Evening primrose oil...

[Talia12]

Sooo I started taking 2000mg of EPO a day, orally. I've seen lots of women online saying they took 3000mg+ but the bottle says 2 a day so that's what I'm doing.

However I'd like to try inserting it vaginally too (probably won't do this until I hit 39 weeks), but I'm not sure how, and also my capsules seem quite hard/thick-skinned?! They are technically the soft gel type capsules, but just don't seem like they'd burst that easily. Even if I prick them, won't I be left with nasty thick capsule shell goop inside me? What if I burst the capsule and used a syringe type thing to insert just the oil? (Was thinking of using a thrush pessary applicator for this...)

Anyone got any advice for me on this?

 

[Stormynights]

My midwife said I could start taking it orally for a week, then at 37 weeks just prick the capsule and insert vaginally. I'm not 37 weeks yet, so I have no advice beyond that. I've heard of people oozing the oil out to massage their perineum though, so I don't see why you couldn't just insert the oil.

*Also I know I'm almost 36 weeks, I'm not trying to get the baby out sooner than needed, but they induced me last time at 37 and it was horrible... and they don't want me going passed my due date this time, so if I don't deliver before 40 they will induce me again. Also my MW said it doesn't induce labor, just helps with other things.

 

[Talia12]

Thanks! Do you have the capsules already? Are you in the UK, if so what brand capsules do you have? Mine just seem so thick and firm that I don't think they'd "pop" inside me

Oh I know, I'm not really trying to get baby out early either - to be honest I don't believe any of the natural at-home methods to help things along would make you go into labour before baby was ready anyway, so I don't worry about that. For me the methods I'm using are more aimed at hopefully having an easier time of it once labour does start!

 

[Kirstiedenman]

The capsules just dissolve once put inside but prewar make sure your wearing panty liners as you do get the oil coming out. I wasn’t a huge fane of putting the whole capsule in so I did prick mine in the end and syringe but it was much messier that way.

I will be using mine from 35 weeks this time as I am being induced at 39 weeks and I want to go before then.
With using them last time I was already 3cm at 37 weeks and I only used them for 2 weeks along with raspberry leaf tea.

 

[luci and bump]

I used them with my last pregnancy, first I took them orally, then started inserting them (I can't remember at which stage I did though) obviously I have nothing to compare it to, but I went from 4cm to pushing within an hour, so dilated very quickly! I intend to take it This time round too, along with red raspberry leaf tea capsules, which I have already started

 

[Talia12]

Thank you ladies! That's really helpful.
I'm doing the tea too, been having it since 33w and now on 4 cups a day although I did it with my son too and still had a reeeally long labour...hoping the EPO might make the difference this time haha!
Decided I'm going to try inserting the whole capsule tonight and if it doesn't dissolve or whatever then I will try syringing from tomorrow. Thinking it's actually not too early to start.
I was also concerned that if I do go into labour and they examine me at the hospital they might find a semi-dissolved capsule and tell me off...

 

[Stormynights]

I would imagine the vagina is warm enough to dissolve/melt the gelatin capsule.
I plan on doing it at night time when I move to inserting them. I'm in the US but I got Spring Valley brand in 1000 mg.

 

[Talia12]

I would imagine the vagina is warm enough to dissolve/melt the gelatin capsule.
I plan on doing it at night time when I move to inserting them. I'm in the US but I got Spring Valley brand in 1000 mg.

Thank you! Mine are 1000mg too. I'm sure you're right about the warmth! Guess I'll find out tomorrow morning haha

 

[Stormynights]

I would imagine the vagina is warm enough to dissolve/melt the gelatin capsule.
I plan on doing it at night time when I move to inserting them. I'm in the US but I got Spring Valley brand in 1000 mg.

Thank you! Mine are 1000mg too. I'm sure you're right about the warmth! Guess I'll find out tomorrow morning haha

Let me know!