Has anyone used Evening Primrose Oil for natural induction?

Gina1221

I bought some last night as I'm trying some attempts at natural induction.  If you've used this, how did you take it - orally or vaginally?  Also, curious to know, if you did use it, did it work?  Thanks!

MAprincess

I took it with DS and I don't think it did anything for me.  It only helps you efface, not dilate and I was having no trouble in the effacement department:-)

FWIW, my midwife advised against it for my VBAC because there is some preliminary data that it softens the CS scar also, possibly making it weaker for labor.  Not sure how true that will turn out to be when they eventually do a full study of it, but in my case it wasn't worth the risk since I was almost fully effaced anyway.

vtmezzo

I've been using it since 37 weeks - 1 capsule 2x per day by mouth, and then starting at 38 weeks, added 1 capsule inserted against the cervix at night. If you decide to do this, sleep with a pantyliner because it will leak out!