Evening Primrose Oil

SweetnessG · May 2015

Has anyone had any luck with taking evening primrose oil?

This isn't my first, or second pregnancy, but I have never tried using it before. I have been drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea here lately for the benefits I have read and heard about for labor and delivery, and also post delivery. I had a rough recovery after my last LO and hoping to avoid this again. I read that evening primrose oil helps ripen and soften the cervix, which I'm all about considering I'm going to be induced with this pregnancy. I feel a bit spoiled and have never had this happen before, but I have also had very fast labors and deliveries. I'm just trying to avoid this labor taking forever, so I'm trying out the EPO.

I'm sure there is a thread for this somewhere, but I got tired of searching so I made this one.

taboullio84 · May 2015

I used it with one pregnancy. It might have helped with softening but I was still induced. But it was my quickest labor only lasting 3 hours. ( I was drinking the tea as well)

foxa319 · May 2015

I'm also being induced and this is my first, I was wondering about evening primrose too from anyone who has tried it! Did you take it vaginally or orally and how early did you start?
Thanks!!!

SweetnessG · May 2015

I've started this week with it and I'm only taking one pill a day orally, and then next week (36wks) I'll up the dose to two pills. My last labor was only 2 hours, but I'm terrified of being induced and it taking days.

KiwiMumof3 · May 2015

I spoke with my midwife about this last week, she said I have to hold off til 36 weeks, but she thinks that it is worth doing. I use to take it for PMT so I'm thinking it may help with crazy hormones after baby?! My sister used it vaginally and truely believes it put her in labour, I'm just gona stick with orally.....

cmcards83 · May 2015

While I can't speak to past experience as I'm a FTM too, I started taking a 1300mg EPO tablet this week under the guidance of my midwife, I'm currently 36W.

At 38W she wants me to start inserting it vaginally as well as I've had abnormal pap smears in the past. She also has suggested to me that I take Dr. Christopher's Birth Prep tablets to which all of the reviews are amazing! Apparently it helps with a shorter and more productive labor. I haven't received them yet but I'm looking forward to the results.

https://www.mynaturalmarket.com/dr-christopher-pre-natal-formula-100-caps.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwmqyqBRC7zKnO_f6iodcBEiQA9T996Akt_R2cK7rnTbykPqYMzXibAMQa4xsFBVBi1xxZoXYaAjIz8P8HAQ

thay33 · May 2015

I asked my doctor about this because I've heard such good things... And he told me to absolutely not take it. I'm so disappointed because everyone that has taken it has loved it

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

@thay33 did he give you any reasons why not?

thay33 · May 2015

dancegurl1118 said:
@thay33 did he give you any reasons why not?

He said "there isn't any research on it so why take it" I have 5 different OBs and this one in particular I haven't met yet. I plan on asking the one I've been seeing quite regularly when I go back on Wednesday just to get a second opinion.

cmcards83 · May 2015

That's a typical MD response and I'm not surprised. Correct, while there is not any research to conclusively indicate it's effectiveness, it also doesn't mean that it doesn't work.

Yes, EPO is a favorite among midwives during the last few weeks of pregnancy to assist in ripening the cervix as well as assist in possible labor induction. Here's a link from my favorite MD (Yale trained) Dr. Aviva Romm about the potential benefits of EPO, she's also a midwife.

https://avivaromm.com/labor-induction-low-natural-approaches-midwife-md

My suggestion is to do the research yourself as well and make decision that you feel is best. There's nothing to suggest that it's harmful to either you or the baby. Good luck on your decision making!

klkonwi · May 2015

Ok I need more info ...... You take the pills and does brand matter? And then you insert the pill form or a different form vaginally ?!

klkonwi · May 2015

Maybe I'm a brand whore but sometimes I insist different brands are better and what to buy the right one!

walshbunnie · May 2015

I took it orally and vaginally when I was 5 days overdue, went into labor the next day and avoided induction. I'll try it again this pregnancy once I'm past the 39 week mark.

