Using Evening Primrose Oil During Pregnancy - Is It Safe? It can be used vaginally to induce labour. Here are some potential risks of evening primrose oil that are likely to arise if it is used during pregnancy. (After all, when you’re near or past your due date, your baby is bound to decide she’s ready to come out at some point.). Evening primrose oil. Traditionally, women use evening primrose oil to induce labor. US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Is It Safe to Drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea When You're Pregnant? There are only two studies that examine the oral use EPO and its ability to ripen the cervix during pregnancy. Some women and providers also say that taking evening primrose oil can help trigger labor. How to Use Evening Primrose Oil While Pregnant. For long, it has been hailed for its medicinal properties. Primrose oil is known to help increase the likelihood of a safe vaginal birth by reducing tearing. So I was surprised at the lack of evidence on the effectiveness and safety of EPO use among pregnant women. Please consult your doctor before using evening primrose oil for fertility. When Can a Pregnant Woman Use Evening Primrose Oil? 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. Evening Primrose Oil is usually sold as a soft gelcap oral medication. Evening primrose oil can have a blood-thinning effect, which could make it harder for blood to clot. The oil, which is considered an herbal supplement, is usually sold in capsules. Studies have shown that this is not case. Evening primrose oil can have a blood-thinning effect, which could make it harder for blood to clot. Top 20 Nursery Rhymes for Toddlers and Preschoolers to Encourage Learning, Sperm Motility – How Does it Affect Fertility, Best Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Baby Shower Ideas, Obestetrician vs. Midwife – Who is Right for You, Beautiful Rainbow Themed Baby Shower Ideas, BBQ Baby Shower Theme to Honor the New Mommy and Daddy-to-Be. You should discuss with your doctor or midwife if you should use evening … Does evening primrose oil help start labor? Using evening primrose oil during pregnancy may be helpful for inducing labor, according to some homeopathic remedy practitioners. There are a large number of benefits to using evening primrose oil during your pregnancy, here are a few: Like with anything good and healthy, moderation is the key. Normalizes Irregular Periods. You can buy it over the counter, without a prescription. All rights reserved. Using Evening Primrose Oil in Pregnancy. As the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology states, there is not enough evidence to support these claims. Parenting.Firstcry.com accepts no liability for any errors, omissions or misrepresentations. And in some women, it might increase the risk for serious complications. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. But is it really safe to use it during pregnancy? As soon as you get the green light from your doctor, you can start taking evening primrose oil supplements during your 38th week. Has your date come and gone but still no baby? The supplement contains the fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).People take evening primrose oil orally to treat a wide variety of conditions. A more recent study [2] also did not reveal any impacts that evening primrose oil may have on … It's believed that EPO acts as a cervical ripening agent and may help shorten labor duration. Some midwives may use it to ripen the cervix during the 3 rd trimester of pregnancy, in order to make it ready for delivery. The capsules can be taken orally, but some women insert them directly into their vaginas. While evening primrose oil, like other oils, can be hugely beneficial when used in moderation, but even for that, consulting a doctor is necessary. There aren’t any proven safety issues with evening primrose oil. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. There’s not much research supporting the benefits of taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy. Evening primrose oil is a popular natural option for inducing labor, and some women and practitioners swear by it. Others drain the oil from the capsules and rub it directly onto their cervix during the last days or weeks of pregnancy. Consuming Ajinomoto (MSG) During Pregnancy. This oil should be applied vaginally in order to induce labor for pregnant women. With both I also had a spicy curry two days before and had sex. Studies have shown that this is not case. If you’re at risk of preterm labor, have a high risk pregnancy or have any other complications, you should talk to your medical care provider for advice. Is Evening Primrose Oil Safe During Pregnancy? This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. In fact, some research has shown that taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy is tied to a longer, slower labor. Evening primrose oil is thought to be one of the oldest medicinal plants related to pregnancy and childbirth, and many natural health practitioners swear by it and tout its effectiveness. To find the answer to this question, one must accept its answer as a combination of yes as well as no. Postpartum bleeding problems. This means the baby stops descending to the vagina and this in-turn needs a procedure that requires your baby to be pulled out through a tool called the vacuum extractor. Primrose oil is known to be a great remedy for. A randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that evening primrose oil had no effect on cervical ripening or speeding up labor. He or she can help you weigh the pros and cons to determine whether the supplement is a good option for you. Evening primrose oil is a herbal oil that comes from evening primrose plant, a variety of herbaceous flowering plant that is mostly found in North America. Although this oil is known to induce labour, if taken in the last week of pregnancy in high doses, it can cause a condition called “arrest of decent”. 