When to start EPO

[Charlotte91]

I'm not a huge herbal tea fan, but I will start RLT one day.

But, when should I start taking EPO (inserting and taking orally)?

Reeeeally can't go into labour before 37w due to having no-one to watch DD as my parents will be overseas.

I don't want to start taking it too late, either.

TIA

[PumpkinZulu]

I started at 36 weeks I believe. I inserted One each night and took one orally. Possibly uppe that to two a piece from 38.5 weeks, I can't remember.

Also, you can get RLT as tablets. I just drank the tea, I loved it black. For me, I believe both EPO and RLT helped my body labour and birth tremendously. I didn't have any VE's in pregnancy, so I don't know if I was dilated before labour, but I had one on admission to hospital, and after being in labour for about 2 hours I was 6cm. My labour was 6 hours total, my contractions were extremely efficient. I'll definitely be using both again.

ETA just asked DH, it was two inserted to orally from 36 weeks, 3 inserted 3 orally from 38.

[BlackRose]

I started EPO this week at 36 weeks. 2 tabs inserted at night and 3 orally.

I dont like the tea either, so I'm taking RL tabs, 3000mg / day.. started this at 32 weeks, building up from 500mg/week.

Hoping this helps! I'm willing to try anything!

[Janie71]

I'm going to sound really uneducated here, but what is EPO? I know RLT, but am unsure about the EPO.

Thanks!
Janie xxx

[Silver Bell]

sorry to jump in and not know what this is about but i find it interesting... what is EPO and RLT and why do you are start taking it?

[PumpkinZulu]

EPO is evening primrose oil. It's a natural prostaglandin, which is what helps to soften and dilate the cervix. You insert it and take it orally to help prepare your cervix for ripening and labour. RLT is raspberry leaf tea/tablets. Raspberry leaf is a uterine toner, as the uterus is one big muscle, so it prepares and tones the uterus, to condition it to have very efficiently working contractions during labour.

[Silver Bell]

Oh thank you for explaining that! great info to have later down the track...

[Enchanted]

I used the RLT tablets with DD & they were great. I drank the tea also, I didn't like the taste of it on it's own but added a big teaspoon of honey & it was delish!!

[Silver Bell]

Does doing this increase the chances of prem labour?

[Charlotte91]

That's why I'm not starting til 36 weeks. At least bub is basically cooked by then.

[PumpkinZulu]

No, I don't believe it does. Neither are induction techniques, the body won't be put into labour by using either of these alone, they simply help an already ready body itms.