Worried about Evening Primrose Oil! Advice?

[Ash0619]

Hey ladies,

So, the advice I get from all of you will probably be just as mixed as the advice from the internet but I thought I would explain my worries and see what you think!

So, I keep seeing controversial info online: some says to start EPO at 34 weeks and some say wait until 36. I would love to start it ASAP so that it's really done it's job by the time I go into labor, and from what I've read it won't *induce* labor, it just helps soften your cervix and will only really do it's job when your body is ready.

Well, I keep seeing ladies who start it at 34 weeks going into labor at around 36 weeks! I really don't want that- I may be singing a different tune when my due date arrives, but I really want him in there for as long as possible. These last few weeks have some important brain development happening.

The info about people going into labor early from EPO makes me think that the second my cervix starts getting even a *tiny* bit ready for labor, the EPO will kick in and put me into labor too early. But I really wanna start taking it so that it has some effect when the time comes! I'm so mixed up.

TO SUMMARIZE (LoL):
Start EPO at 34 or 36 weeks? I want to start it as early as possible so that it works well when the time comes but I want my baby to stay put for as long as possible.

 

[sar89]

Are u asking which week should you start?? If your feeling anxious about it dont start until 36 weeks.
I will be starting at 34 weeks with one every second day but thats just me.
maybe settle on 35 weeks with one every other day.?

 

[Excited4First]

I started it at 36 weeks. I'm 3 cm dilated now and I have to think that the EPO had something to do with it. I have been taking them only orally. Some women insert them into their vagina at night. I take 4 a day (2000 mg) but I started at 36 weeks taking 2 a day (1000 mg).

 

[Ash0619]

Are u asking which week should you start?? If your feeling anxious about it dont start until 36 weeks.
I will be starting at 34 weeks with one every second day but thats just me.
maybe settle on 35 weeks with one every other day.?

Thank you! Yes I was asking which week to start, but I didn't think of mixing it up! The every other day idea sounds really good.

Yesterday, I decided to take it at 34 weeks and then after taking one 500mg (orally), I found a thread and practically every woman in it that started at 34 weeks had their babies extremely early. So I've been worried every since.

 

[Ash0619]

I started it at 36 weeks. I'm 3 cm dilated now and I have to think that the EPO had something to do with it. I have been taking them only orally. Some women insert them into their vagina at night. I take 4 a day (2000 mg) but I started at 36 weeks taking 2 a day (1000 mg).

I was thinking of starting orally until full term and then inserting them at night. I wonder if it's helped you get to 3 cm! That's awesome! I hope you have a smooth and easy labor!

 

[Dk1234]

I started internally 500mg at 34 weeks and upped it at 36. It didn't put me in labor early. I'm hanging out waiting for my induction tomorrow at 3cm dialated and 90% effaced. I say start it whenever you feel comfortable.

 

[Excited4First]

I started it at 36 weeks. I'm 3 cm dilated now and I have to think that the EPO had something to do with it. I have been taking them only orally. Some women insert them into their vagina at night. I take 4 a day (2000 mg) but I started at 36 weeks taking 2 a day (1000 mg).

I was thinking of starting orally until full term and then inserting them at night. I wonder if it's helped you get to 3 cm! That's awesome! I hope you have a smooth and easy labor!

I don't know if it has, but I was certainly surprised when the midwife checked me today and said I was 3cm!!! I think it had to have something to do with it.

Edit: MW also said I am very soft and thinned, ready.

 

[_Natalie_]

I started inserting it at 35weeks, and I'm still here, and havent noticed any changes hun. I'm hoping its softening my cervix though, I dont think it will have any effect on when I go into labour, my LO is far too comfy in there

 

[pinklollipop]

I was also wondering the same, I probally wont take orally, so when would you start taking vaginally? I am 50% effaced already and this is my 3rd baby so I am thinking maybe waiting until 36 weeks? Ash0619: were you thinking of starting it orally or vag or both?

 

[Excited4First]

Personally, I would wait until 36 weeks. Especially to do vaginally. Just my opinion though.

 

[Ash0619]

I was also wondering the same, I probally wont take orally, so when would you start taking vaginally? I am 50% effaced already and this is my 3rd baby so I am thinking maybe waiting until 36 weeks? Ash0619: were you thinking of starting it orally or vag or both?

Since your cervix is already making some progress on it's own, I would be scared to start it at 34 weeks.

Here's was my plan:

34 weeks- orally- 500mg per day.
36 weeks- orally- 500mg per day and vaginally- 500mg per day.
38 weeks- orally- 1000mg per day and vaginally- 1000mg per day.

Now, I'm thinking of waiting until 35-36 weeks.

 

[stardust599]

I would wait.

I started only 4 days ago at 1000mg orally and 500mg internally but I've had irregular contractions and a bleed and it's still a little early so I have stopped incase it's connected.

 

[daisy_]

I strted at 34 weeks weeks. My capsules are 1000mg. I started taking 1 a morning and 1 before bed orally. Then at week 35 I carried on with one orally and 1 internally.

Everything seems to be fine. zxxx

 

[daviess3]

Ladies I have the tablets but when u say vaginally what are these? Sorry for the confusion? X

 

[tmr1234]

I started at 30 weeks and then vaginally at 35 weeks and i am still wating for my baby to come out

 

[Excited4First]

Ladies I have the tablets but when u say vaginally what are these? Sorry for the confusion? X

Some insert gel capsules and they "melt" over night due to body temp. I've never done it that way though. They recommend you wear a pantyliner though because otherwise it could be quite messy, lol.