SweetnessG · May 2015

I bought Natures Bounty. I have no idea if brands really matter, but I also feel like some brands just work better than others.

I have read that you take them orally, and then you can also insert the same pill vaginally. I also read to make sure you do it at night when you will be laying down and to wear a pad because the oil can leak out. I'm almost certain I can't reach that far, so DH should feel lucky. HA! This is my first time using it, and I have now started taking 3 pills daily, and once I hit 38 weeks, I'll start them vaginally.

cmcards83 · May 2015

I use Barlean's Evening Primrose Oil. I purchased mine at Whole Foods but I'm sure you can get it cheaper online.

MrsRucinski85 · May 2015

I used it vaginally my first pregnancy and then still had to be induced and ended up with a CS due to failure to progress.... that being said, I am gonna try it again this time around in hopes of it helping me with my VBAC!

I do suggest if you take it that you take it at night so the oil can "soak" in and not drip onto your undies. And I also suggest using a panty liner in case you still leak a little of the oil out you don't ruin the undies.

mvargas12 · May 2015

What does EPO mean? I've never heard of any of this but might ask my doctor at my next appointment

lindsladle15 · May 2015

mvargas12 said:
What does EPO mean? I've never heard of any of this but might ask my doctor at my next appointment

Evening primrose oil.
I hadn't heard of it either, but may give it a whirl!

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klkonwi · May 2015

Has anyone asked their midwives about drug interactions with this or anesthesia interactions? A few things I read online said there could be interactions but a lot of the info was vague.

klkonwi · May 2015

FYI I would ask my doc but he's so old school I'm sure he would yell at me for considering this ! Just curious

[Deleted User] · May 2015

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dancegurl1118 · May 2015

Mine too...I asked about RRL tea and the doctor at that appointment hadn't heard of it. I was like... #-o

I asked another doctor at my practice who's like 70 and he's like welp it can't hurt so....

henrytviii · May 2015

I took this with my first starting at 39.5 and had really miserable non-progressing contractions for the 2 weeks I took it. No idea if it helped in the end but I wonder if it just made me really uncomfortable but didn't change my labor situation. I think I'll pass this time around. Seems early to take it now for those at 36-37 weeks, if it works couldn't that be a little too early in some cases?

klkonwi · May 2015

Yeah I'm still on the fence. Nervous. Wondering also if the oil will cause any downstairs lady problems ? (I.E. Yeast infections etc...) ?! Anyone?!?

SweetnessG · May 2015

@klkonwi I'm wondering the same thing?! I haven't done it vaginally yet because it freaks me out to cause issues down there. At this point (36wks) I may just stick to orally.

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

Yeah I'm just gonna do it orally-- with the constant fountain of discharge/swamp ass/probably pee I really wouldn't be doing myself any favors by intentionally adding something to the mix.

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MrsRucinski85 · May 2015

MrsWilson830 said:
Oops! Just posted in the wrong thread! The app makes it really hard to keep track! But I said on the raspberry leaf tea thread that I've taken the EPO orally for over 2 weeks and vaginally and orally for 1 week and I'm so disappointed that I'm still pregnant! Anyone else think this would be the answer and I'd insert one time and still just pop my little guy out in 2 hours?? Anyone have success??

With my first I used it vaginally for like a week before my induction and it did nothing at all
This time around I have been inserting two and poking them with a pin first and taking one orally. I'm not sure if it'll actually do anything but in still gonna try lol. My OB said really the only thing proven to help is sex (vaginal manipulation) and semen but it's not gonna hurt me to try it, so here's to hoping.
I really think that the baby will just come when he/she is ready lol

dancegurl1118 · May 2015

I took one orally and had diarrhea the whole next day. Not testing it again to find out if that was the cause.

klkonwi · May 2015

I just bought the epo you guys are making me nervous. Am I supposed to start oral at 36 weeks and vag at 37-38 if I'm being induced at 39 ?!

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