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evening primrose oil

post #1 of 15
1/30/12 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 

has anyone used this with success or is using this pregnancy? I'm getting desperate, and am interested in trying some natural methods to get things going.

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post #2 of 15
1/30/12 at 6:24pm

I started it orally a week or two ago, and am going to start vaginally, too, tonight. I'm 38 weeks. As for my understanding, with EPO, it isn't really going to get things going that aren't already going. It might to help soften your cervix, if it is already softening. It's one of those things that doesn't hurt to do, but I wouldn't use it with the idea of really speeding things up. Might make you disappointed.

Maybe others will chime in, cause I could be wrong.

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post #3 of 15
1/30/12 at 6:48pm

My midwife explained it the same way you did Slimkins and that it helps soften the cervix since its a prostaglandin but not as strong as semen. I wouldn't even say that its quite an augmentation to labor.

I took one orally yesterday morning but it made me sick to my stomach, so I inserted one in my vagina, tried to get it by my cervix but couldn't quite reach, lol. I read that it works best inserted vaginally after 37 weeks, so I'm going to skip it orally and just insert one or two vaginally each night. I have some clean, unused vaginal insert stick things that come in the box when you buy yeast infection cream, so I'll try those to get them up by my cervix. My midwife said that it can especially help first time moms whose cervix hasn't opened before.

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post #4 of 15
1/30/12 at 7:59pm
Thread Starter 

thanks, this helps!

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post #5 of 15
1/30/12 at 9:53pm

The only thing is that EPO has been linked to PROM (premature rupture of membranes)... so water breaks but labor doesn't start. It's not a chance I will take, especially being GBS positive as having the water broken for a long time can make that worse.

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post #6 of 15
1/30/12 at 10:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaysmylilpunkin View Post

The only thing is that EPO has been linked to PROM (premature rupture of membranes)... so water breaks but labor doesn't start. It's not a chance I will take, especially being GBS positive as having the water broken for a long time can make that worse.



Thank you for posting this - I wasn't aware of the risks and forgot to ask! I'll definitely ask my midwife tomorrow about the risk of EPO. I am GBS negative, so I wonder if the risks are lower for me...

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post #7 of 15
1/30/12 at 10:54pm
I'm only 5 days in on EPO but sexy time with dh has been WAY more effective.
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post #8 of 15
1/31/12 at 5:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaysmylilpunkin View Post

The only thing is that EPO has been linked to PROM (premature rupture of membranes)... so water breaks but labor doesn't start. It's not a chance I will take, especially being GBS positive as having the water broken for a long time can make that worse.



I had never heard this, and am seeing mixed views when I look around for more info (isn't that how it always is when it comes to herbs-vitamins). Almost impossible to find anything evidence-based. But it is definitely worth consideration. I had PROM last time, but luckily, I was at my EDD, and contractions started about 5 hours later. I was not using EPO that time. My midwife had recommended  waiting until 39 weeks for vaginally, so, maybe that is what I'll do. Plus, we have been having sex quite frequently, I don't want to overdue it. :)

And I'm sure you know this, but from looking around, it seems to be suggested that Vitamin C strengthens your bag of waters.

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post #9 of 15
2/3/12 at 10:56am

I'll be 37 weeks in a few days. I got the liquid EPO with a dropper. I was thinking of mixing it with coconut oil and inserting into my vagina after the 37 week mark. Does anyone know how much I should use? 

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post #10 of 15
2/3/12 at 1:55pm

I've been using 1000 mg but I know some people increase that with time. You could do 1000mg week one and 1500mg week 2 and 2000mg week 3 or something like that. I'm currently taking a break b/c this baby isn't allowed to come till Tuesday. So I'll start back on monday night. HTH

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post #11 of 15
2/3/12 at 5:13pm

I found this discussion of EPO and dosage interesting:

 

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1004668/evening-primrose-oil-and-possible-problems

 

 

 

 

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post #12 of 15
2/4/12 at 2:18pm

That discussion was very interesting! My dosage is one 500mg capsule inserted vaginally every night. DH and I haven't had sex in a while - he can't get passed the 'my baby's head is right there!' so EPO is my alternative for prostaglandins. If I go post 40 weeks, I'll start up-ing the dose.

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post #13 of 15
2/5/12 at 8:05am

Would there be any point to taking this if my cervix is already effaced?

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post #14 of 15
2/5/12 at 8:29am

Hmm... I mean I guess it couldn't hurt in a low dose. Are you dilated at all?

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post #15 of 15
2/5/12 at 10:45am

lurking. :)

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