Evening Primrose Oil

[KickTheGuru]

Yay or nay?

Did you use it with a degree of success or not??

If you did, how much?

I started using 1 high strength capsule each night at bedtime from 39 weeks, went into labour on my due date. Dilated from 3-10cm in around 4 hours, but I couldn't say if it was due to the EPO or raspberry leaf tea

I used it (one high strength capsule internally at night) at 39 weeks with dc3, following day lost bit of mucus plug having had nothing (despite huge contratctions for days), next evening I used it again, and 6am the following morning labour started and was over and finished in 1.5 hours, baby nearly 2lbs heavier than my previous children, but first time of no tearing. I put the lack of tearing down to the EPO softening everything up! If I was going to have another baby, I would definitely use it again.

Why don't midwives suggest this?

I had no idea about this but it seems to be quite commonly used. I have loads of epo in the cupboard. Will deco give it a go along with raspberry leaf tea when I get closer

As in the capsules you swallow ?

I've tried clary sage oil but no luck here . Jus makes braxton hicks and makes me sleepy!

Yes cheeky - EPO contains prostaglandin which softens the cervix. If you put one inside before you go to bed, your body heat dissolves the capsule and (in theory anyway) helps to ripen the cervix

Yep, just the normal high strength capsules you get in the high street. The gelatine capsules will melt with your body heat. I read to get them right high up near your cervix to use a pessary applicator but you'll need to use a pant liner at night to absorb any oil that dribbles out. Ill be using it in a few weeks.

Right I'm gonna take a hike to holland and Barrett they do the 500 mg ones for 3.99 will that do ?

Ah you stick it up the business end! I'm going to buy it this weekend now so I won't forget closer to the time :-) how many days do u do that for?

The higher strength the better and to start taking from 36 weeks. It may help prevent tearing too seems as its an oil, Im thinking what leaks out may get on the perianal area and soften the skin. Ill be getting some EPO and more Raspberry Leaf when I get paid!

Start off taking 1000mg a day from 36w then Ive read to double the dose from 38w and insert 1 capsule each night before bed. Dont shove it right up into the cervix though just in case the membranes rupture.

I'm wondering if the poster might have also meant when trying to conceive?

How soon before labour do you have to start taking this for it to have time to be effective?

I used to take starflower oil rather than epo as the active ingredients are more concentrated. Does anyone know if you can insert/take starflower oil instead??