3. Some women even use them to insert in their vaginas to induce labour, but it is not safe. However, it should be used only after consulting with a doctor, better yet under medical supervision. One of the ways is definitely with the help of evening primrose oil. Although there’s no set standard for taking EPO, it’s generally deemed safe to start taking evening primrose oil to induce labour from 36-38 weeks of pregnancy. Let’s find out! From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. Should you have any concerns about your health, or of that of your baby or child, please consult with your doctor. Evening primrose oil has long been used to relieve stress, hot flashes, PMS pain, and for other health issues in women. reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. But it has been tied to a few potential positives: "Toning" or "preparing" the uterus for labor. Postpartum bleeding problems. There are numerous ways in which primrose oil can use be used during pregnancy. Some doctors also believe it has risks when taken in pregnancy and there have been no in depth studies done – most evidence is anecdotal. Evening primrose oil during … It gets less beneficial by the third trimester and should be avoided completely. If you’re thinking about giving evening primrose oil a try, talk with your doctor or midwife first. Taking up to 4 grams daily for up to 10 weeks during pregnancy seems to be safe. Before giving it a try, though, it’s important to get the facts. The oil is thought to help thin the cervix, which can encourage it to dilate and jumpstart labor. Will be trying all this again but if it works it works! How to insert evening primrose oil into the cervix. If you choose to use EPO, always start with very low doses. US National Library of Mediicne, National Institutes of Health. Learn whether taking evening primrose oil to start contractions is a safe, effective way to bring on labor. If you are pregnant and your due date has come and gone, you must be willing to try everything to induce labour, yes, even herbal remedies like evening primrose oil. Anecdotally, some claim that taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy can help strengthen the uterus for childbirth. You may have heard that taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy can reduce the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. But again, there’s little evidence to support this. Some women even use them to insert in their … Reduce the dose if you start experiencing side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, or upset stomach. How Safe Is it to Take Evening Primrose Oil During Pregnancy? Here are a few key points to remember about evening primrose oil. It could be recommended as an alternative to medication taken for the treatment of PCOS. … One can use evening primrose oil in the following ways –. That’s why you should take linoleic acid supplement to “help” your body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, evening primrose oil's side effects are uncommon and usually mild. The supplement known as evening primrose oil or oenothera is a plant based oil that is believed to help in aiding fertility in women. You can order it online or pick it up at a local health food store.It is very important that you discontinue using Evening Primrose Oil if you do get pregnant, since it can cause pregnancy complications. But there’s no solid research to back this up. It is a resounding, Yes and No! The most frequent complaints occur at higher doses exceeding the recommended norm. There are also capsules available which you can have for fulfilling the same purpose. Your use of this site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use. It is also believed that evening primrose oil helps induce labour. Many pregnant women and midwives use evening primrose oil (EPO) for cervical ripening. Hence, it should be avoided if a woman has had or is going for a, If used excessively, evening primrose oil can cause severe. The oil, used as a herbal supplement, is usually taken in the form of capsules. Evening primrose oil is ideal for that. What Are the Health Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil for Pregnant Women? Always purchase 100% pure evening primrose oil without any additives. Canadian Journal of Midwifery & Practice. