EPO and RLT for a VBAC?

I've spoken to naturopaths and friends and have not got a definitive answer. The hospital dr said they don't see the benefit of either Evening Primrose Oil or Raspberry Leaf Tea for any pregnant woman, and the midwives say they don't really know. I've read information about oral EPO will soften the uterine scar, information saying inserting the capsules won't/can't soften the scar, RLT causes contractions that could cause rupture, RLT just helps the muscles work more efficiently and doesn't make contractions stronger, and then theres the information saying theres not enough information that either does anything beneficial or harmful...

So, after researching and informing myself with pretty much every idea out there regarding EPO and RLT, now I just want some experiences...
Did you take EPO and/or RLT?
When did you start?
Do you think it made a difference?
Were you having a VBAC?
If you decided not to take them, why?

TIA :)

Hi indadhanu,

I just had my VBAC yesterday & in the last few weeks were looking everywhere for positive experiences or any info that would help in a successful VBAC so wanted to share!
Did you take EPO and/or RLT? RLT tablets n liquid from acupuncturist from 32 weeks. EPO from 36 weeks (inserted n orally) was 3cm dialated at 38 weeks.
Do you think it made a difference? Def think EPO softened my cervix.
Were you having a VBAC? Yes! Emergency csection 16months ago due to baby not descending.

I went a week overdue. Contractions started 1030pm Sat night 5 mins apart. Then by 11pm they were 3 mins apart. Got to Hospital was 5cm dialated at midnight. Used gas til 2am then got epidural. They checked me just after the epi n I was 10cm. So went from 5-10cm in 2hrs. So had to wait 2 hrs for epi to wear off. Midwife didn't want me to push with epi as would tire me out, they don't like u to push for too long for vbac n thought it would def end in csection otherwise. Pushed for 1 hr but contractions all over the place. Dr had to cut me n use vacuum on last push n he was out at 5.31am. So 7hrs from 1st contraction but 2hrs of waiting for epi to wear off.

Good luck with ur vbac !

Did you take EPO and/or RLT? Yes, both

When did you start? 34 weeks with RLT, 36 weeks with EPO.

Do you think it made a difference? Maybe not with the EPO, but with the RLT definitely.

Were you having a VBAC? VBA2C.

If you decided not to take them, why? I decided to take them because of all the evidence pointing towards making your contractions more efficient. I didn't read anywhere where they could cause a rupture. I believe RLT was the reason I had relatively short labours both times for my VBACs.

Did you take EPO and/or RLT? Both with DD3, RLT only with DD1 and DD2
When did you start? RLT 34 weeks with DD1-born at 36+2 (PPROM), 35 weeks DD2-born at 35+6 (PPROM), 36 weeks with DD3 born at 37+4 EP) orally from 36 weeks with DD3 then internally from 37 weeks
Do you think it made a difference? Unable to tell as I took RLT with all three and had a very similqr time for active labour with each girl (approx 6-6.5hrs). I was concerend that not taking it may have made a difference so I had it with each pregnancy
Were you having a VBAC? No
If you decided not to take them, why? N/A

My midwife suggested it for my first pregnancy. After having a preterm birth I discuseed it with my midwife and the hospital ob (I saw one with each subsequent pregnancy once as I had a preterm birth) neither suggested it would have caused the preterm births but I delayed taking it slightly each time and they all came at slightly different gestations.

With DD3 I was taking the highest reccommended dosage of RLT on the packet but had to back off as it was making my BH uncomfertable and I got a bit crampy with it. With the EPO I also had a half dose of the reccommended as TMI but I got the runs with the higher dose

Internal EPO is messy and best done at night with a pad on. I am not a tea drinker so was taking RL Extract tablets by blackmores. My girls birth stories are in my sig if you wanted to see how my labours progressed, what impact the EPO/RLT had on either I have no idea but if I was pregnant again I would take them again. Also DD1 was early but only in SCN for 8 hrs due to being slightly cool and DD2 was early and we went home the next day, my midwife and I both think I grow my babies quickly as DD2 and DD3 were like full term bubs when born in terms of size/feeding and breathing

Best of luck with your VBAC!

