Primrose Oil for Cervical Ripening

[midwife228]

In the practice that I previously worked in, we had women insert 3000-4000 mg. of primrose oil capsules lady partslly at bedtime, starting at 36-37 weeks, for cervical ripening. I have read since then that some practices use primrose oil capsules orally. Does anybody here have experience with the oral regimen? How many mg., how often, and how does it compare in effectiveness to the lady partslly inserted primrose oil?

[klone, MSN, RN]

I don't have dosage info for you, but I know from my past research when I was an herbalist, that EPO contains prostaglandin PRECURSORS. As such, it needs to go through the metabolic process in order for the body to be able to convert them to prostaglandins. So applying the oil directly to the cervix does not aid in cervical ripening, but taking it orally can.

[phoenixnim]

Have you seen this article? Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Evening primrose oil: “Don't use it if you are pregnant?” | VBAC Facts