaglandin thing is making sense.

[janarae18]

Yeah I am totally sure of my dates, used ovulation test kit, two weeks later got my bfp, and my due date matches exactly with my lmp and a 6 week ultrasound...             I am overdosing on evening primrose oil at this point, and yesterday I tried castor oil to no avail.................. today I am 42 weeks and I refused my induction which was supposed to be last night.  So we are going in for more testing today and tomorrow to make sure the baby is ok. I just hope something happens soon.  If not, we will consent to being induced just shy of 43 weeks....  *sigh*