Evening Primrose Oil?

babymackey · April 2016

Thinking about starting evening primrose oil supplements next week (I'll be 37 weeks) in order to begin softening the cervix (I've read that you should start supplements a few weeks before due date because it takes some time) but have I heard mixed things. Is there any risk/danger in it? Anybody have success stories? Experiences with this? Please let me know! TIA!

ayeshaohara · April 2016

Pharmacist advice:

my resource tells me this

"PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally. Evening primrose oil might increase the risk for pregnancy complications, including delayed rupture of membranes, oxytocin augmentation, arrest of descent, and vacuum extraction (1411). Evening primrose oil has also been linked to a report of petechiae and ecchymoses in a newborn infant whose mother who took 6.5 grams a week before giving birth (16303); avoid using."

There is also insufficient reliable evidence to suggest it actually does what you're stating or helps improve pregnancy related complications.

Further this this EPO can also thin the blood...not something ideal when you're giving birth considering the amount of bleeding that already occurs.

In my professional opinion I would definitely recommend you NOT to use it.

Lusitano8 · April 2016

I've been told not to take it until 38 weeks because you don't want to start anything early. And to check with your OB/midwife before starting. I've heard mixed reviews that it can help or do nothing at all. I plan to try it when I hit 38/39 weeks.

gemini2005 · April 2016

ayeshaohara said:

Pharmacist advice:

my resource tells me this

"PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally. Evening primrose oil might increase the risk for pregnancy complications, including delayed rupture of membranes, oxytocin augmentation, arrest of descent, and vacuum extraction (1411). Evening primrose oil has also been linked to a report of petechiae and ecchymoses in a newborn infant whose mother who took 6.5 grams a week before giving birth (16303); avoid using."

There is also insufficient reliable evidence to suggest it actually does what you're stating or helps improve pregnancy related complications.

Further this this EPO can also thin the blood...not something ideal when you're giving birth considering the amount of bleeding that already occurs.

In my professional opinion I would definitely recommend you NOT to use it.

Wow- I had no idea it was potentially dangerous. I am a little upset that my OB said it was okay during my two previous pregnancies. I will be avoiding it this time for sure.

ayeshaohara · April 2016

gemini2005 said:

ayeshaohara said:

Pharmacist advice:

my resource tells me this

"PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally. Evening primrose oil might increase the risk for pregnancy complications, including delayed rupture of membranes, oxytocin augmentation, arrest of descent, and vacuum extraction (1411). Evening primrose oil has also been linked to a report of petechiae and ecchymoses in a newborn infant whose mother who took 6.5 grams a week before giving birth (16303); avoid using."

There is also insufficient reliable evidence to suggest it actually does what you're stating or helps improve pregnancy related complications.

Further this this EPO can also thin the blood...not something ideal when you're giving birth considering the amount of bleeding that already occurs.

In my professional opinion I would definitely recommend you NOT to use it.

Wow- I had no idea it was potentially dangerous. I am a little upset that my OB said it was okay during my two previous pregnancies. I will be avoiding it this time for sure.

they continue to recommend drugs/products that the pharmacy community do not regard as safe. While the OB themselves may have had patients use the products without issue it doesn't necessarily make it safe. Why take anymore unnecessary risks if you don't have to? That's the way I look at it.

gemini2005 · April 2016

@ayeshaohara I completely agree. It really makes me suspicious of things they recommend sometimes. Actually, I just asked the nurse practitioner at my last appointment if I could start the evening primrose oil and red raspberry leaf tea and she said to wait until I see the doctor but she would advise against it. Since they aren't FDA approved, she wouldn't risk it. Maybe they know more than the doctors?!? Oh well, thanks for the info!!

jenl1681 · April 2016

I used it vaginally with DD starting at 38 weeks, as a replacement for having sex to soften cervix. Just inserted it up to my cervix at bedtime and then wore a pad. It made my cervix "butter soft" and helped with effacement. I had to be induced at 42 weeks and because of that my cervix was ready and I didn't have to come in the night before for the suppository, just came in mid morning and started pitocin

helleebellee · April 2016

I'm already on blood thinners and EPO and red raspberry leaf tea are on the "no" list. I wouldn't do EPO anyway as I tried it before and it did nothing for me.

lisaren · April 2016

Epo and RRLT are suggested by my midwives. I used it in my last pregnancy and had great results!
I've started RRLT now and will start Epo next week.

AdorkablePixie · April 2016

Hmm.. interesting that's its supposedly unsafe. My midwife office has their patients take it and I was actually just instructed this morning to start taking it daily until labor starts.

Pharmacists also say that taking Tylenol during pregnancy is unsafe as well and most all OBs and midwifes say it's okay to take.

I think as long as you aren't taking too much, it's fine. I am taking the dose recommended by the midwife.

ayeshaohara · April 2016

Tylenol is considered safe in pregnancy. There is some evidence that use should be limited in 3rd trimester but it is generally regarded as safe by the medical community. Let's put the correct information out there please.

I am only providing you with the information provided to me by reliable sources...I've said it a few times and I will unapologetically and not so tactfully say it again...midwives don't know anything about medications. They don't get any training in it. I would never take their advice over that of my pharmacist or OB.

At the end of the day you all make your own decisions about what to put into your bodies. It's a risk vs benefit. You decide to take EPO, I decided to have small drink of alcohol last week. It's no different because I know technically I shouldn't but I did it anyway. Every time we ingest something we make that decision sometimes just more consciously than other times.

Just so long as you have the CORRECT information to make informed decisions...that's what I've been aiming to provide you with

AdorkablePixie · April 2016

A pharmacist is the one who told me that I should not be taking Tylenol while pregnant, at all. I can't remember what reason she gave me, it was a while back in my first trimester. I told her that's the only thing ANY doctor says is "safe" to take while pregnant. I know taking nothing is best, but sometimes that's just not going to happen.

ayeshaohara · April 2016

AdorkablePixie said:

A pharmacist is the one who told me that I should not be taking Tylenol while pregnant, at all. I can't remember what reason she gave me, it was a while back in my first trimester. I told her that's the only thing ANY doctor says is "safe" to take while pregnant. I know taking nothing is best, but sometimes that's just not going to happen.

Don't know where they're getting their info but it's incorrect...and concerning...and it certainly doesn't help my argument either which makes me frustrated. Unfortunately just like most professions you get good ones and bad ones!

LadySamLady · April 2016

What are the reasons that people's midwives/OBs recommended EPO? When I emailed my OB to ask about it she said "evening primrose oil has GLA that helps with breast pain - not sure about helping with labor."

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