Evening Primrose Oil

[bfoster2000]

How much and how often? With the recent developments (high bp, rapid weight gain, crazy swelling, protein in urine, etc.) it's looking like the best thing for me is to get this baby out sooner rather than later. No problem since I'm 37.5 weeks but my MW says my cervix is too "green" to induce me at this point. I don't really want to be induced, but I don't like the notion that my cervix isn't even starting to get ready either! So I bought some EPO at the herb store to give it a shot. Each capsule is 1300 mg. The bottle says take one daily but I'm assuming that means to take it by mouth. The lady at the herb store told me to poke a hole in a capsule and insert it next to the cervix. Just one...once a day? Or what? Are there any risks or any reasons I shouldn't be doing this? Thanks!

[amymom2molly]

idunno about taking any of that stuff...but i do know someone who put her self into labor just by eating a nice big bowl of fresh rasberrys with whip cream couldnt hurt to try

[skayers01]

At my midwife's recommendation, I took 3 500mg's orally and 3 vaginally (fun) every night before bed. It's not going to put you in labor, it just gets your cervix all nice and soft and ready to go! My midwife also stripped my cervix and manipulated in forward a little using the oil.
Be careful with inducing yourself, I did it with my daughter a week before my due date and I had an awful time. Contractions a minute apart, and 2 cm dialated! I was doing things to give myself contractions before my cervix was ready to dialate. I didn't know enough not to. My dd ended up having to be vaccuum extracted b/c of fetal distress. She still has a slight bump there! This time I waited for my ds to let my body know when he was ready to come out. I went a week past my "due date", but my labor was amazing. I'm not trying to lecture, because I know you have medical reasons. I just don't want to see yourself having a "bad" birth experience. My SIL just had a c-section, because she let her dr induce her on her "DD" so he could go on vacation! Can you believe it!!
Anyway, good luck! I wish you a very soft cervix, followed by many centimeters of dialation!!!

[skayers01]

Originally Posted by bfoster2000 Are there any risks or any reasons I shouldn't be doing this? Thanks!

No risk because it's not inducing you.

[jesusismyjoy]

I always used 1500mg orally per day and then at bedtime I poke a hole into 2 capsules and insert them vaginally as close to the cervix as I can (or have your dh do it) beginning around 36-37 weeks. Actually though I've been told you don't "have" to poke them as they will disolve overnight.