EPO - are OB's clueless?

jenner77

I asked my OB at my last appt. (36 weeks) if it was ok for me to take EPO and she said "Why, for sleep???" with a confused look on her face. I told her why I wanted to take it (to help ripen/soften cervix) and she said "I can't really answer that". Meaning she can't answer my question if it's ok for me to take it. She said they tell non-pregnant patients to take it for breast pain.

Anyway - not sure if it was an act or if she really is clueless that it's supposed to help soften/ripen the cervix.  She said since this is my 3rd and both my others were vag deliveries (even though it was 12+ years ago) she doesn't think I'll have a problem with it (unripe cervix). 

Just wondering if anyone here had asked their doctor about EPO and got a reaction like that? 

mrsj0423

I wouldn't doubt that she really didn't know what it's supposed to do.  I have found that most of the OB's where I go seem to fall into the "if I didn't learn it at med school, it's not worth knowing" camp.  When I was like 30 wks, I asked my OB if the baby was probably head down since I felt hiccups right near my groin all the time and she was like "Um, I don't know about that.  I'm not sure why it would"... Okay then! Fortunately, the OB's at my office are really open minded and have embraced my BP and are on board with everything on it, even if they are clueless about a lot of things.

zaramarie81

I think it depends on the OB. I can see some actually knowing and making such suggestions and others refraining b/c it's not in a medical textbook. When it comes to "natural" anything, some will give advice with the disclaimer that that is not their specialty but that they've "had patients say it works for them" or "read that for some it works." Probably varies quite a bit though from doctor to doctor.

meagan.pilkington

Many OBs don't take natural methods seriously because there is no "science" to back up the claims and their profession is largely science based whereas I think midwives are more in tune with natural remedies and stuff. When I asked my OB about red raspberry leaf tea, she said there is no science behind that but if it tastes good, go for it! One thing she recommended for ripening my cervix was, in her words, "Sex. Have lots and lots of sex." I didn't even ask her about EPO cuz I figure she wouldnt care either way. But as a side note, EPO taken orally has done absolutely NOTHING for me in 3 weeks.

choppinbroccoli22

I agree with PP's. Consider that you asked a surgeon about a natural cervix ripener (allegedly- I really don't know myself). You need to ask someone who is an expert in that area.

Do you have a doula?

ETA: not that you should ask the doula; just wondering if you have someone whose approach is more in line with yours as you get close to delivering!

phq2011

Another thing to consider is the fact that OBs are bound by license and are at risk for malpractice. So, if it is not something scientifically based, they will be less likely to know something about it. My OB practice uses evidence-based medicine, which means I am going to get an answer based on studies that are backed by medical research. If they were to tell a patient something that was not backed, and the patient had something happen to them, it could be deemed malpractice on the basis of insufficient evidence. Obviously every OB is different, but I do believe there is minimal studies and evidence linking EPO to successful cervix ripening. 

ljanette85

similar... my ob knew what it was and said it was safe and that she knows that a lot of women use it. but she would not give me a definite yes about using it... it was like her hands were tied and she couldnt say anything.

 

Hyaline

Keep in mind too that even when there are studies and science for alternative options, they might not be on the doc's radar.  Often that stuff all gets printed in separate journals and sources, and if it's not an interest or specialty, it's probably not something she's seeking out.

Aiobheann

The most common usage for EPO is breast pain. It's not surprising that a OB (a surgeon) wouldn't know the other uses for it. If you asked a GYN (not a surgeon) and they didn't know I might still find it normal. The two professions have been so closely intertwined over the last 30-40 years that one doesn't really know where the other ends and it begins.