I'm ready to get this party started!
I bought 1200mg capsules of EPO from Vit Shoppe just now...Was thinking of taking 2 capsules orally and then doing one vaginally before bed.
What dosage did you do? Did it help?
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I think I took it 3 times/day. I started it later than I should have (I think 38 weeks), and I was a week late. I did progress very, very quickly, so I do think it worked. I also drank a ton of Red Raspberry Leaf tea.
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@c.sassy: Whoop! Whoop!!! Glad you think it worked!
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I don't remember how much I took, but I think I started two or three, just vaginally, once a day. And, it didn't help with my first pregnancy, but with my second one, I started early (like 36 weeks) and my water broke at 38 weeks a 1 day. Good luck!!!!!
I also drank the red raspberry leaf tea.
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@MamaBehr: Oh wow, I wonder if I should stuff more than one up there tonight?
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@PrincessBaby: I also didn't do it vaginally. According to my doula it leaks out when you stand, and I was getting up SO much to pee at night.... I didn't want to deal with the mess. But vaginally is supposed to be more effective. I hope it helps!
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@c.sassy: Thank you! That would be tricky...I pee at least 2x a night....
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@princessbaby I remember with DD (first pregnancy) I had to shove like a MILLION up there, ok maybe 6? It felt like my hoo-haw had teeth. And, I did it right before bed right after I peed and just put off getting up for as long as possible.
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@MamaBehr: lol- I will put a handful up there if it works...Hahaha!!!
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@MamaBehr: wait, vagina teeth? Yikes! So I'm guessing you guys didn't try sex to jump start labor?
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Ha. Teeth. My OB said 500-1000 mg internally 2x per day. That's at 40 weeks - the dosage is different before you're considered full term.
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@Mrs. Tricycle: So that's not in addition to orally? I was thinking of just doing some combo of the two!
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I'm really curious about this, too. I was thinking of using it nearer to my due date if I wanted help to get things started.
I was trying to find info about it (protocols, etc) and was a little shocked to find a site detailing how there are actually no studies about using EPO vaginally and that the one study about oral use wasn't promising (they suggested against it; source: http://vbacfacts.com/2012/11/13/evening-primrose-oil-dont-use-it-if-you-are-pregnant/ ).
Now I don't really know what to do about it, so hearing about people's actual experience is helpful.
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@PrincessBaby: nope, just vaginally at this point. I have seen protocols when I Google that mention using both, but my OB didn't include an oral dosage.
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@LittleFox: I hadn't done any research in peer-reviewed journals about EPO, just gone with what my OB said and the anecdotal evidence online.
I just spent some time looking in scientific literature, and there's not much basis to support EPO.
This lit review was published a few months ago, and the summary says: "Most complementary and alternative medicines used for induction of labour are recommended on the basis of traditional knowledge, rather than scientific research. Currently, the clinical evidence is sparse and it is not possible to make firm conclusions regarding the effectiveness of these therapies. There is however some data to support the use of breast stimulation for induction of labour. Acupuncture and raspberry leaf may also be beneficial. Castor oil and evening primrose oil might not be effective and possibly increase the incidence of complications. There is no evidence from clinical trails to support homeopathy however, some women have found these remedies helpful. Blue cohosh may be harmful during pregnancy and should not be recommended for induction. Other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies may be useful but further investigation is needed." - Women and Birth, 25.3
So, based on that, maybe EPO isn't the awesomest thing ever?
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@PrincessBaby: I winged it, I didn't ask my OB. I started by taking the dosage recommended on the bottle for oral use. I also took a sterilized needle (burned it) and poked a hole in one, inserted vaginally, each day. I don't know for sure if it worked..it could have been coincidental, but my labor was 4 hours long! I went in on my due date at 3 pm, and was 3 cm. Water broke at 5 pm, at 7 pm I was 6 cm. By 8:15 I was 10 cm and +3 station! So..could have worked!
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Do whatever your research, your medical provider, and your own gut feeling tells you to do.
That said? I don't recommend EPO to my doula clients, because of the lack of research on its effects on pregnant women and the question of possible negative effects.
I recommend raspberry leaf tea/capsules, nipple stimulation, sex, exercise (especially stair climbing and "sumo walking" - spreading the feet out as far as you can into a squat/walk and stomping around), and acupuncture.
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Nothing got my labor started early but what I did made me labor AWEsOME! The nurses were like "your contractions are super powerful!" Even though they never got closer than 5m apart and never skyrocketed on the pain scale. I equate this to RRL tea everyday. I took 3 tablets and drank a cup of tea.
As far as EPO- I took two vaginally and 3 by mouth.
I think you're doing the right thing to take these measures because it will only make your induction easier!
good luck,hon. It's soooo close!
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I haven't started yet, but my midwives recommend taking 4500 mg a day (orally, not vaginally) starting at 36 weeks. Since I got 500mg capsules, I will take 3 capsules 3x a day.
I am already doing raspberry leaf tea several times a day.
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@PrincessBaby: I did it vaginally, took it orally and put it in my bathwater every couple of days! I started at 35 weeks. I took 3 2x a day and inserted 3-4 at night. Wear a pad or pantyliner, because it is a bit messy. If you do the bath, do about 10 capsules and squeeze the oil into the water. Even if it does nothing, it made my skin SO SOFT. lol. I had no dilation or effacement when my water broke and I was a 10cm and fully effaced in less than 6 hours. I think it really helped.
I was induced also.
good luck,hon. It's soooo close!
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