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August 2012 Moms
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Herbal supplements for "induction"

RasereiRaserei member
in August 2012 Moms

In truth, I don't really want to take anything that will force on contractions. I'm dilating (well, up to 2.5) but I'm still "high and hard". Wednesday I'll be 38 weeks and have read a few herbal supplements may help with that. I'll list what I'm considering, and of course I'll clear it with my OB, but I'd like to know of anyone else's experiences with these particular items.

Borage Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil (both supposed to help dilate/effacement)

Raspberry Leaf (supposed to strengthen uterus to make contractions, when they do come, do more with each)

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Re: Herbal supplements for "induction"

  • phq2011phq2011
    In my experience, OBs don't know a whole lot about these supplements,  probably because they are not studied from a medical standpoint. I haven't personally tried these, but also remember your cervix can change very quickly and in the even you do need to change the cervix, medication is not your only option.
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  • punkrockabyepunkrockabye member
    I've been taking EPO orally and drinking the tea. I didn't mention it to any doctors because like PP said I don't think they're going to know much about it anyway, so I did my own research and decided that I was comfortable with it. I haven't been checked (it hasn't been offered and I'd probably decline anyway) so while I don't know if the supplements are actually helping, I feel that they can't hurt regardless.
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  • chapstix7chapstix7 member
    I have been taking epo and red raspberry leaf tea. I haven't been trying to induce labor, just help my body prepare. I was familiar with both, because I used both when trying to get pregnant. I began the tea (1 cup) at the beginning of the third trimester and have increased it to 2 cups from 36 weeks on. I have always loved tea, so I figured what the hey? I take 500 mg orally of epo in the morning and evening and insert one before bed (now that I am full term). I am 85 percent effaced now, not sure if it helped, but didn't hurt. Good luck!
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  • MommyMelRNMommyMelRN member
    I see midwives, so obviously very different care, but I've been drinking rrl tea my whole pregnancy and taking EPO vaginally since 37 weeks.  I can't tell you if they've helped any since I'm still pregnant (39 weeks 4 days) and haven't been checked, but they certainly haven't hurt things!
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  • jfgreerjfgreer member
    I just bought some EPO today. At this point, I'm trying anything to get dilated.
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  • jfgreerjfgreer member

    imageMommyMelRN:
    I see midwives, so obviously very different care, but I've been drinking rrl tea my whole pregnancy and taking EPO vaginally since 37 weeks.  I can't tell you if they've helped any since I'm still pregnant (39 weeks 4 days) and haven't been checked, but they certainly haven't hurt things!

    How many are you taking, orally and vaginally? Mine are 500 mg.  Reading around online I was thinking 1-2 orally and 2 vaginally, all before bed. Too much??

     

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  • chapstix7chapstix7 member
    I believe (don't hate me for this) the trick is to take it for a few weeks. I've heard it's not an overnight thing. With that being said no harm in trying. You can take one in the morning, evening, heck take one in the afternoon. I would insert 1 vaginally before bed and another when you get up to use the bathroom in the night. I prefer this method to 2 at the same time because that tends to get messy. Good luck!
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  • RasereiRaserei member

    imagechapstix7:
    I take 500 mg orally of epo in the morning and evening and insert one before bed (now that I am full term).

    Inserting kind of freaks me out a bit. I'll be 38 weeks soon as well. Without going beyond the limits of TMI, can you point me to something that explains how to do that? I mean (and this may sound really naive) does it go as far in as say an internal exam with the doc or just "in" like a suppository in the other end?

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  • jfgreerjfgreer member

    imagechapstix7:
    I believe (don't hate me for this) the trick is to take it for a few weeks. I've heard it's not an overnight thing. With that being said no harm in trying. You can take one in the morning, evening, heck take one in the afternoon. I would insert 1 vaginally before bed and another when you get up to use the bathroom in the night. I prefer this method to 2 at the same time because that tends to get messy. Good luck!

    Yeah that's kinda what I reading :( I'm just seriously trying anything right now, and this never really crossed my mind till yesterday. As of a few days ago, I was only a fingertip dilated. I go in again on Tues and I just really really want to see some progress. I'm also getting acupuncture, which I think might be doing something. Thanks for the dosage tips!  

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  • chapstix7chapstix7 member

    Use very clean hands and just kind put it up there. I've read it's best the closer you can get it to the cervix. 

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