I am 33 weeks pregnant?

and i been reading some of the 33 week questions. and i come across alot of questions about evening primrose oil!!!! what is it?? i have never heard of it. what does it do and is it safe?

I am 33 weeks pregnant?
What It Is Used For

Evening primrose oil has been used since the 1930s for eczema (a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, or scaly because of allergies or other irritation).

More recently it has been used for other conditions involving inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Evening primrose oil is used for conditions affecting women's health, such as breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

It is used during pregnancy in attempts to shorten the duration of labor.

Other conditions for which evening primrose oil is used include cancer and diabetes.

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How It Is Used

Evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose. The oil is usually put into capsules for use.



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What the Science Says

Evening primrose oil may have modest benefits for eczema, and it may be useful for rheumatoid arthritis and breast pain. However, study results are mixed, and most studies have been small and not well designed.

Evening primrose oil does not appear to affect menopausal symptoms.

Although some clinical trials have shown a benefit of evening primrose oil for PMS, the best-designed trials found no effect.

There is not enough evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for other health conditions.

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Side Effects and Cautions

Evening primrose oil is well tolerated by most people. Mild side effects include gastrointestinal upset and headache.

Evening primrose oil appears to be safe for use during pregnancy, but data are limited.

Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Reply:it's supposed to assist in inducing labor.....from my understanding the only thing you may get out of it is a bad case of diarreah, which could possibly cause contractions.
Reply:Evening primrose oil is supposed to help induce or ease labor by softening the cervix. It contains ingredients that can cause the body to produce prostaglandin, which is the precurser hormone to oxytoxin, which makes you go into labor. It isn't a guarantee to jumpstart or ease labor, but is considered a supplement to hopefully help things along.



Like many of the natural induction methods, it has side effects, one of which being soft stools and/or actual diarhea. It should not be used without the advice and observation of a midwife or OB.