How do you use evening primrose oil?

I am 36 weeks and have been having contractions for weeks now. I am miserable and am 2 cm dilated and the doctor said I was allowed to try some at home induction methods. How do you use Evening primrose oil and how fast does it work?

How do you use evening primrose oil?
Evening primrose oil is not generally used for labor induction. I was instructed to use it by my midwives beginning at 36 weeks to 'prepare' the cervix by softening it and thinning it. I used evening primrose oil this way (4 babies!) : 36 or 37 weeks take orally twice per day, 38+ weeks take orally 3 times per day and insert 2 capsules vaginally at bedtime (get them as close to the cervix as you can). I have never heard of anyone going into labor as a result of using evening primrose oil, but using it consistantly during the last weeks of your pregnancy may make your labor come sooner (and be faster) than it would be otherwise. Evening Primrose Oil can be purchased at health food stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets for about 5-10 $ a bottle. Good luck!
Reply:You might not want to take herbs to start labor. These are NOT tested or approved by the FDA and can be harmful to your baby. If your doctor told you it was okay to take it, I would get another doctor.
Reply:Caplet form only.
Reply:You can get it in a pill but its not the safest way to go into labor. Some times it doesnt even work.... So its the chance you will have to take. Walking is really the best thing i did alot of walking my child still came ut 2 days later theh expected..... but walking helped
Reply:I've only heard of evening primrose oil for use in the help of PMS symptoms and reduction of cramping. I tried researching the web quick and didn't really find any over the counter induction methods as far as a medication or supplement you could take. I found this on one website though:





Are there any techniques I can try myself at home to get my labor going?


No do-it-yourself methods have been proven consistently to be both safe and effective. Here's the scoop on some of the techniques you may have heard about:





• Nipple stimulation: Twisting or pinching your nipples releases your own natural oxytocin. A few studies have found it to be effective in getting labor going within 72 hours if your cervix is already ripe, but the method has not been well studied. And don't try it at home: Nipple stimulation requires monitoring because it can sometimes cause prolonged contractions that could stress your baby and depress his heart rate.





• Sexual intercourse: Semen contains some prostaglandin and having an orgasm may stimulate a few contractions, but having sex won't induce labor.





• Castor oil: Castor oil is a strong laxative, and stimulating your bowels may cause some contractions, but no good studies have proven it consistently effective, and you're likely to find the effect on your gut very unpleasant.





• Herbal remedies. A variety of herbs are touted as useful for labor induction. Some are risky because they can hyperstimulate your uterus (and may be unsafe for your baby for other reasons as well), and the safety and effectiveness of others remains unproven.





Good luck, healthy baby and try and stock some sleep!!
Reply:Whatever you try do not try castor oil. My friend tried that and all she acomplished was a bad case of diarhea. It cleaned her out really good but didn't help with speeding up delivery. Walking is always good if nothing else it get your exersise. Also the spicy theory doesn't help, I tried that one and it didn't do anything. The main thing is that baby is gonna come when he's good and ready. Be careful with any method you try and make sure it won't harm you or baby. Good luck and congrats!