How soon did you start EPO? Is 32 weeks too early?

Just wondering how soon you all started EPO (orally and vaginally)?

I started on insulin today for GDM, now have a 'time limit' (read: ideal situation for the drs) of birth at 37-38 weeks, they would reluctantly allow me to go to 39 weeks, and advise against going beyond 39 weeks. VBAC is still an option if they don't suspect 'macrosomia' and if I go into labour spontaneously OR if at 37-38 weeks my cervix is 'favourable' for 'mechanical induction' (S&S, ARM, balloon). But I'll be given 12 hours from onset of contractions to birth (easier for them to monitor if I'm induced, but I'd rather go into labour spontaneously and let them count from when I ring to tell them I am coming in...). That's the terms I have been given anyway, not necessarily how things are going to go down.

Anyway, so I'm wondering if maybe I shoud start the EPO earlier to 'prime' my cervix in case induction is necessary? Or ideally start spontaneous labour, dilation etc. How early would be too early? I was going to do 2x orally in the morning and 2x vaginally at night? Should I gradually build up or just start it all? What would you do regarding the EPO?



(I do know about how much better it is so hold out to 39 weeks. I do know I am within my rights to refuse etc etc etc but I've done the research, I have the information, I've drawn my own lines of what I will fight and where I will stop, and my informed decisions do align somewhat with the hospital policies for a range of reasons.)

I'd be tempted to start earlier too then :think:

what is the 'normal' time that ppl do EPO (i thought 34 weekish)? considering your time is like 2 weeks shorter in terms of when baby is wanted to be here...sounds about right??

No expert though unfortunately :lol:

Haha, thanks Cassius.

That's my theory - I've read anywhere from 34-36 weeks for EPO (usually 34 for oral and 36 for vaginal). Now my 'due date' is now been brought to early-mid November (in their minds) so I'm going on 4-6 weeks out from that date rather than 36-37 weeks. So it'd be 32 weeks oral and 34 weeks vaginal if I went like that? That's my very unexpert opinion as well PMSL.

well, i concur bahahaha!

Are you looking into other things as well? Like acupressure, acupuncture etc? the calmbirth/hypnobirth training might really help here visualisation wise IYKWIM

:-( ah, crap. I'd be inclined to start earlier too hun, even on a lowish dose.

Yeah I've made appointments for acupunture and massage treatments from now until labour, and I've been in contact with my Hypnobirthing instructor who is a wealth of information. She's phoned me and talked me through a few visualisations I can do, and is making me feel very calm (even about the prospect of a repeat cesarean).

Bump :bump:

I thought I started around 32 weeks but I'm not 100% sure. that was orally and then vaginally at maybe 36w.

Hmm I'd say probably hold off inserting for at least a few weeks preferably until 35wks or so. A low dose orally I'd think would be alright though... What gestation were your dds born? If they were overdue or close to 40wks it would be less worrying but if (like me) you tend to go early anyway I wouldnt risk pushing things too soon iykwim. The other thing you could look into if you haven't already would be red raspberry leaf, drinking the tea is much more potent so kinda same thing maybe take tablets for a while :dunno:
Of course lots of squaring etc to encourage bubby into position and try 'drop' will help put a little extra pressure on cervix. I really hope you are able to get the vbac you want though :)

oh yeah! and the spinning babies website for good tips on optimal fetal positioning...good to brush up on that too i reckon. like HSM mentioned, we want this bubba to be in an awesome possy for cervix ripening!

Been doing the spinning babies :D Well, by 'doing' I just mean making sure I'm always in a good position, posture, walking well, sitting well etc. She's in an awesome position, the drs always comment on how low she is and the last one also jiggled her head up and down out of the pelvis (I think he was just checking that it was her head? lol). No comments on if she is engaged but that doesn't really matter too much at this point. I have this 'feeling' that if I can just go into labour, the rest will come naturally for my body, I've just always had the feeling this time that my body is working, I've never been worried that I can't VBAC, just that now I need to go into labour.

Have been drinking the tea - one cup a day - since 28 weeks, tried to increase but I'm not a huge RLT fan so I think I'll keep one cup a day, maybe go to two in a few weeks, and just start the capsules. My DD was born at 40 weeks exactly (a day off her 'due' date) so I'm not terribly concerned about the possibility of going before 36-37 weeks.

Hi Indadhanu,

I have decided that I will start RLT tomorrow and take orally the EPO from 34wks... My DD came almost 3 weeks early so I dont want to start the EPO too early just in case. MW today found DS head down and measuring 2 weeks ahead, so I am guessing another early one for us is on the cards too. RLT is not really my fav either, should try some new ways of making it sweeter or something lol..

Glad that you feel your body is 'working' this time round... Really hoping you can go into labour by yourself at 37weeks, why not say 36+6 for good luck :D

Yeah I can't stand RLT on its own yuck! But when I've had it before I'd usually put it in with a different 'fruity' herbal tea and it was definitely bearable like that :)