Evening Primrose Oil

mommymeg143 · October 2014

I have heard many women raving about Evening Primrose Oil and it's positive effects during pregnancy. My doctor told me to go for it when I mentioned taking them.

So, I bought a bottle of gel caps from Garners yesterday. The gel caps are 1,300 mg.

I took the first one around 1:30 pm and started having contractions at 3 pm. The contractions carried on from that point throughout the night but were very sporadic. They were nothing like my normal BH and were quite painful.

My question(s)for you ladies is this...Have you had experience with EPO? Are you currently taking it? Did/ Do they cause contractions for you or do you think it's just a fluke that this happened the same day? Do you have any positive stories to tell regarding your experience with EPO? Negative experiences?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I really want to prep my body for delivery any way I can (well without using "Castro" Oil)!!!

ETA: I'm 37 weeks if that matters.

moroccojade · October 2014

I took EPO my last pregnancy. I didn't really feel like they did much.

I probably won't bother this time around unless my midwife has some magical stories to encourage me with.

soulcupcake · October 2014

Well, it isn't oxytocic, so it doesn't promote or encourage labor. It's only meant to help ripen the cervix if the body is ready. It contains the properties the body needs to make prostaglandins.

I start taking EPO orally at 34 weeks, around 1000mg, and vaginally at 36 weeks, but upping the amount to 2000mg vaginally.

mommymeg143 · October 2014

IndianaMommy08 said:
I've thought about taking them. Where did you purchase yours?

ETA: nevermind I should read better! Lol I haven't heard of that store but I'm hoping like a grocery has these?

Do you have a whole foods store near you? I saw them there today, too.

soulcupcake · October 2014

Health food stores will likely carry it.

Kristil2014 · October 2014

I started a couple of days ago. Haven't noticed any real difference. I got mine at a drug store. I take 1500 mg in the morning and 500mg vaginally at night.

jac409 · October 2014

I haven't taken EPO, but I did just start drinking red raspberry leaf tea and the same thing happened to me with the contractions. I have been having Braxton Hicks since around 20 weeks, but these are different...lower and more painful. They started the same day I started with the tea. Red raspberry leaf tea is similar in its purpose and effect to EPO, or at least that is my understanding.

dbgwife · October 2014

I just bought some organic Red Raspberry Leaf Tea to see if this hopefully helps things progress. I realize I'm early the the last 4+ days of cramping are driving me mad. I've never used it before but I'm all for things that aid!

manders9479 · October 2014

I've been taking them for a week, 3x a day 500mg, as recommended by my midwife.... I'm 37 weeks today, no contractions at all.

shindylahoe · October 2014

I just picked mine up from target today!

I will start aggressively taking them after my maternity photography session tomorrow.

I took them last pregnancy and while I still went late (same as my first 2) I feel like it did help ripen my cirvex before labor. I was 4cm dialated before they broke my water to induce labor. Total labor time was 5 hours from when they broke my water to holding baby in my arms.

dbgwife · October 2014

I just bought some EPO seriously, anything to help!!

TC0514 · October 2014

When you girls are inserting them vaginally are you poking a hole in the gel cap or just inserting whole? I'm on my way to get some today!

MrsG1019 · October 2014

@TC0514‌ -- I pierced mine-- you just gotta be careful not to squeeze it too much while inserting it cuz the oil easily comes out.

mommymeg143 · October 2014

TC0514 said:

When you girls are inserting them vaginally are you poking a hole in the gel cap or just inserting whole? I'm on my way to get some today!

I was just about to ask this!! Great question.

Do we use them like a suppoistory?

mommymeg143 · October 2014

MrsG1019 said:

@TC0514‌ -- I pierced mine-- you just gotta be careful not to squeeze it too much while inserting it cuz the oil easily comes out.

Are panty liners needed? I know my progesterone suppoistories were really messy and I had to wear them. The oil may be absorbed more though.

MrsG1019 · October 2014

mommymeg143 said:

MrsG1019 said:

@TC0514‌ -- I pierced mine-- you just gotta be careful not to squeeze it too much while inserting it cuz the oil easily comes out.

Are panty liners needed? I know my progesterone suppoistories were really messy and I had to wear them. The oil may be absorbed more though.

