I started EPO caps two nights ago so I can't really say. I am considering stripping membranes at 40w since my OB will be out of town for Memorial Day and for me, it's important to me that she is there, we have built a relationship I trust her to follow my birth plan and she is, in general, an awesome OB who has many of the same philosophy's as a midwife. I would be very stressed out if she was out of town when I went into labor. So I figure if I can "ripen up" my chances of delivering with her are much better. I believe that it won't help unless babe is ready anyway, and in this instance speeding up just a day or two could make the difference for an awesome delivery and a crappy one with some random doc.
Also LizzyQ posted a similar question in "Birth Professionals" and got this response
Quote:
This is from a doula / nutritionist colleague of mine...
First of all, EPO has to be used along with zinc to give the foundation for
the prostaglandins that soften the cervix and contract the uterus. You
won't see that in any of the online discussions. I have only had two
instances in 20 years where it didn't work.one was with a diabetic who had
to be induced before we could really give it a good try, and the other was
with a mom who was very calcium deficient. After a couple of days with no
contractions I had her take some calcium lactate because I found out she
hated dairy and was not taking calcium. She went into labor within a few
hours of taking the calcium.
Here's the protocol I have used:
Within two weeks of due date insert one 1200-1300 mg soft gel cap (or two
500-600 mg caps) vaginally every evening when going to bed. During the last
week also take a zinc lozenge like Coldeeze. Nature's Way also makes a very
good lozenge you can get from the health food store. I like EFAMOL brand
EPO but there are others that will work fine. Just be sure that's the only
oil.
If the doctor is threatening to induce, then I have the client up the dose
to every 6 hours for the primrose oil and two zinc lozenges in a day. It
will be most effective in the evening after 5 pm because that type of
prostaglandin increases after dark. Of course this is only done if the
membranes are intact, but if the doctor tries to strip the membranes and
causes some bleeding the combination will also help keep down bacterial
growth and helps mature the baby's lungs.
As I mentioned above, if the mother doesn't feel some contractions after a
couple of doses, then she needs to take calcium lactate (the form is
important). Two to four capsules over a 12 hour period are usually adequate
and can also help with labor pain. They can be dumped into yogurt or ice
cream for quicker absorption. My daughter took capsules during her labor and
said she could feel the effect immediately on the intensity of the pain but
it didn't slow her labor at all.
If the mother is uncomfortable with inserting the capsules vaginally or if
she has leaking membranes she can also break them open and rub on the skin.
It won't act quite as quickly as placing it by the cervix but will
ultimately have the same effect. |
hehhe