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. Newborns of mothers who take evening primrose oil in the week before giving birth are at higher risk for bleeding into the skin or bruising. But a few potential downsides have been noted, including: Slower labor with more interventions. You might’ve started Googling DIY ways to coax her into the world and found that evening primrose oil is one way people try to induce labor. So don’t self-prescribe it – check with your doctor and make safe choices! He or she can help you figure out what labor induction remedies are safe and when it’s okay to start trying them, if at all. © 2010-2020 Parenting.FirstCry.com. Like all herbal supplements, experts don’t fully understand the risks that evening primrose oil might pose to pregnant women. So why do some women and providers swear by it? These disturbances might include nausea, headaches and abdominal cramping. Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). Evening primrose oil reduces the complications caused by these hormonal changes. It has been known to relieve pre-menstrual symptoms and skin disorders. US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus. Evening primrose oil comes in capsules, which can be taken orally or inserted vaginally. Herbal Therapies in Pregnancy: What Works? After searching through many articles, the question regarding taking Evening Primrose Oil during pregnancy has been answered! Am Fam Physician, 80(12), 1405-1408. This herbal remedy is an excellent source of dietary fatty acids and aids in reducing inflammation, treating nerve damage in diabetic patients, and solving mood-related disorders, including ADHD and depression. Evening primrose oil can be used for massages and skin disorder during the first trimester of pregnancy. US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health. You Won’t Remember, but I Will for All of Us !!!! Probably not, according to the latest findings. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking evening primrose by mouth is POSSIBLY SAFE during pregnancy. Your practitioner will also give you the green light on when it’s okay to try to induce labor at home. It is widely known that essential fatty acids are very important for the health, however the body cannot produce enough linoleic acid. And if you’re thinking of taking evening primrose oil later in pregnancy to bring on labour, there’s no evidence that this works either. Talk to your doctor before and while using this oil. Primrose oil can be used orally; it can be taken orally in the last four weeks of pregnancy to soften and thin the cervix, but only if recommended by the doctor. Let us understand it further: It is highly advised by the midwives as it helps the cervix to ripen and even helps in inducing labour. Evening primrose oil is also rich in vitamin E, which has made it a popular ingredient for the face and body cosmetics. Evening primrose oil is known to be a great way of easing muscle pain through massage. Vitamin D and Evening Primrose Oil Administration Improve Glycemia and Lipid Profiles in Women with Gestational Diabetes, The truth about “natural” ways to induce labor, Evening Primrose Oil for Cervical Ripening. Dove, D., & Johnson, P. (1999). If you are on your 40 th week of pregnancy then you must have been evaluating the natural ways of inducing labor. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant. Evening primrose is considered possibly safe to … This oil is not recommended to all during pregnancy or otherwise, as it may not work for everyone. Evening primrose oil has been linked to a number of different benefits to the body such as a treatment for skin conditions (eczema, acne, rosacea), relieving the discomfort of PMS and helping to ease joint pain/swelling for rheumatoid arthritis. Here’s what you should know about this folk remedy, including whether it’s a safe at-home option for labor induction. I’m not saying it was the evening primrose but I will definitely be taking it again this time as well, it can’t hurt! Evening primrose is known for its yellow and white flowers that bloom at night. Do not take evening primrose oil if you are pregnant. For internal use, you want to take evening primrose oil capsules. Even capsules are not safe unless and until, recommended by a doctor. Doing so may endanger you or the baby. Newborn bleeding problems. A herbal oil made from the extract of a herbaceous flowering plant called the evening primrose plant, evening primrose oil is known for its numerous medicinal properties such as treating skin disorders and providing relief from various pre-menstrual symptoms. Actually, evening primrose oil is listed among the top 12 ways to naturally induce labor. Discontinue treatment if the symptoms persist. One small study found that taking evening primrose oil plus vitamin D during pregnancy helped reduce symptoms of gestational diabetes. But what exactly is evening primrose oil, does it actually work — and are there any potential risks of using it while you're pregnant? Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Plant Database. You also acknowledge that owing to the limited nature of communication possible on interactive elements on the site, any assistance, or response you receive is provided by the author alone. There is no exact time to start using the oil during pregnancy; but if a woman wants to use it during pregnancy, she can use it in her first and second trimesters. Evening primrose oil and labour, is it effective? However, the British National Formulary, which advises healthcare professionals about medicines, says evening primrose oil should be used with caution in pregnancy. As evening primrose oil is a blood thinner, it can lead to complications during labour and delivery. 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