Evening Primrose Oil
Has anyone ever used this to soften their cervix and get things ready for labor (whenever it starts)?
If so- Does anyone remember the dosage? I've heard several things:
2 capsules per day
3-4 capsules per day
I'm only going to take them orally vs. inserting them in the vagina...
The ones I have are 1,000 mg a piece... so i'm thinking I should only take 2 per day. Going to confirm with my midwife tomorrow.
Curious about other peoples experiences! :)
If so- Does anyone remember the dosage? I've heard several things:
2 capsules per day
3-4 capsules per day
I'm only going to take them orally vs. inserting them in the vagina...
The ones I have are 1,000 mg a piece... so i'm thinking I should only take 2 per day. Going to confirm with my midwife tomorrow.
Curious about other peoples experiences! :)
this is what i found on several sites
Evening primrose oil is a less invasive method of triggering labor, so it can be used earlier in the pregnancy than some other methods. As soon as 34 weeks, evening primrose oil can be taken orally. It is generally recommended to take two 500mg capsules a day until 38 weeks. At that time usage can be increased to 3-4 capsules per day. An entire capsule can also be inserted vaginally. It is best to do this before bed, so the capsule can dissolve while you sleep. You can also use the oil during perineal massage
, and massage it on the cervix as well. Applying the oil directly to the cervix will produce the best results, but the ingredients in evening primrose oil can also be absorbed through the external skin or stomach
Evening primrose oil is a less invasive method of triggering labor, so it can be used earlier in the pregnancy than some other methods. As soon as 34 weeks, evening primrose oil can be taken orally. It is generally recommended to take two 500mg capsules a day until 38 weeks. At that time usage can be increased to 3-4 capsules per day. An entire capsule can also be inserted vaginally. It is best to do this before bed, so the capsule can dissolve while you sleep. You can also use the oil during perineal massage
, and massage it on the cervix as well. Applying the oil directly to the cervix will produce the best results, but the ingredients in evening primrose oil can also be absorbed through the external skin or stomach 
Info I found on it. Doesn't really give dosage though:
Evening Primrose oil is a commonly used method of naturally preparing the body for labor. It does not directly induce labor, as commonly believed. Evening primrose oil acts as a prostaglandin
, which ripens and softens the cervix. The ripening of the cervix can help the baby’s head engage deeper into the pelvis, which can help with dilation. Ripening the cervix can cause some of the contractions that start labor. Sometimes, though, these contractions are simply Braxton-Hicks contractions, which help prepare the body for labor, but do not mean you are in active labor yet. Ripening the cervix can help trigger the onset of labor, but it is unlikely that evening primrose oil will bring on labor in a woman whose body is not otherwise ready. Even if you end up having to induce labor, using evening primrose oil in the days and weeks prior to induction can still be beneficial. When the cervix has been ripened and softened, induction has a much higher rate of being successful. The ripening of the cervix may even aid in making labor faster and easier.
It is important to realize that it's never wise to try to induce labor in any way if you are less than 40 weeks pregnant. If your due date is inaccurate, you do not want to risk giving birth to a baby that will have difficulties surviving outside the womb. It is also best to always be under the supervision of a doctor or midwife when trying to induce labor naturally. Even if you just have a casual phone conversation about natural induction, it is important that your care provider is at least aware of your actions so they can give you the best of care.
Evening Primrose oil is a commonly used method of naturally preparing the body for labor. It does not directly induce labor, as commonly believed. Evening primrose oil acts as a prostaglandin
, which ripens and softens the cervix. The ripening of the cervix can help the baby’s head engage deeper into the pelvis, which can help with dilation. Ripening the cervix can cause some of the contractions that start labor. Sometimes, though, these contractions are simply Braxton-Hicks contractions, which help prepare the body for labor, but do not mean you are in active labor yet. Ripening the cervix can help trigger the onset of labor, but it is unlikely that evening primrose oil will bring on labor in a woman whose body is not otherwise ready. Even if you end up having to induce labor, using evening primrose oil in the days and weeks prior to induction can still be beneficial. When the cervix has been ripened and softened, induction has a much higher rate of being successful. The ripening of the cervix may even aid in making labor faster and easier. It is important to realize that it's never wise to try to induce labor in any way if you are less than 40 weeks pregnant. If your due date is inaccurate, you do not want to risk giving birth to a baby that will have difficulties surviving outside the womb. It is also best to always be under the supervision of a doctor or midwife when trying to induce labor naturally. Even if you just have a casual phone conversation about natural induction, it is important that your care provider is at least aware of your actions so they can give you the best of care.
Allie
Mom to 5 cuties!! 
Ages 15, 7, 6, 4 & a 3 month old sweety!
-250 Pounds since GBS!
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