Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/noms/support_docs/evening_primrose_nov2009.pdf, acog.org/About_ACOG/ACOG_Departments/Deliveries_Before_39_Weeks, instituteofmidwifery.org/MSFinalProj.nsf/a9ee58d7a82396768525684f0056be8d/f44c26c0836acbb585256dd1006b2a22?OpenDocument, A Dietitians Picks of the 7 Best Prostate Health Supplements. That could make it seem like the oil triggered the womans labor, but really, theres no way of proving that for sure. Evening primrose oil is an oil derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. A popular EPO product is evening primrose shampoo. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Is it safe to use evening primrose oil to induce labor? Doctor said to start it vaginally at 36 Weeks. Learn more about. Evening primrose oil is a popular natural option for inducing labor, and some women and practitioners swear by it. Chemical information review document for evening primrose oil. If youre thinking about giving evening primrose oil a try, talk with your doctor or midwife first. These are symptoms you'll likely experience in the 38th week of pregnancy, and they are early signs that labor is fast approaching. Having a labor support person apply pressure with their hands to your lower back during contractions can ease some of the pain. There is a chance that EPO could trigger complications or trouble with delivery. Artificially rupturing the membranes, or breaking the bag of water, is common to get contractions more productive. The omega-6 fatty acids have been shown in studies to improve symptoms of dry eye, a condition which can be difficult to treat. Learning to breathe and relax the pelvic floor muscles when you experience a stretching sensation prepares you to do the same when the babys head is crowning. Another omega-6 fatty acid found in evening primrose oil is arachidonic acid (AA) which is a popular component of bodybuilding supplements due to its inflammatory effects on muscle and tissue repair. It will cause an increase in pressure in the pelvic area and it may cause more frequent urination. For this reason, its hard to isolate EPOs individual effect on the process. Hey I'm 35 weeks and I wanna start using primrose oil but I'm afraid that it might hurt my baby does it cause any effects to the unborn child? Evening primrose oil is an alternative supplement sometimes used to help induce labor or prepare the cervix for labor. Always consult your doctor before trying any supplement. While there may be advantages to using EPO, there are some cons that must be considered. If your bag of water is intact and you are not having vaginal bleeding, you can also place one Evening Primrose Oil softgel deep in the vagina at night to work directly on the cervix while you sleep. Do not try to induce labor before 40 weeks of pregnancy. This is because EPO contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which stimulates the body's production of prostaglandins, a natural chemical that promotes uterine contractions and cervical dilation. It contains linolenic acid, gamma linolenic acid, and vitamin E. Over-the-counter EPO capsules can be purchased at most pharmacies or vitamin and herbal remedy stores. Most of the positive experiences of evening primrose oil are anecdotal. The production of prostaglandins is also what makes EPO so effective in treating several health conditions such as PMS, arthritis, and skin problems. Comparative Effects of Vaginal Capsule of Evening Primrose Oil on Cervical Ripening of Nulliparous Women With Post-Term Pregnancy, Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International. Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). Be sure to keep your line open for a return call. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. The following non-medical website has reasonable directions:Perineal Massage, Water-soluble lubricants like KY Jelly are fine to substitute for oils. . Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy. If you are contracting, start timing your contractions. Bahmani S et al., 2019. GLA may also help the skin retain moisture, elasticity, and firmness overall. This common question stems from the confusion between labor induction and cervical ripening. Recommendations and information provided by Fairfax OB-GYN Associates, The perineum is the tissue between the vagina and the anus. They may also give you more specific instructions on proper use and dosage, especially for inserting the capsules vaginally. Relaxing, having sex, exercising or stretching, eating certain foods, and nipple stimulation are all natural ways to get those contractions going. The cervix will normally efface on its own when labor is about to start, but sometimes this process requires medical assistance. Start with a low dose of 500 mg daily and gradually increase the dose up to 2000 mg per day as you get closer to your due date. Al. