Evening primrose - does anyone know how early you should start taking to ripen cervix?

[LJ29]

Just out of interest!

I was advised to insert it per vagina by my midwife. Just pop a couple of capsules up there before you go to bed... I didn't actually do it so can't vouch for it, however I trust my midwife- she delivered my DD2 at home and she's great. You should only do it from your due date and not before.

Aha- this says orally and vaginally here

lots more out there if you google it

Thanks Rinky, sounds a bit messy to be honest!

Yes, I agree- with DD1 I was overdue and totally fed up and I went and bought a jar of EPO capsules but was never quite desperate enough to try it out! You could try swallowing them though.

never heard of this before. after acuncture, reflexology, membrane sweep, vindaloo, rasberry leaf tea, pineapple and sex my cervix is still posterior and firm apparently. Am ringing husband now to get him the buy some capsules at the chemist - will try anything......thanks for idea!

I was facing induction at 38 wks due to complications with dc5 and in desperation, used EPO capsules, inserted twice, (snip top off and use tampon applicator to reach high to neck of cervix) last thing at night.

Also took 1000mg orally daily from just after 36 wks,

dd arrived 17 days early, all on her own, only one of my 5 that ever has. So would definately use again.

wow liahgen - that's encouraging. did you squeeze the contents out of the capsure and put it on the tampon or put the whole capsule in? i'm 3 day late with number 5 and am always late so very similar position.

hiya,

No i cut op off and just put it into the end of applicator with tampon still in, inserted as tampon then removed tampon straightaway.

Never found any of it so asume it dissolved

good luck, let us know how you get on.

liahgen, sorry to ask a gross question... but was there any sign of the capsules when you were in labour/delivering? I expect they'd be noticed about as much as a fart in a thunderstorm, but one of the things that's putting me off is that I could end up with a logjam of half-dissolved capsules...

Gentlydoesit - i put a capsule in last night - clipped one end of it and shoved it up manually (not easy with massive bump in the way!!!). This morning i was intrigued and had a little feel about - sorry if TMI but no sign of it whatsoever. sadly also no sign of labour....but i notice liahgen did it twice so i might do it again tonight. i think they must dissolve quite easily.

No noe gently but to be fair it was couple days before when I'd done last one, (ie Tues and labour thurs)

But no signs of it morning after either, I expect any remains would be passed in your first wee of the day.

Just in same area as people having sex just before labour starts really, mw's have seen it all,there's so much other types of fluids anyway,

Hope it helps, not everyone's cup of tea but if no harm then why not I reasoned.

Good luck however it turns out.

Thanks garibaldi and liahgen, I think I will give it a go!

Have you tried it yet Gently?

Not yet, I have got it into my head that I should wait until I'm 38 weeks, so 2 days to go... Just one of those weird late pregnancy bits of logic! I have been taking it orally though.

Probably a coincidence, but I popped a couple of capsules in before bed when I was 39 weeks and went in to labour 4 hours later

Was worried about the capsules too, but I never saw them again!

Pushme did you pierce them or just let them disolve?

I snipped a hole in the end I think. Not too sure now tbh - seem to have forgotton quite a lot between then and now!!