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Evening primrose oil  

post #1 of 12
9/26/06 at 4:40pm
Thread Starter 
Hi mamas-
Any thoughts on using this for natural induction? I know it won't cause me to go into labor, just ripen the cervix...has anyone had any luck with it? I am now 40 weeks + 4 days and know that I have quite a bit of time before my midwives start to talk about medical interventions, but I am still getting nervous...
post #2 of 12
9/26/06 at 4:57pm
I was just going to post that question in our ddc
I haven't a clue, but since today is my due date, and I am absolutely sure of my dates, I must admit I was wondering.
post #3 of 12
9/26/06 at 5:25pm
I have been curious myself, since I am officially 4 days over too :0 I am kind of scared to try it though-I am allergic to lots of flowers (even echinecea) so I am leery......
post #4 of 12
9/26/06 at 5:41pm
Capsule inserted vaginally at night is reputed to soften the cervix. Nothing close to an 'induction' method a la cervadil or pit. I have never heard anything about allergies to EPO, so maybe ask your mw?

I'm 41+3 and on the countdown to membrane rupture at least. I'm following a homeopathic suggestion from my mw:

day 1: 2 capsules every 8 hours of Caulophyllum thalictroides 30c for 1 day.
day 2: 2 capsules every 8 hours of Cimicifuga racemosa 30c for 2nd day.
day 3: repeat day 1
day 4: rest day
start over.

If at some point labor is established, discontinue.

Maybe ask if your midwives also like this method.

(I'm also seeing an accupuncturist this week.)
post #5 of 12
9/26/06 at 5:46pm
Not in your DDC but, I used EPO orally every day starting at 36 weeks and vaginally starting at 38 weeks or so. It definitely made my cervix nice and soft. 8 minutes of pushing once baby moved into position, but it won't start labor, i went to 41 w +5 days. Try acupuncture!

Best of luck!
post #6 of 12
9/26/06 at 6:35pm
So where does one get EPO? Does GNC carry it? My cervix is 70-80% effaced, so I don't know if it would be of any help at this point. Any opinions out there (what a silly question ha ha ha )
post #7 of 12
9/26/06 at 7:18pm
I have been taking it orally, (I don't like the idea of sticking things into myself vaginallysicne I am not really sure what I am feeling for) for about 3 weeks now. Today my midwife said I am only partial effaced (didn't give me a %) & dialated to 2. I am 41w2d so my guess is orally it isn't doing too much, atleast for me that is. However I am going to start the cohashes today & see if that helps things along. Wish me luck!!!
post #8 of 12
9/26/06 at 7:33pm
Good luck Cheryl, sending lots of good vibes for a happy, uneventful birth your way
V
post #9 of 12
9/27/06 at 10:15am
I've mostly been a lurker, but wanted to add my experience...

With dd2 I inserted EPO starting at 39 weeks (per midwife's orders) and she came at 39.5 weeks. My cervix dilated nicely, but she was posterior, so labor was long.

With Trey, I started inserting it at 39 weeks (per midwife again) and he came 39w +2d. My cervix softened very quickly. I was only in labor for 4 hours and went from 7cm to complete in 10 minutes! It didn't take many ctx to fully dilate and he flew right out with only a couple squatting pushes. I didn't tear at all with either of my last 2. I really think the EPO helped labor go more smoothly.
post #10 of 12
9/27/06 at 1:30pm
However I am going to start the cohashes today & see if that helps things along. Wish me luck!!![/QUOTE]
***********************************

hi there i just started thead on black and blue cohosh since i have found very little info on it... can you comment on that? is your MW supportive?

thanks for shedding some light...
post #11 of 12
9/27/06 at 7:33pm
I take EPO to soften scar tissue (VBAC). It isn't an induction method, the 'worst' it'll do is soften your cervix.
It increases natural lubrication as well. I used it to get pregnant with DD#1
post #12 of 12
9/29/06 at 8:50am

how do you get the EPO in far enough?

okay, very technical question here ... i have done EPO 2 nites in a row now. my midwife told me 2500mg is the recommended dose for cervical application. so i got 1000mg caps, prick them with a pin and insert. now the first nite i had literally no discharge from them... the 2nd nite it was coming out of me very soon after insertion... and both times i went str8 to bed after insertion. how do you get it to stay? how do you get it far enough... i feel so far from my cervix when i insert... which feels ineffective.

not sure HOW i got such different results on the 2 nites... maybe i just need to keep trying... but time is of the essence and i want to be as effectual as possible.

i thought of elevating my hips once i got to bed but my babe is only engaged in my pelvis 1/5 (barely up to his eyebrows) so i don't want to invert my body which might encourage him to go back out.

ALSO FYI, my doula said orally is also good to do WITH the cervical applications, one cap orally in the PM and one in the AM...

and midwife adds that EPO has the same effect as sex/sperm... so if you and your guy are in the mood for lovin' in the evening then you dont' need to use the EPO that nite
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