Epo?

[LittleBrownDog]

Anyone taking it? I'm 36 weeks now, I didn't do it with DD, but anything that will help ripen things is welcome, I don't want a long labor like I had with DD. I'm a big weirdo and the idea of using it vaginally bothers me so I'd only take it orally I think- Is it even worth it if you're not doing both? How much do you take? Any one brand better than another?

[AKmomof2+1inNov]

I'm taking it. I started a couple days ago and I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow. I have no illusions of going early, so it's more to make things go smoothly when they do happen. I'm only doing orally for now. I have 500mg Naturally Preferred and I'm taking 3, but I have no idea if it's a good brand.

[*Lindsey*]

I heard/read somewhere that orally was actually better than vaginally. Don't quote me on that, though!

I'm going to get some this week and start taking it orally. I didn't do it w/ DS and had a 7.5 hour labor. I did use it with DD (orally and vaginally...it's not that bad, it just melts in there and kinda oozes out in the AM. ) and I was over 5cm and 70% effaced about a week before I had her. Dunno if it was from the EPO or not...but it can't hurt, I figure!

[meisterfrau]

I don't know about brands either. I asked earlier this week, I think on Birth and Beyond about this. I was told I could take my 1000mg capsules twice a day orally.

I did the internal thing too, and it wasn't gross or anything. I did it right before bedtime and everything just kind of fell out in the morning when I went to the potty (sorry if TMI).

[GinaRae]

I plan to do this too.

Don't forget the RRL tea! I hear it helps make a smoother, faster labor for many.

[monocyte]

I was just going to post about this!!

I finally picked up my frontier order, and got some!!

[moonchiald]

Can someone link an article or other information as to what EPO does? I haven't read about this yet.

[pixiesmommy]

Do tell, what is EPO? Does it stand for something that my brain is just not connecting at the moment?

[moonchiald]

I believe it stands for Evening Primrose Oil.

[*Lindsey*]

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/....html#Ripening

[Googy]

I've read some really contradictory statements online as to whether or not EPO is safe during pregnancy. Does anyone have good research on this? I'd like to read it before I start taking any.

[Traceyky]

I did use it with my last birth... which was a 10 lb girl and my easiest yet... but I can't say if the epo made a difference or not. I did START labor at 7 cm, lol.....

[crunchywannabe]

EPO is actually one of the safest things you can do to try and prepare your body for labor.

it does not stimulate any hormones...it only helps to soften the cervix

[sorteep]

My MW said I could start it if I want (esp since i have gone long with both) but I ma actually afraid I won't make it long enough.... since my work issues necessitate me staying PG until Nov 6th at the absolutely earliest (EDD nov 5th) I *might * start it maybe last week in OCT but it might be too late to make a huge difference then?? I don't know,, I have it so will decide as I go along...

[Momma Aimee]

it was on the shopping list for Tue -- then insert stomach big and NST and NO SHOPPING got done -- i am VERY fustrated by this fact.

so it is on the shopping lsit for next tue -- course by next tue i will only feel generally owrse, be more tired and waddle more and feel less like trudgeing around town to get sh*t done......

I used it orally for 2 week and interanally for a week before DS. Internal was no biggie -- didn't even feel it.

[AKmomof2+1inNov]

My midwife just got back from a midwife conference and wants me to try this:

I've been taking the 1500 mgs for a couple days but now I'm to take
2500 mgs today
3500 next day
4500 day after
5500 day after
6500 day after
7500 day after
8500 day after
9000 until birth

The midwife that uses this method doesn't usually have late babies and since I have a history of going right to the 42 week cutoff for non hospital births here, she thinks it would be good for me to try it. If I take all that and still go to 42 weeks I'm going to be annoyed!

[Momma Aimee]

I've been taking the 1500 mgs for a couple days but now I'm to take
2500 mgs today
3500 next day
4500 day after
5500 day after
6500 day after
7500 day after
8500 day after
9000 until birth

what week are you now -- so what week is the "today"

also -- I am assumeing this is orally? All at once or thought the day

intresting

Aimee

[Valerieg]

I used EPO and RRL tea in the final weeks of my pregnancy last time...my labor from first "real" contraction to birth was only about 6 hours pain-free. So there isn't any way I'm skipping it this time.

Right now I'm drinking RRL tea everyday I can remember it (which is most). I'll start the EPO by mouth at 36 weeks. Insert, if necessary, after 37 weeks (don't want to go early by any means).

[crunchywannabe]

and for those that don't know...RRL tea only strengthens and tones your uterus.

it does not help to bring on labor so if you are worried, it is totally fine to be drinking now.

EPO is normally started at 36 weeks and taken through term....it should not put you into labor right away

HTH

[monocyte]

Originally Posted by AKmomof2+1inNov

I've been taking the 1500 mgs for a couple days but now I'm to take
2500 mgs today
3500 next day
4500 day after
5500 day after
6500 day after
7500 day after
8500 day after
9000 until birth

OMG that seems like an awful lot!!