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:redface: Bit of an embarrassing question... I'm going to start using EPO capsules in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if it's okay to DTD after you've inserted them or if it's best to plan to DTD at other times of the day? Obviously I'm not talking about taking the EPO orally LOL. What have other people done about this issue?
Oops maybe this would have been better in the 3rd tri discussion section?? Mods, feel free to move it to where ever's appropriate!
DTD after inserting EPO will not do you any harm but things could get very messy
Hi
Can I plead ignorance here... What's EPO? Is it something you are supposed to do? How much do you insert? I've just never heard of it and wondering if I should do it soon too! (I'm 33weeks).
Evening Primrose Oil - helps ripen the cervix, contains a substance that mimicks a hormone.
Angel,
You can bd as much as you like after inserting the capsules but it will be a bit oily up there!
Wait for an hour or so until they have melted nicely - as you know seminal fluid has prostaglandins in it as well so the more the merrier I say!
EPO = Evening Primrose Oil. It is a capsule and you insert 3 of them into your vagina as high as you can. You can also take them orally. As Kelly said they help to ripen your cervix. I would suggest you start using them after 37 weeks
Hi, thanks for that.
That's 3 a day I'm guessing? What dosage? (hmmm if they even do have EPO in different dosages - can't say I've ever checked!)
I have my fingers crossed for a VBAC - is it still okay to give them a go?
You can get differing doseages 3 x 1000mg capsules inserted and I personally recommend you take the recommended daily doseage on the bottle orally as well. Ensure your fingers are clean and lie on your left side with a pillow propping up your hips after insertion (try staying in this position for about half an hour.) It's helpful to wear a pad afterward as you will obviously get an oily discharge. As you know don't insert anything into your vagina if you suspect your membranes have ruptured.
If you are planning a VBAC it would be great to try EPO.
Wishing you a gorgeous birth... :hug:
Thanks everyone.
Just another EPO question - how long does it take for the EPO to start helping? If it looks like I'll need to be induced (:(), say at around 37w, would it be harmful to start using EPO at 35w?
Hey Angel
I have just had a c/s booked for 27/3, wondering if I should try the EPO too now as well? Im 35 weeks....
Do you know what you are going to try???
Hey Alana, I think Trish(?) was saying in another thread that it was okay to start EPO orally @ 34w so you could start that now if you're hoping to go into labour naturally before you get to the c/s date. I can't stand swallowing tabs so I'm just going to start the EPO vaginally tomorrow (will be 36w then). Will do 2 capsules daily until 38w and then increase to 3. I'll probably also try using clary sage closer to my EDD.
just confirming - thats 3 at the same time isnt it? Not at 1 tablet 3 different times of the day?
Yeah, 3 at the same time and just before you go to bed is best :)
Yup 3 at once. Angel, it's only one night. Why not start tonight ;) It's not like it will make you go into labour right away or anything :)
Also I used Clary sage on my stomach when I was pg with Noah, never did me any good though. Hoping it works for you hun. I guess using the 2 together would be more beneficial too.
Wow great, thanks for letting me know!
I will go out and grab some then and give it a burl!
Thanks so much ladies!
I used cauliphium (spelling may be a little out :rolleyes:). It is a homeopathic. It is said to aid the dilation of the cervix and an easier childbirth. It is used from about 35 weeks onward. I used it with all of my pregnancies (except the first). Many women use it when wanting a VBAC - with great effect.
You would need to consult a homeopath but it is truly worth it in my opinion... :hug:
Thanks Flowerchild, i will definately look into it. Did it bring you on any earlier or just make things easier?
With the EPO internally, do you need to pin stick the capsules?
I never bothered sticking the capsules. They will disolve themselves anyway with body heat :)
Thanks Trish
So I'm guessing you used them? With success?
Alana, I used them and plenty of them. My cervix was extremely soft and stretchy and even prior to going into labour I was 3 cms dilated. Tehya's head was so far down in the last week or so it was lucky she didn't just fall out :)
The use of EPO in VBAC's is very recommended too as it ehls to soften up scar tissue. In a good way of course :)
From the birthrites site
Birthrites is a site all about VBACS. Have a look at them. it's .org, not au too :):
- Evening Primrose Oil capsules; 2-3 capsules high in the vagina, repeat 2-3x 24hr intervals
- Evening Primrose Oil acts as a prostaglandin, which ripens or softens the cervix. It's also useful for softening scar tissue from abortions or IUD damage. This will soften/ripen the cervical tissues and increase the flexibility of the pelvic ligaments. This will help the baby to deeply engage in the pelvis. This early application of the baby's head will assist with dilation and should result in a relatively easy birth, even after multiple C-sections for "stalled" labor.
Evening Primrose Oil may be helpful for women with borderline pelvises as well. The utilization of Evening Primrose Oil seems to enhance the complex set of biochemical messages that initiate labor. You can take evening primrose oil, orally, in the last four weeks of your pregnancy. You should take three evening primrose oil capsules daily for the first week (36th week of gestation) and then one to two capsules a day for the last three weeks of pregnancy.
Don't be pushed into a repeat c section if this isn't what you want.
Thanks for that Trish, I really appreciate it.
To be honest I don't really know what I want still. My labour up until my emergency c/s last time was brutal, and a repeat of that scares the living daylights out of me. But it also scares me going in for a 'cold' cesear. The emergency one I wasn't really with it and can't remember a lot of the details of it.
It's a really hard decision that my partner and I have spent many hours going over, and we were the ones that made the decision to book a c/s 39+ weeks as a back up plan.
I was induced the first time at 10 days over, and personally wouldn't want a hospital induction again.
I am keen to try and do some things naturally to bring on labour, but am content that if it isn't what is meant to happen then so be it.
I will check out that site, thanks so much.
Do you think their instructions mean as well as 2-3 capsules orally; you also take 2 -3 capsules internally 2 - 3 times per 24 hours? (ie 4 - 9 over a 24hr period) Is this from 36 weeks too?
Sweety alot of the time the induced labour is the problem in itself. Maybe you could just choose not to be induced this time. Remember that pregnancy is meant to be around 40 weeks. Of course it's totally up to you.
Tehya was my VBAC after having a c section with Noah and I was so determined to have it, and to have it my way that I had a homebirth. I realise this isn't an option for everyone though.
I wish you every bit of luck huni, and I really do hope that you get the birth that you want.
Oh yeah dosage, well I never used them that frequently internally, like I said, I only used 3 every night internally and I would take 2 orally in the morning. HTH.
Just have believe in yourself and your body, getting your mind around it all is the first big step to a better labour and birth. Even if that birth is a c section.
Thanks Trish !! :)
Trish or Deb, do you recomend a certain brand of EPO at all? Did either of you take Raspberry Leaf Tea as well?
I never really worried about what brand it was, the bigger the jar for the cheaper price is what I went for :)
And yes, I drank RLT by the truck loads too.
Relle,
I used Blackmores - I like to go with a reputable company just to be on the safe side.
I also drank RLT. Good luck Relle :hug:
Thanks ladies! :D
Did you both start taking the EPO at 37ish weeks, orally and inserting? When did you start the RLT?
Relle, The EPO I began at 38weeks. The RLT at 30 weeks.