Putting evening primrose oil capsules up your fanjo

[SpaceTrain]

Has anyone done this to help ripen their cervix?

Am now at due date and no sign of baby, and I had heard that this can help.
So for the last 2 nights I have been piercing 5 capsules and placing them near my cervix.

I would have expected the empty capsule to be "expelled" the next morning. However there is no trace of them up there. Have checked the bed - they haven't fallen out in there. And they efinitely haven't dropped into the toilet in the middle of the night.

So has my body just absorbed them? And is this to be expected? Or is baby going to emerge into this world with a bunch of empty capsules stuck to her face?

[littleboyblue]

Maybe you should speak to your doctor.

[bigchris]

lol

the best thing to do is loads of walking to get the baby moving imo

[stripeypineapple]

I've never heard of that one before!

You will have just absorbed them, they won't get into your womb and in turn the baby's face, because of the operculum (mucous plug).

Labour is a hormonal led occurance so evening primrose isn't going to make a huge ammount of difference. You might have a wrinkle free fanjo though....

Try orgasms they produce hormones in your body.

[SpaceTrain]

Oh god, no way I could speak to my doctor about this - the embarrassment .

I will mention it to my midwife on Monday when I see her though. She is going to do a sweep, so might well find them all in some crevice up there!

[SpaceTrain]

So walking and orgasms? Sounds less embarrassing than capsules up my cavern

[splodge2001]

I did this. I got desperate at 40+5 for fear of induction. I'm afraid I can't comment on the specific effect of the evening primrose oil but I can tell you the cocktail of interventions that got my DD out at 41 wks.

1. As much sex as possible
2. EPO - I squeezed it in and used as much as people tended to recommned on websites
3. A bit of Nipple Stimulation
4. Loads of Raspberry Leaf Tea
5. Two membrane sweeps

INHO the membrane sweeps made the difference. They prob wont do it till u actually go post dates. I had the first at 40+4 and started having a show within 48 hrs. I had a second at 41 and within the hour I was in labour.

The great thing about having a sweep is that it stimulates a natural labour so the prognosis is as for a spontaneous labour. Given that an induction increases the chances of intervention sweeps are a great way of maximising your chances of having an intervention free birth.

good luck!

[SpaceTrain]

Thanks Splodge. Am having a sweep on Monday so hopefully that will trigger it. Not sure I can face sex though (imagine if DH got the capsules stuck to his willy!). Think I'll use the trusty rabbit for the orgasms instead.

[McSnail]

If it was the gelatine capsules, they will have been absorbed.

[Neddie]

tablespoon of Castor Oil = labour
don't do this unless you are really desperate as I had my last child in 1 1/2 hours using this- also v. powerful laxative so may end up doing two things at once.

ps Ha ha ha ha to evening primrose oil capsules what possessed you?

[SpaceTrain]

Thanks McSnail - feel a bit less worried now!

Neddie - I was advised about his in my ante-natal classes when I had my first DD, but as she was premature I didn't have to worry about encouraging her out. Not sure I can face the castor oil - the thought of it makes me want to retch. Well, unless I can put it up my fanjo...

[doulalc]

Using evening primrose capsules is a common recommendation. Most women take them orally, but it is also sometimes suggested to include vaginal insertion as well in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. Usually only a couple are suggested however. It is not meant to actually start labour, only to possibly help soften the cervix, as prostaglandins. Ask your midwife about using them.

[SpaceTrain]

Thanks doulalc. I thought I was going insane with most people's response to what I had done!!

[SOLOisMeredithGrey]

I read that you are supposed to swallow it and the natural supplement takes it's effect through the body rather than up your body iyswim, hence the advice not to take it during the first 8 months of your pg.

Swallow, swallow, swallow!