Eve. Primrose oil - how much to help labor not to be late?

I am officially 39 weeks tomorrow, due 12/25.



I have read so much about it but I am still confused. I have been taking 1 cap. 2 times a day in hopes of helping my labor to be more on time. I know this is wishful thinking but I am feeling so guilty (silly, I know) about expecting on the 25th (8 days away!)



I have been home for Gest. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) since 10/31 but since I have been off of work (a Pre-K Teacher) my BP has been good (went up during a short trip at Thanksgiving). I was hoping that my Dr. would not want me to go over due b/c of the Hypertension, but she told me the earliest she would induce is 1/2! I almost had a heart attack! Next year! My Dr/hospital does not do any internal exams so I have NO idea if I am dialted or anything. I really want to get things going, it would be nice if she is here before the holiday madness but I am ok if she comes during it.



My ?: How much Primrose oil should I take? Will it even help? What about the Rap. Tea too? Help!

Eve. Primrose oil - how much to help labor not to be late?
You can continue taking 2 capsules of Evening Primrose if you want, but it's not guaranteed to help. I took it (and the Raspberry Leaf) for 2 weeks and neither had any effect.



Don't worry about expecting on the 25th, by the way. There's actually only about a 5% chance of your baby being born on the due date.



I understand what it's like to be impatient to have your baby in your arms, and I can only imagine how bored you must be after having been forced to rest for so long. But, if your hypertension is under control, it would really be best to wait until you go into labour spontaneously.



I was induced at 42 weeks and, trust me, it isn't all that fun - induced labour is much, much more painful. I'd really like to have gone into labour when my body and my baby was ready - and so wouldn't have had such an intense time of it. In my experience, to go on with a medication-free birth after induction, you have to be very committed. I did manage it, but it was very, very challenging. Getting off-topic here, but I just wanted to advise you to avoid induction unless it's really necessary.



Having said that, knock yourself out with the raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, drives along bumpy roads, pineapple, sex, clary sage massages, or whatever else you want to try. It didn't work for me, obviously, but acupuncture came the closest - there were some definite strong contractions after the session. Visualisation is always good, too.



As for not knowing if you're dilated or not - it's quite easy to check yourself. With clean fingers, insert your forefinger %26amp; middle finger, and aim up and back. Your cervix is the soft-but-firm bump that you'll feel. If it's not dilated, you'll feel just a small ridge where the opening is - it feels as though it'd be about the right size for a q-tip. If you're dilated, you may be able to fit one or more fingers. If you can't reach the cervix at all, it may still be very posterior, and thus not ripe at all. Or you may just have short fingers. :)



Good luck!
Reply:I would be very careful with this. The herb books say not to take it when you are pregnant!
Reply:Ok hon, don't worry. I am still in your boat. My mid wife gave me the rundown on it today. You take 2 caps in the morning and two caps at night. With your nightly you are to prick two caps with a clean needle and insert into your vagina. make sure that it is pretty high up there. Sounds gross I know but this is how I was told today to do it. So if you are going this route that's what you do. The trick is to ingest 1000 mgs in the morn and at night the insert is to soften the ingest is to dialate. GOOD LUCK!!!!
Reply:Raspberry tea will not induce labor, it will just help strengthen the uterine muscles so that labor may be more effective and possibly faster.



I don't know about how much of the evening primrose oil to take, but I that it will not induce labor, just help get the cervix ready by softening/ripening it. I know how you feel - I am due on Thursday and have tried just about everything.



I hear walking and having sex are the most effective for bringing on labor, but they have not worked for me. I think ultimately nothing will really work unless your body and baby are ready to cooperate. Good luck and I hope your baby makes it here soon!
Reply:Sorry this is sooo long!! ok. i don't subscribe to the whole herbal thing and i for sure would not take anything herbal while i was pregnant because those things are NOT tested by the FDA and therefore could possibly be dangerous during pregnancy but you would not know because there has not been any testing done! I have never heard of a dr's office that doesn't check to see if you are dilating. normally you should be checked every week starting at 36 weeks. Anyway, walking is supposed to induce labor but it could be a wive's tale, it couldn't hurt to try. I also have heard intercourse or exercise sometimes brings it on. i really wish you the best of luck! i know you are probably tired of being pregnant but children hate when their birthdays are at Christmas because they think they get less presents (my husbands is the 27th!) so maybe going the first of january would be better in the long run also so you can enjoy Christmas before the excitement begins! Rest up, you will need it! God Bless!