Vaginal vs Oral EPO

[sunshine's mama]

I've done a search but there are sooo many threads with these words in them that I thought I would just come and ask....

Is there a big difference in taking it orally vs inserting it vaginally...??????

I am not quite at the point of where one would take the EPO but my MW and I did chat about it last appointment and I didn't ask her then but meant too...she is on vacay right now...thus me asking here...

From what I have read online you massage the EPO on the cervix or place it on the cervix....what if you can't reach your cervix??? I kinda can but just the tip of it....

Is it enough to just pierce the capsule and insert it near the cervix????? Will the capsule dissolve completly??? (have visions of going to an appt and having them check me and finding all these capsules.....

What mg do I need to use for either?? My local store has it in 500, 1000 and 1300mg...

TIA

[mimiharshe]

:

[bryonyvaughn]

Disclaimer: I am NOT a birth professional, just someone who's study a lot about nutrition, physiology, and biochemistry.

The essential fatty acids do not act on the cervix directly. They are converted into polyunsaturated fatty acids and, in the presence of estrogen and some other mineral catalysts, some PUFAs are converted to prostaglandins which soften the cervix among other functions.

While the cervix and vagina have ample blood flow for absorption, I'd assume you'd get a higher conversion rate taken orally as human semen (natural prostaglandin source) is more effective taken orally than applied locally.

Just my speculation.

~BV

[ishyfishie]

Not a birth professional either but interested! My Bradley instructor (who's also a chiropractor) recommends taking the EPO orally starting at 36 weeks (my sheet says 500 mg three times a day by mouth). Then, if you need something a little more drastic (ie induction is being threatened), she recommends 6-8 capsules inserted behind the cervix every 8-12 hours which "will ripen the cervix remarkably in 24-36 hours." It also says not to do it if your water has broken.

I'm curious to see what others recommend or were told--even though it's still early and my midwives haven't really said anything, I'm getting worried that they'll want to induce because I "have GD" and our families on both sides have a history of big babies.

[sunshine's mama]

Originally Posted by bryonyvaughn

Disclaimer: I am NOT a birth professional, just someone who's study a lot about nutrition, physiology, and biochemistry.

The essential fatty acids do not act on the cervix directly. They are converted into polyunsaturated fatty acids and, in the presence of estrogen and some other mineral catalysts, some PUFAs are converted to prostaglandins which soften the cervix among other functions.

While the cervix and vagina have ample blood flow for absorption, I'd assume you'd get a higher conversion rate taken orally as human semen (natural prostaglandin source) is more effective taken orally than applied locally.

Just my speculation.

~BV

Thanks....that's interesting to know.....I have heard that about semen too but not in my mouth.....

Originally Posted by ishyfishie

Not a birth professional either but interested! My Bradley instructor (who's also a chiropractor) recommends taking the EPO orally starting at 36 weeks (my sheet says 500 mg three times a day by mouth). Then, if you need something a little more drastic (ie induction is being threatened), she recommends 6-8 capsules inserted behind the cervix every 8-12 hours which "will ripen the cervix remarkably in 24-36 hours." It also says not to do it if your water has broken.

I'm curious to see what others recommend or were told--even though it's still early and my midwives haven't really said anything, I'm getting worried that they'll want to induce because I "have GD" and our families on both sides have a history of big babies.

Good to know...I've heard similar from various sites and such...some say you can take it all at once, some say to split it up etc......My cervix with dd#1 started dilating at 34wks all on it's own (felt some sharp pains there and asked my MW to check me and I was 2cm and 75%) so I may not even need to go this route to help things along but will definatly go this route if the word induction is mentioned by anyone in the practice.......!!!!!

[pamamidwife]

I think they both work the same - and I'm still not fully convinced of its effectiveness to soften the cervix. I hear alot of anecdotal informaiton, but nothing that has been proven with a large scale retrospective study.

Semen works best, as does orgasms.

[bryonyvaughn]

Originally Posted by pamamidwife

I think they both work the same - and I'm still not fully convinced of its effectiveness to soften the cervix. I hear alot of anecdotal informaiton, but nothing that has been proven with a large scale retrospective study.

Based on what we know about the biochemistry and physiology, EPO would only make a change *IF* the woman were deficient in EFAs and not making the optimal amount of prostaglandins.

Semen works best, as does orgasms.

This makes complete sense as you're not only getting the prostaglandins (which your body would break down into EFAs and rebuild into its own prostaglandins) but also the benefits of the the orgasm's oxytocin.

BV, who'd rather have a babysitter and dinner reservation than cytotec