The Imperfect Community

becky2005 · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:40 am Post subject: Evening primrose oil

My OB recommended that I start taking EPO tablets. She said they can't hurt anything and may help ripen the cervix and prepare the uterus for labor. She's really into me going VBAC so she wants me to take 3 tablets a day until I go into labor or my scheduled c-section date of 3/20.

I am curious if anyone here has used EPO and what your experience was. It was only $4 for a bottle of the 500mg gel caplets at Trader Joe's so I figured...what the hell?

Sewingsiren · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:44 pm Post subject:

Becky,
I birthed all three of my children with the assistance of Midwives they are big on EPO Wink

.I took EPO orally toward the end of pregnancy, with my 1st and 3rd children.
1st born- I was totally effaced and partially dilated several days before she was born. She was born on her due date, approx 13 hrs of labor.
2nd born- I was totally effaced and partially dilated about 1 month before he was due, so I didn't take EPO. He was born 2 weeks after his due date!I had about 5 hrs labor.
3rd child- Again I was effaced and partially dilated well before his due date, I did take some EPO, but I wasn't as religious about it as with #1. He was born 5 days late. Again about 12-13 hrs labor.
I really don't know if the EPO made any difference, but my experience with it was good.

DietCokeHead · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 29 Apr 2002 Posts: 3805

I used it and it did a big fat nothing for me but if it won't hurt.. you might as well take it!

honeybee · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 20 Dec 2002 Posts: 3163

I did with Owen. I took 1 pill 3 times a day orally and then also inserted two of them against my cervix at bedtime. I started this at 38 weeks. It didn't do anything for me at all. At 40 weeks I was still hard, closed tight, up high....

becky2005 · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks for sharing ladies!
I forgot to mention that at my last appt I was 3 cm dialated and about 50% effaced. I know I could easily walk around 3 cm dialated until my c-section date (March 20) but I guess the EPO can't hurt anything and might help, right? DH is all about giving sex a try. I don't know how he can even be attracted to me right now!
I'm really not in a big hurry to get her out though. Knowing that I have 3 weeks or less is kind of freaking me out.