ABSOLUTELY!! The first time I tried it before bed, I figured all the oil would either get absorbed or leak out while peeing/wiping. In the morning after about 30 min of walking around I felt a tonnnnnn of ya know.. Ran and check and it was all the oil -- similar to progestrone waste but more oily.

JFH2010 · October 2014

So does the gelcap come out? Or does it melt? I'm confused. I want to try it but I've never stuck an herbal supplement up my vagina...also never thought I'd type that.

dbgwife · October 2014

I havnt braved using it at a suppository just yet. But I think I'll be trying that tonight!

soulcupcake · October 2014

lissydee said:

JFH2010 said:

So does the gelcap come out? Or does it melt? I'm confused. I want to try it but I've never stuck an herbal supplement up my vagina...also never thought I'd type that.

if you can reach you cervix (try when on the toilet and slide you bum slightly forward and lean your back back) then its best if you pop the capsule and apply the oil directly to the cervix if you can.

Yep. I've even used borage oil. I put a generous amount on my fingers and applied directly to the cervix. It's also what my midwife does when stripping membranes.

rox825 · October 2014

For those who are using as a suppository, if you take more than 1 capsule, do you do them at the same time or 1 in the morning and 1 at night? Luckily my appointment this week is with my midwife vs. one of the OBs, I'm definitely going to ask her about this.

kkewhitney · October 2014

@budzer‌ yes I was just reading through and noticing some mamas have delivered already, just today even! I'm 39 weeks today and wondering if that's too late to start? This was a really awesome thread ladies!

kfo22 · November 2014

I bought some today, but my mw says not to take it until 39 weeks. Hm

She also seems to expect me to go past my due date.

runningmama14 · November 2014

My mw had me start at 36 weeks when it looked like I might have to be induced any day. I'm still pregnant at 39+2 :-)

Also, I don't pierce the capsules. I know from the experience of having to pee right after I put one in that the capsule is almost completely dissolved a matter of minutes. I do push it as close to my cervix as I can though.

sAAmFam · November 2014

I have been doing this too. Vaginally and orally. Still pregnant!!!! I was dialated 3.5 cm and 75% effaced at my appt last Thursday. Still pregnant....

kfo22 · November 2014

sAAmFam said:

I have been doing this too. Vaginally and orally. Still pregnant!!!! I was dialated 3.5 cm and 75% effaced at my appt last Thursday. Still pregnant....

Hmm that makes me want to take it behind my midwife's back.... wonder how upset she'd be.

Also, would that make me a selfish, inconsiderate mother?

soulcupcake · November 2014

kfo22 said:

sAAmFam said:

I have been doing this too. Vaginally and orally. Still pregnant!!!! I was dialated 3.5 cm and 75% effaced at my appt last Thursday. Still pregnant....

Hmm that makes me want to take it behind my midwife's back.... wonder how upset she'd be.
Also, would that make me a selfish, inconsiderate mother?

Wait until 39 weeks? I've never come across a recommendation to wait that late. Both EPO and RRL are best taken weeks (months for RRL) from the start of term. I started EPO orally at 34 and vaginally here recently at 36. In my supplements sheet from my midwife it lists these dates to start. They're the most common. Some start at 33/35 if they don't have a history or concern of PTL. I was drinking nearly half a gallon a day of RRL by 37/38 weeks last time. I brewed large batches.

kfo22 · November 2014

@metaphysique She does encourage the RRL. I tried brewing huge batches (with nettles) and drinking several cups a day, but the taste was awful to me. Was so excited when I found RRL capsules with my EPO this weekend.

I'm just so worried about going too late to have a home birth! After two weeks, we have to see an OB.

ETA: Two weeks past the EDD, I should say.

soulcupcake · November 2014

kfo22 said:

@metaphysique She does encourage the RRL. I tried brewing huge batches (with nettles) and drinking several cups a day, but the taste was awful to me. Was so excited when I found RRL capsules with my EPO this weekend.

I'm just so worried about going too late to have a home birth! After two weeks, we have to see an OB.

ETA: Two weeks past the EDD, I should say.