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. The oil, which is considered an herbal supplement, is usually sold in capsules. Dr. Kaushal M. Kulkarni, a board-certified ophthalmologist, recommends evening primrose to all his patients with dry eye. You may rupture your bag of water. (In that trial, pregnant women took evening primrose oil capsules three times a day for a week.). Still, you might be wondering if its right for you. Others drain the oil from the capsules and rub it directly onto their cervix during the last days or weeks of pregnancy. The capsule will melt within a few minutes, and the oil will leak into the cervix and help to soften it. He or she can help you figure out what labor induction remedies are safe and when its okay to start trying them, if at all. One 2019 study involved 86 first-time moms in Iran, with half randomly assigned a nightly vaginal capsule of evening primrose oil starting at 38 weeks of pregnancy. Fortunately, maternal positions to ease back pain can also make it easier for a baby to rotate into an ideal position. Evening primrose oil also contains phenylalanine, an amino acid that converts to tyrosine and then to dopamine and other neurotransmitters that may regulate mood and ease anxiety and depression. In addition to ingesting the supplement orally, you may also insert capsules directly into your vagina once you are in the last two weeks of pregnancy. There are two aspects to managing back pain during labor: A possible cause of significant back pain is a babys less-than-ideal position, usually Occiput Posterior (OP, for short). Bayles, B., & Usatine, R. (2009, December 15). Since there is not enough medically-supported information about EPO, proper dosing is uncertain. Lingering pain between contractions, while less common, can also occur. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. It has the additional benefit of being THE BEST maternal position for good blood flow to the placenta, bringing lots of oxygen to baby. We avoid using tertiary references. It's possible that the supplement may only cause Braxton Hicks contractions, rather than productive labor, and may even be associated with other delivery complications. These methods include: Always consult your doctor before attempting to induce labor. More research is needed before evening primrose oil can be recommended for inducing labor. Look for Evening Primrose Oil, 500 mg softgels, at stores selling dietary supplements. As always, consult with your doctor before use and start with a low dose. When will I go into labor? This should only be performed during the last two weeks of your pregnancy. It can be difficult, even for us, to determine if contractions are the real thing or only Braxton Hicks, or preliminary, contractions. A Randomised Clinical Trial. 2018. However, another small trial found that evening primrose oil did appear to help prepare the cervix for labor, and increased the participants' chances of having a vaginal birth. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Getting in a tub can provide buoyancy to a pregnant belly that is soothing for a sore back. The effect of vaginal evening primrose capsule on cervical ripening in nulliparous women with post-term pregnancy: A clinical trial. you're right sesame oil is also helpful.. Devika Primi from Dubrovnik, Croatia on March 08, 2014: Primrose oil sounds a wonder oil with such useful benefits and an interesting insight to this oil makes me want to use it. (In that trial, women who were 40 weeks pregnant took evening primrose oil capsules twice a day for a week.) Find out in this article. October 2017 my brother in-law told us about Natural Herbal Gardens where he ordered herbs that effectively treated his Parkinsons. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency. The body naturally converts GLA from linolenic acid, but this process is very slow and requires the enzyme delta-6-desaturase, which may be inhibited by the factors listed below. Prenatal visits are an opportunity to thoroughly discuss risks and benefits with your doctor or midwife. From the What to Expect editorial team andHeidi Murkoff,author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. But a few potential downsides have been noted, including: Theres not much research supporting the benefits of taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy. One possible option is evening primrose oil (EPO), which can be applied vaginally for the purpose of inducing labor. This Hub gives moms and dads some ideas about what to avoid during labor and delivery, as well as alternative suggestions to consider and how to stay relaxed as much as possible. Why do so many women say that Castor Oil is OK to take to bring on my labor and what can I do to induce labor naturally? Its commonly used by midwives around the world (not including the United States) as an alternative to harsher chemicals for preparing the cervix for labor. You can discuss it at your next appointment. Al. I couldnt keep myself balanced, and walk with a tremor like I cannot control my steps. He or she can help you weigh the pros and cons to determine whether the supplement is a good option for you. NOTE: If you have given birth before and experienced a quick labor, please inform the doctor or midwife on call. The time between contractions generally shortens as time passes. https://npt.tums.ac.ir/index.php/npt/article/view/539 [Accessed March 2021], Shahali, S. et. Its sometimes used in alternative therapies for a variety of health issues, including neuropathy, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, and rheumatoid arthritis. exercising, which can include a walk or climbing a set of stairs, raspberry leaf tea, which is recommended by some midwives and thought to turn irregular uterine. