Evening primrose oil--waht does it do, exactly?

my midwife wants me to take it... i forgot to ask more about it because there was a bit of a scare with protein in my urine %26amp; high BP %26amp; being put on temporary bed rest...



she said take one or two a day %26amp; it's supposed to prevent me from going overdue...



but what *exactly* does it do?

Evening primrose oil--waht does it do, exactly?
After doing a google search, this is what I came up with:



'Because Evening primrose is high in essential fatty acids, evening primrose oil is thought to play a unique role during pregnancy. Because of the rapid development of new cell growth, new tissues, and new organ systems in a developing fetus, the body requires a large amount of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids, of course, must come from the mother.'-- http://www.amazingpregnancy.com/pregnanc...



'It is used during pregnancy in attempts to shorten the duration of labor.'-- http://nccam.nih.gov/health/eveningprimr...
Reply:nce touted as "the King's Cure-all", evening primrose oil has been praised for centuries for its healing powers in a wide range of ailments. The secret of the evening primrose is in the seed, which contains the essential fatty acid GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid). Most of the health benefits of evening primrose oil come from this powerful substance.



Research has also shown GLA to be beneficial for a number of other conditions including:



* arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, where studies with GLA show significant improvement in joint stiffness, swelling, and overall discomfort

* skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis where research has shown that eczema may be linked to a GLA deficiency

* cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and high blood cholesterol

* diabetic neuropathy

* improved immune function

* certain forms of cancer
Reply:It's great for preparing for labor. The fatty acids are great for the skin, and stretchability.

Also (you may want to confirm this with your midwife to make sure it's okay for YOU... I don't want to get you in trouble) but if you also insert 2 into your vagina at about 38-39 weeks pregnant, they will help soften your cervix for dilation. Put them in before you go to bed and they will stay there and dissolve.

I've heard they have great success!