Is she open to other methods to avoid you risking out? I know my midwife will encourage more gentle methods like acupuncture and acupressure with long walks before going the herbs route.

kfo22 · November 2014

metaphysique said:

kfo22 said:

@metaphysique She does encourage the RRL. I tried brewing huge batches (with nettles) and drinking several cups a day, but the taste was awful to me. Was so excited when I found RRL capsules with my EPO this weekend.

I'm just so worried about going too late to have a home birth! After two weeks, we have to see an OB.

ETA: Two weeks past the EDD, I should say.

Is she open to other methods to avoid you risking out? I know my midwife will encourage more gentle methods like acupuncture and acupressure with long walks before going the herbs route.

I think so, just not sure at what point she's willing to have me start. She was stressing over her other patient (who had just hit 37w) trying to induce via sex a few weeks ago, haha. I'm also not sure how far she's willing to bend the post-term rules. I'll talk to her about it tomorrow.

howin23 · November 2014

I was all ready to take this and even went out to CVS and bought it, only to learn that it can interfere with clotting. Since that's an issue for me, it's a no-go. I guess I'll have to go back to sitting on my exercise ball =/.

BabySchroeder2014 · November 2014

What brand of EPO are you ladies using?

kfo22 · November 2014

@BabySchroeder2014 Bumping so I remember to check. I think they're 350 mg capsules

sAAmFam · November 2014

@kfo22‌

I don't take it religiously. 1300mg of meijer brand. Sometimes orally. Sometimes vaginally. It melts pretty quick. I punctured it the 1st time and never did after that. Made a mess. I also do exercises on body ball that I got from spinning babies website. Started the hump and pump method. In all honesty. I'm not in labor!!! I think the baby has stopped some. I'm miserable and in pain from all the muscle soreness. I go back to dr 13th. I bet I'll be 4 cm and still not in labor

sAAmFam · November 2014

Dropped some. I'm too lazy to edit at this point in my pregnancy.

silverwings72 · November 2014

I got mine today, going to attempt vaginal tonight. I guess I'm just a little freaked out about sticking pills up my hoo ha. I never thought I would typing this lol

Npetrous · November 2014

I asked my midwife this week, she said there is no need to do it vaginally. She recommends 3000mg daily orally. She said it makes no difference how you take it, but you will have an oily mess if you insert them. Don't know...but that doesn't sound like fun to me!

sAAmFam · November 2014

I take mine at bedtime. It's actually not as messy feeling as taking progesterone vaginally. I was amazed at how that little gel tab made such a big mess!!!

KristenAndJeffrey85 · November 2014

As a ftm, I must say I believe the oil gave me a speedy delivery. I took 3000 mg daily starting at 37 weeks. I went into labor at 1:30am on my due date and delivered by 8:55am. I went from 4cm to complete in 30 minutes. It only took 4-6 pushes in 5 minutes to deliver. I really believe the epo prepared my cervix.

kfo22 · November 2014

KristenAndJeffrey85 said:

As a ftm, I must say I believe the oil gave me a speedy delivery. I took 3000 mg daily starting at 37 weeks. I went into labor at 1:30am on my due date and delivered by 8:55am. I went from 4cm to complete in 30 minutes. It only took 4-6 pushes in 5 minutes to deliver. I really believe the epo prepared my cervix.

Oooh this sounds magical.

@sAAmFam So it doesn't ooze out of you when you don't puncture it?

ETA: I had to insert some pills for an infection once, and those didn't ooze any more than pregnancy discharge... Maybe it's just oily things.

sAAmFam · November 2014

@kfo22‌

Lol! It will ooze out. I read on another thread that women were rubbing it in down there so I just do that. Something about not tearing so much down there.

soulcupcake · November 2014

WildFlower810 said:

I'm going to ask my midwife this today... but any tricks for combatting gravity when doing EPO vaginally? The capsules slide right in, then slide right back out. The only thing I can think of is to get in bed, then have H do it for me, but I'm not quite sure I want to venture *that* far.

I insert them at night, but I have just applied the oil directly to my gloved fingers and applied it on the cervix to avoid the mess and capsules coming out. Some times they stay in and other times they come out.

In my supplements list my midwife gave me it mentions doing it vaginally three times a day after 38 weeks. I think the capsules are more likely to slip out that way versus only doing it before bed. But I guess it's not really an issue once they dissolve completely and the oil is absorbed. Just have to wear a panty liner.

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