Evening Primrose Oil?

• 06-02-2009 3:02 PM

  bobskat2003 Joined on 10-10-2005 CA Posts 50

  Evening Primrose Oil? Reply Contact I just wanted to check and see if anyone had any input on this subject... Does EPO really help to ripen the cervix before labor? I started using it a week ago, I'm 37 weeks today... This will be my 4th baby, 3rd baby delivered naturally... I used it some with my last baby, and was 2 cm and 70% effaced at 38 weeks (5 days before she was born), but how do you really know if it's the EPO or just your body doing it's thing?? How many of you have tried it and had a good result? Or not?

• 06-02-2009 3:47 PM

  In reply to

  CrissiLovesDylan Joined on 08-24-2007 Washington Posts 678

  Re: Evening Primrose Oil? Reply Contact One of my best friends used epo softgels up against the cervix at night before she went to bed, and it did the trick for her, wthin 48 hours she was in labor. HOWEVER, I tried the same thing, havng gone ten days past due, and it did nothing at all. Nor did running on a treadmill, spicy foods, raspberry leaf tea, sex, or a glass of red wine. Nothing did it for me, and after refusing to be induced with pitocin, I ended up with an c-section because at so far past due, I was delivering a nine pound baby. Youch!! I've come to believe that your body will go into labor when it's ready, and not a moment before. That being said, these "cures" do work for some women, I've seen it with my own eyes, my sister used castor oil, and was in labor within 6 hours. If you're close anyway, it certainly can't hurt to try, but don't be disappointed if it doesn't work. Good luck!!!

• 06-02-2009 4:55 PM

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  bldnblondenmore Joined on 01-22-2004 Cornelius, OR Posts 4,067

  Re: Evening Primrose Oil? Reply Contact I used it with my last two.  In my experience it didn't help me in that area I was 3 days over my due date with both.  I think it did however help lower my risk of tearing so I will use it again this time.  I am 33 weeks now so will start in a few weeks.  I had two small tears on the outside of the vagina with my first 9lbs 10ozs and then no tears with my second 9lbs 6 ozs. Good luck!  Sounds like you are almost there. Karrie

• 06-03-2009 1:24 PM

  In reply to

  bobskat2003 Joined on 10-10-2005 CA Posts 50

  Re: Evening Primrose Oil? Reply Contact Well, it's my understanding that EPO isn't actually supposed to cause or induce labor, just to ripen the cervix to get you ready for labor... Is it something that is supposed to work over time, and not quickly? Also, I think it really does help with tearing... My first 2 babies were 4 and 5 weeks early, so they were tiny... I had a small episiotomy with my first, he was 6 lbs 10 oz, I had no tearing with my 2nd, but he was only 5 lbs 15 oz, and my girl was my first full termer and was 8 lbs 9 oz... I was really afraid I was going to tear, but I didn't at all- and I really think that it had something to do with the EPO...

• 06-03-2009 1:27 PM

  In reply to

  bobskat2003 Joined on 10-10-2005 CA Posts 50

  Re: Evening Primrose Oil? Reply Contact Also, just an update--- A week ago my cervix was closed, firm, and long... That night I started using the epo on my cervix, and yesterday I was still closed, but funneling open (like a megaphone opened to the outside if that makes sense) and VERY soft... So, I think that it's doing the job... It's hard to know if it's just my body getting ready or if it's really the oil...

• 06-26-2009 5:52 PM

  In reply to

  angela~2DS Joined on 04-04-2005 VA Posts 1,794

  Re: Evening Primrose Oil? Reply Contact Thanks for the update. I started using it this week, I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow. I'll find out tuesday if it helps with anything on me. But I have read in a few books, that taking it three times a day should help speed up labor. Not that that's what I'm trying to do right now though! I just want to help my cervix change a bit before labor. And hopefully it will keep the tearing smaller or gone completelly! That's my hope!