For STM..evening primrose oil

Jamiepahel

I know its a bit early to be asking, but have any of you STM used evening primrose oil (either the capsules or the actual oil as a suppository) at the end of your pregnancy? I've heard about it but haven't done much research. I've heard putting the oil up your vag starting at about 37 weeks doesn't induce labor, but it does help with thinning out your cervix and improving elasticity in your skin down there. Just curious

abatkins

Did absolutely positively nothing for me.

audbeach

I took it before I got pregnant with DD, and then started taking it again at the very end of my pregnancy.  I don't know that it helped with anything, but my Dr said it wouldn't hurt. 

anvloveskme

I started taking it in third tri with DD based on recommendation of my MW.  Didn't help to my knowledge as I ended up having a c section after 18 hours of labor, fever with risk of infection and fluctions in DD's heart rate.

wifeyvana

I started evening primrose at 35 weeks, per my midwife's orders, and I went into labor at 36 weeks. It could have been a total coincidence, but I won't be using it again this time around. If I didn't have a history of preterm labor, I would use it.

PrimRoseMama

Yes. Starting at 38 weeks. I took EPO orally. I tried the vaginal suppository but it got to be too difficult and messy.

I went into labor at 39 weeks and 1 day. Still had a 2nd degree tear. I also had sex the night before I went into labor. The prostaglandins in the seminal fluid do similar things with helping to thin your cervix. My labor was only 4 hours long start to finish, but I don't know if that is because that is how it is for me or if the EPO (and red raspberry leaf tea to strengthen/tone the uterus) did it.

Your midwife and/or OB should go over all the details with you during third trimester. Its way early to worry about it now.

m1ssl1ss

I can't say if it helped because I haven't had a prior delivery w/o it-- but I took it orally and vaginally from 37wks on and although I went to 42wks as soon as they broke my water it only took 5 hours for me to dilate and get that bad boy outta there.

TristansMom01

I used it vaginally and took the pills. I also used Red Raspberry leaf tea. I carried for 40 weeks and had an inmedicated birth. I didn't have any tearing nor did I have an episiotomy. I don't know if it had to do with the EPO but I will be using it again. Use a panty liner when you use it as a suppository.

TristansMom01

somebodysmama21:

Here is the thing no one can tell you this did work for them and no one can tell you it didn't work for them because if they did it they have no idea how their labor would have went without using it.That being said I did use that and red raspberry leaf tea capsules for EPO I inserted the capsule vaginally before bed. I did both of those things religiously after MW gave the go ahead. Whether or not it helped I can't say because I don't know how it would have went without them but it made me feel like I was doing something so I will do it again this time.

This is true. I had a positive birthing experience so I'll do it again. The Red Raspberry Leaf tea tastes great with some honey some honey so what the heIl?