The hospital doctor is talking out of his/her backside, or is terribly uninformed. There is evidence, actual peer reviewed hard science, that shows RLT leads to shorter second stage.

I have no idea about VBAC though. MNB's methods seem to work ok though!

Did you take EPO and/or RLT? Yes, for both my sons. Am 30 weeks with my 3rd boy.
When did you start? EPO vaginally from 37 weeks, but I started orally earlier. RLT, the tea from 28 weeks, starting with one cup and building up to the capsules. Both boys were both (spontaneous labours) at 38 + 2.
Do you think it made a difference? Yes.
Were you having a VBAC? 2nd son was a successful VBAC.
If you decided not to take them, why? I asked my MW and she said no dramas with the EPO, but the RLT could cause irritable uterus, so if I was getting lots of BH to stop the RLT. I didn't notice an increase in BH, so I kept it up. My MW thought both RLT and EPO could increase my chances of a successful VBAC. I read that insertion of EPO helps to 'ripen' the cervix, that's why it's recommended that you wait until you are 37 weeks or later, so that your baby is full term.

Good luck with your VBAC!

Took RLT from about 28/30 weeks (cant exactly remember now :lol:!!)
Successful VBAC bit under 5 hour labour (no drugs) only just made it to hospital !!
Wonderful - swear by the RLT !!

Didnt do the Evening Primrose so cant comment on that - maybe I should have as I had to have an episiotomy.

Best of luck - IMO I dont think it hurts to give it a go.
:hug:

I took RLT tablets from 34 weeks and I went 2 weeks over and achieved my VBAC. Im not sure if it helped or if it didnt but I didnt see the harm in trying it. My Ob told me to give it a go and didnt mention anything about it hindering.

Didnt try the EPO - Maybe I should have as I did have a 3rd degree tear.

The EPO is said to ripen the cervix, has nothing to do with the uh... exit hole stretching ;)

I didn't have huge tears, but we did the peri massage - I think thats what helped me.. loosen up a bit.. LOL

Did you take EPO and/or RLT? - Yes, both - only during my fourth pregnancy.

When did you start? - RLT as actual tea, from about 30 - 32 weeks and capsules from 34. EPO insertion from about 36 weeks (from memory)

Do you think it made a difference? Hmmm not sure. 4 labours and all very different. I don't know that the EPO made much difference? I went 10 days post dates which is pretty standard for me but then again I did dilate super quickly once labour started. The RLT, again, hard to say but my contractions were very regular, about 5 min apart from early labour right through to 2nd stage and delivery

Were you having a VBAC? Yes, successful VBAC.

If you decided not to take them, why? I can tell you why I did - because after the reading I did I couldn't see any increased risk factors - they are used to assist, tone the uterus, not induce labour. And I checked with a hospital midwife & she said fine - no guarantees they would help but certainly no harm.

For anybody worried about tearing, like MNB said - you're better off looking at massage and positioning - I had a fairly large tear but I believe that was due to being on my back. And she was a big baby :lol:

Thanks everyone :-) Since being diagnosed with GD and with it the insinuation that I'll be 'on a time limit' with how far they'll 'let' me go and how long they'll 'let' me labour, so I've decided to give it a go - I think I'd regret it if I didn't try it. I got some raspberry leaf tea today - do you think 28 weeks is too early to start drinking it? Or should I wait 2-4 weeks and then start?
When coupling the tea and the capsules, what capsules did you use and how many?

Also, I'm not going to start EPO insertion until 36 weeks, did anyone do orally as well? Did you start the EPO earlier orally?

Sorry for all the questions ... I'm getting to the business end now ;)

Nothing wrong with giving it a go, but if it makes you feel sick or you get too many BH's - stop taking it for a while, or don't take as many. I only drank the tea and that was enough. I was up to 5 cups of tea when pregnant with Eden, but I was starting to feel sick, so I dropped it to 3 a day and it was fine.

I didn't take any EPO orally.