evening primrose oil: is it safe?

[conni]

I have heard that it is beneficial to take evening primrose oil 3*500mg a day from 36 wks in pregnancy as it helps to ripen the cervix. Does anybody know?

My midwife recommendednI start taking it when I was 32 weeks. This was due to low moods and tearfulness, though- didn't mention ripening of cervix!
I'm 37 weeks now, and the mood is better though.

I'm going to stop taking it now.

bump

I understod it should be avoided during pregnancy, not sure where I got that from though.

Thanks. I am not going to take it then.

Hi Conni

I have 3 children oldest being 16 and the youngest 3 years of age, and it has been known for many years that if you take oils towards the end of pregnancy, it speeds up delivery of the baby and this would be a very large dose, however, I am also a nutritionist and a deficiency of Essential fatty acids may lead to a poorly developed central nervous system and may lead to growth retardation with slow growth of the brain and a low body weight. During pregnancy supplementation of essential fatty acids and fish oils, provides the vital nutrients that come with the demands of nutritional and metabolic demand on the body throughout gestation. Toxicity of oils can happen when it is taken in high doses, however if it is taken in coordination with a vitamin E supplement this prevents toxicity, after looking at the product their doses do not fall into the high dose category. Essential fatty acids aid the development of new cell growth , new organ systems and tissues in the fetus and this needs to be in supply of good amounts from the mother. Hope this is helpful, having gone through three pregnancies myself there is always a worry that you are not taking in enough of certain foods and supplements and to also ensure you are protecting your baby.

All the research I've done seems to refer back to this . I don't think there's much info about dosages though.

Sorry if this is just adding to the confusion...

I've accessed the research paper and it says that the criteria for inclusion was 500 mg of evening primrose oil taken 3 times a week. This is alot but i guess its not a good idea to be popping many epo pills. mumomgega sounds fine, i might try it