Evening Primrose Oil

[jcb]

Hi :wave:

I know all about what Raspberry leaf does for you while you are pregs....But my question is Could someone tell me what Evening Primrose Oil is surpose to do and does it work at all....

Does anyone have any stories to share...

Thanks.....

[luckymama]

Hey JCB, i found this the other day when i was looking and shorty wanted to know, i posted it for her in another thread.

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.

Hope this helps

[jcb]

Thanks babe, should of just asked you first....I have never heard of it before.....

[luckymama]

oh i am good for something around here huh :p

[mel79]

I was looking at evening primrose oil in the health food shop today, and on the bottle it actually says that it helps the body to make prostaglandin, it is not actually a prostaglandin.

Probably a bit of an anally retentive point to make, but it means that swallowing them is just as effective, if not more effective than inserting them.....

[luckymama]

yep orally is what i said :thumbsup:

[Julie Doula]

Evening Primrose Oil is a source of an omega-6 essential fatty acid called Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) that is found in vegetable oils. Other sources of GLA are blackcurrant seed oil, borage oil, hemp seed oil and spirulina. Borage oil is the most concentrated source of GLAs. From GLAs, the body forms DGLA which is the precursor of prostaglandin.

Evening Primrose Oil is associated with helping the cervix to soften and ripen - just as natural prostaglandins do.

www.livingnaturally.com (http://www.livingnaturally.com) says, "Borage Seed Oil and other GLA sources whould not be used during pregnancy because they may be harmful (teratogenic) to the foetus and many induce early labour."

That's why EPO is recommended during the last weeks of pregnancy only, when its labour-inducing properties are desirable. Some believe that EPO can shorten the length of labour too. I've heard the same of Raspberry Leaf Tea.

I want to know if Spirulina, a mild source of GLAs, is safe to take during pregnancy. It's a wonderful supplement, it'd be great if it's safe for pregnancy. Anyone know anything about this?

[kylza]

as i sit here sipping on my raspberry tea i was wondering could you combine using RTL and EPO?? And those that have used either was it of any benefit???

[QTB]

I used both last pregnancy, and am again this time (just started them 3 days ago!)

i had a FANTASTIC birth, with one push! so im not risking not taking RLT or EPO lol!!