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Can I use evening primrose oil to induce labor? In fact, some research has shown that taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy is tied to a longer, slower labor. If desired, you can roll the ball back and forth slightly, creating a gentle movement. Discontinue treatment if the symptoms persist. Evening primrose Oil is used to soften the cervix, it doesnt make you go into labor. There isnt much scientific evidence to prove that taking evening primrose oil to induce labor is either safe or unsafe. https://www.journaljpri.com/index.php/JPRI/article/view/30140 [Accessed March 2021], Kalati, M. et. Evening primrose oil. Chased by a rottweiler? Methods for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Learn more aboutour editorial and medical review policies. It's hard to know for sure what the pros and cons of using evening primrose oil during pregnancy are because it hasn't been widely studied. (Ulceractive colitis) it's great! Contractions have a pattern of getting stronger (and often longer) over time. Often used as a health remedy, women have long taken it to relieve breast pain, PMS and menopause symptoms, as well as to induce labor. Check out this article to find out some of the symptoms that will let you know that you're close to labor. We want you to be involved in developing the safest plan of care for you. One randomized clinical trial found it had no impact on the cervix or on labor duration. But while its been taken for many years, EPOs real effect on labor remains relatively unknown. This is an important contribution to labor induction and easier delivery. This position provides immediate help for low back pain and lets gravity help a baby to turn, if needed. So far, a study on rats has shown that EPO may reduce blood cholesterol and inflammation related to heart disease. Trying to get the baby to rotate to a more favorable position. Despite inconclusive research, evening primrose oil has been prescribed by doulas for generations and continues to be widely used today. I still didn't feel any better, Since the original diagnosis, My stiffness has slowly increased. Some midwives and alternative health practitioners recommend using evening primrose oil to help prepare or "ripen" the cervix for labor, and for inducing labor. Evening primrose has been used for hundreds of years to increase fertility via the production of egg white cervical mucus. You may find yourself trying some unconventional methods to help labor along out of a state of desperation. Dove, D., & Johnson, P. (1999, May-June). Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is an edible and medicinal plant known for its beautiful white and yellow flowers, which bloom at night. GLA supplementation may alleviate deficiencies caused by: The body converts GLA into hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins. If you choose to use EPO, always start with very low doses. Herbal Therapies in Pregnancy: What Works? In the 2019 study involving vaginal evening primrose oil, participants inserted 1000 milligrams (ml) each night starting at 38 weeks of pregnancy, and remained lying down for at least 2 hours. Don't take evening primrose oil if you have a seizure disorder, as it may reduce the potency of anti-seizure medications. Strong contractions generally take ones complete attention just to breathe through them. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Regardless, you shouldnt take any supplement during pregnancy without consulting with your care provider. As soon as you get the green light from your doctor, you can start taking evening primrose oil supplements during your 38th week. The effect of vaginal evening primrose on the Bishop score of term nulliparous women. Two tennis balls in a sock with a knot in the top can be a handy tool to massage and to apply counter pressure at the same time. Nursing Practice Today. Maybe you should pass on that one. Oral evening primrose oil: Its effect on length of pregnancy and selected intrapartum outcomes in low-risk nulliparous women [Abstract]. So why do some women and providers swear by it? Many women use EPO without incident, but an early study found that the oral intake of EPO could trigger delivery problems or complications.