YAY for EPO

[Charmie981]

So with the blood pressure "issues" (which I'm still not sure is an issue, but might become one, I guess ), I've been really stressed out about not being favorable for an induction...which doc has already mentioned at 38w. : I don't plan to consent to an induction unless/until I really believe it's necessary and I especially don't intend to have a 38w induction just because that's her protocol with PIH (not Pre-E...just occasional PIH). Anyway...enough about that.

I'm worried about not being favorable. I've had one induction that started with baby at -2, *maybe* 1cm dilated and about 30% effaced. Let's just say it was not fun and I should have stayed home and waited for my contractions to start on their own after my water broke! I don't want a repeat of that, so I've been using 3-6 caps of EPO daily since Friday. 3 at night and 3 t/o the rest of the day if I feel like it. Tonight I checked myself and I'm a good 2-3cm and a lot more effaced...maybe 50% instead of 20-30%? (it's really hard to tell exact numbers when you're DIYing it). So YAY. Now I just have to keep doc from checking and saying "since your favorable and your BP is "high" and..."

[justme77]

YAY!!!! Are you doing all 6 vaginally or some oral also? Just being nosy. I've been doing 1 oral in morning or afternoon and 2 internal every night....

[Charmie981]

All vaginally. The only time I've ever taken EPO orally I broke out TERRIBLY. That's why I'm getting "3-6." You just gotta wear a pad after doing them vaginally and I figure I have enough wearing of pads in my future that sometimes I just don't want to, so I skip the EPO.

[moderngal]

Isn't EPO supposed to help lower BP, too?

Maybe I'll start doing a little more. I was taking 4 orally and 1 vaginally a day.

[Charmie981]

I don't know if it lowers BP....seems like I should know that, though. Hmm...

I'm definitely of the mindset that doing them vaginally is more productive. Try to get the capsules as close to *in contact* with the cervix as possible. EPO only contains the precursors to prostaglandins, so you're kinda giving your cervix the ingredients and saying "go ahead and make some." I just don't think it works as well when they're absorbed through the gut.

[whalemilk]

EPO is a mild blood thinner it probably would lower BP. I found that out the day after I started taking it and it freaked me out so I stopped immediately (blood thinners can increase the risks with the Rh thing).

I don't know if it was EPO or uhhh other prostaglandins or just time, but right after I took my one dose I got a round of really bothersome cramping and my cervix is now about 3 cm and wayyy effaced! Something is working!

[dimibella]

YAY!! That's great news!

[amitymama]

So is EPO only supposed to be taken when you are actively trying to soften and efface your cervix? I bought some today but I'm only 37 weeks so I'm not sure if I should be taking it now or wait until I'm a little closer to my EDD. Also, how many a day should I be taking? I see that people do different things but I don't want to take too little to be effective or too much.

[boobyfeeder]

Good to know! I've been taking one orally and one vaginally every day since I hit 36 weeks. My BP is not normally high anyway, but it's been lower the last two times it's been taken, maybe the EPO is lowering it. I'm happy with continuing the dose I've been taking, since I tend to dilate a lot before labor anyway. I'm glad your cervix is favorable Charlotte, it will make it a lot easier if induction becomes necessary.

[truelife]

How many mg's/capsule is your EPO? I have taken an entire bottle orally (sitting at 40+5 days) in 2.5 weeks and am at a 2 & 50% effaced.

[Azryel]

Good news. Glad you're making progress, Charlotte. Sorry about the BP issues. * jaime

[daniturtle]

I'm going to start taking EPO today, I'm at 36 weeks now.

Annoyingly, we had an ultrasound a couple of weeks ago (cos there were some issues with kidney at the last one; but we SO won't be doing those next time around) and the baby seemed on the large-ish size. Even though u/s are notoriously bad at predicting baby size our midwife was still making noises about not wanting me to be 41 weeks with a large baby. ARRRRGGGGHHH WHY can't they resist technology???? Sorry to start ranting.

My point being...if EPO will help, I'm there!!!

[Lexi_029]

Hrm, I've been taking 1000mg orally since 35 weeks and I think I might start doing orally and vaginally tonight seeing that I just hit 36 weeks. I know I have some very, very watery CM and a lot of it right after I take the capsule so I think it might be doing something.

[Montse]

Can you achieve the same results with other types of oil, such as olive oil? Do the EPO capsules dissolve on their own?

[boobyfeeder]

Montse, EPO is not the same as olive oil. The capsules do dissolve on their own, I usually poke a hole in the one before I insert it, just so it hits the cervix faster. I don't remember where I bought mine, but you can probably find it in the vitamin/supplement section of a health store or even Walmart.

[lwuertz]

Hmmm... thanks for the tip Charlotte. I might hit up the vitamin section and pick some up as my OB is already hinting at induction.

[amitymama]

Doh! I bought 500mg instead of 1000mg. Should I just use two at a time then?