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Hi everyone!
I'm 39 1/2 weeks pregnant (due this Saturday, August 30th!), and my midwife just suggested that I begin using evening primrose oil (capsules either taken orally or inserted vaginally or both) to help my cervix begin softening. I looked up reviews online and found that 9 out of 10 women who tried this swear by it, so naturally I am eager to try it as well!
I called the BomaMed office yesterday to run it by Boaz and received an answer just this morning: he said it is likely to make me flare but is up to me to try. I'm trying to decide whether a few days of increased bladder discomfort is worth the potential benefit of a shorter labor and less tearing... has anyone tried this or have any advice to offer?
Thanks so much!! :)
Sarah
I think it is a very good,
I think it is a very good, common, natura; and helpful remedy- i also think you don't absolutely need it in order to have a good birth. I probably would not do it.
I never did the EPO and had great natural births
Hmmm. I would let nature take
Hmmm. I would let nature take its course. Many women have normal labor/no tearing without EPO. I think that is a western notion, even if it is holistic, of treating a symptom. In this case, the symptom being lack of dialation. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!. It does not mean anything. Even your midwife will tell you that. My cervix checks were not that impressive, and when my body was ready, my labor/deliveries were reasonable and everything fell into place. I did take a homeopathic dose of black (or blue, need to CHECK) cohosh because after my water broke, my labor stalled a little. This helped move my labor along and prevented medical intervention. So I would be more inclined to do something like that to prevent induction, rather than something to speed up what nature already knows how to do. I hope you have already had a FRANK discussion with your midwife that you have an IMMUNE condition and cannot willy/nilly start using "natural" remedies without VERY careful consideration.
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
Sorry, to amend, your
Sorry, to amend, your situation is lack of "softening". AGain, this does not mean anything as far as I am concerned. Tomorrow could be totally different. Have the EPO discussuion again when you are several days PAST your due date!!
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
And yes the brizmans do not
And yes the brizmans do not to my knowledge ever use EPO in their practice. I imagine it could flare you. It is strong stuff.
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
Thanks, ladies! I think I'm
Thanks, ladies! I think I'm just so afraid of going to 42 weeks (at which point I would be assessed by a specialist)... So far I've had only minor period-type cramps here and there for a week or two - barely noticeable - and they have not checked me for dilation yet (to minimize the risk of infection, which I appreciate). This is my first pregnancy, so I have no idea how my body handles labor. I do know that I've always been told I'm very "tight" down/in there, so the idea of using a natural aid to loosen things up a little is appealing. She is also still quite high (not "engaged" in my pelvis), and I've read that pressure is needed on the cervix to lose the plug and begin the efacing/dilating process... *sigh*
Perhaps I'll wait until this weekend and see if anything changes; if I go past Saturday without any noticeable changes in activity or cramping, I might reconsider the EPO.
Anyway, thanks again for the quick responses - I always love getting advice from experienced and compassionate people like you ladies!! :)
I would squat :) properly
I would squat :) properly (may have to turn your toes out a bit since you are full term. Look at Katie Bowman's blog at Katysays.com called: "You don't know squat" and also look for her on Youtube). You will probably want to hold onto something when you do this! Squatting properly helps to move the baby down. Oftn with first pregancies babies dont' seem to move down right away. To my knowledge, cramps or false labor is not correlated with when the baby comes. The baby could just drop during labor. I mean, there are so many possible variations and first labors are different than second or third. I don't even see the point of checking for dialation? The baby will come when it comes? Obviously if you are way past your due date that is a different story.
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
Agree with Mi i- I would
Agree with Mi i- I would consider acupuncture and then other natural stuff if past due date to avoid intervention but you have time for that!
BTW- How wonderful and exciting that you a re so close!
haha, I've been squatting for
haha, I've been squatting for at least 5 minutes a day (sometimes multiple times a day) since I was around 4 months along!! I do other pregnancy stretches/exercises and also go for a brisk 30 minute walk every morning. I also just discovered this morning that I can still easily bend over and touch both palms to the floor, and I told my mom and midwife that I really don't feel much different than I did before getting pregnant (as far as energy level and ability to do physical things)... SO, hopefully this will help me out when the time comes!! :) Thanks again - I'll be sure to keep you posted!!
Awesome! You are gong to do
Awesome! You are gong to do fantastic!