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Talk to me about Evening Primrose Oil...

macy42macy42
in Natural Birth

I read somewhere about this supplement and it's ability to aid in labor. However, I cannot remember where I read it or what it's benefit was. I am trying to do some research on healthy ways to prepare my body for my much desired natural labor/birth. Also, if you have taken this, what was your experience? Did you take anything else along with it (read something about RRLT in a post below)?

Thanks ladies, you are all so inspiring and are really making my goal of having a natural birth more attainable!

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Re: Talk to me about Evening Primrose Oil...

  • ldbryanldbryan member

    https://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html#Ripening

    My doula sent me this. I started taking EPO twice daily by mouth at 35 weeks.  At 37 weeks I added one as a suppository at night. At 39 weeks I started taking two twice daily plus suppository. I haven't taken any other supplements along with it. Yesterday I was at 2cm.  

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  • ABeautifulMindABeautifulMind member
    I started taking EPO orally twice daily and drinking RRLT three times daily beginning at 36 weeks.  I can't say for sure that it helped (my MW didn't do an internal until I was in active labor).  My labor started at 2:30AM with my water breaking and then ended 5.5 hours later with the birth of my DD, so it definitely was quick!
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  • kali55kali55 member
    My MW told me that it helps soften the cervix to help with effacement and dilation when labor starts.  I took it and progressed really quickly in labor, it was only DS coming out at an awkward angle that prolonged my labor


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  • reederahreederah member
    I took is 2x a day orally, starting at 36 weeks. I had a very quick labor, progressing to 7 cm without really knowing it before I got to the hospital! However I also had a ton of sex, so I think all that sperm may have helped soften things out too haha. But I don't see harm in trying EPO!
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  • MommaWest11MommaWest11

    I'll tell you about it!

    It's gross and makes you smell like a pan of chicken grease! Blech!

    In all seriousness, it helps soften things up. It WON'T induce labor, contrary to what many believe. I used it for the first, and will probably for this one, but I didn't like it. I do think it worked well for me. 

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  • StefandToddStefandTodd member

    I took EPO starting at 36 or 38 weeks with #1...I can't remember which.  I believe my MW this time recommends 36.  IIRC, I took one by mouth until 38 weeks then one each morning and night, and then vaginally one at night from 38-40 (he was born at 40+1).  I also took RRL starting from about 25 weeks.  This time, my MW recommended I start RRL at 12 weeks.  I'm taking 2 capsules of it twice a day until the birth.

    She also recommended this time that I take Nettle, Dandelion, Calcium with Magnesium, Cranberry, and Vitamin D.  It's a LOT of pills every day.

    With just the EPO and RRL last time, I had a fairly quick and easy labor, so I for sure believe in those two things.

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  • Nicolejb781Nicolejb781

    This may be a stupid question but what is RRL? 

     

    I'm usually just a lurker here on the natural birth site trying to get some advice and insight before making up my decision on whether to go forward with natural birth or not!

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  • StefandToddStefandTodd member
    imageNicolejb781:

    This may be a stupid question but what is RRL? 

     

    I'm usually just a lurker here on the natural birth site trying to get some advice and insight before making up my decision on whether to go forward with natural birth or not!

    Red Raspberry Leaf.  Many people drink it as a tea, so you'll also see RRLT or RLT.  I take actual red raspberry leaf capsules though.
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  • Nicolejb781Nicolejb781
    imageStefandTodd:
    imageNicolejb781:

    This may be a stupid question but what is RRL? 

     

    I'm usually just a lurker here on the natural birth site trying to get some advice and insight before making up my decision on whether to go forward with natural birth or not!

    Red Raspberry Leaf.  Many people drink it as a tea, so you'll also see RRLT or RLT.  I take actual red raspberry leaf capsules though.

     

    Thank you!  That helps explain a lot!

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  • macy42macy42
    Wow! Thanks girls for all of your responses. It seems like you all had positive birth experiences, and I think it's worth taking an extra pill or two a day! Thanks again, I will def. be talking to my MW at my next appt!
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  • curlylockscurlylocks member
    My birthing instructor suggested popping one of the capsules and using the oil for perineum massage in the weeks prior to the start of labor to help soften and decrease the chance of tearing during delivery. 
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  • Princess TifaniePrincess Tifanie
    So, you just put the whole supplement into your vagina?  Or do you pop the pill and put the oil inside your vagina?  Does the plastic substance around the oil dissolve?  Also, what milligram?  I could only find 1,000.  Thanks so much for the help!
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  • smcgerveysmcgervey member
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