Re:EPO Long Post Was: OT Perineal Massage

[Guest guest]

As a natural birth advocate I have to give you a little background on the usual

instance that EPO comes up in the world of labor.

 

To begin with full term gestation is 41 weeks but the medical profession gives

women a 40 week due date. So, right around the 36th week office admins

cheerfully announce that a pregnant woman has reached that milestone in her

pregnancy where she must now come in for a check-up every week. Then at each of

these weekly visits she will be asked to undress from the waist down for a

vaginal exam.

 

What are they looking for? Textbook signs of labor...and I must emphasize

'textbook'. According to their med school training there are typical physical

signs to look for to tell you that labor will begin. One of those signs is a

soft cervix. A woman's body releases many hormones in preparation for labor -

some to soften the pelvis so the pelvis will expand to allow baby to move

through for example. A softened cervix will be flexible for the baby to exit

the uterus.

 

Although a soft cervix is a typical sign that all is in order for labor to begin

it does not mean that labor is imminent. So, at these weekly exams a medical

care provider wants to see that cervix soft because they want this baby to come

at the 40 week mark. When the fourth week comes and goes and they do this

weekly exam yet again and the cervix is not soft they start to 'worry' that this

baby will be past due.

 

Never mind that full gestation is 41 weeks, not 40. Never mind that while a

soft cervix is a sign that labor will probably begin right on time it isn't

foolproof. I have had clients go in for a weekly exam and be excited that they

are 80% effaced (the cervix as it is softening is measured in percentage as to

just how soft it is because it begins to thin out as well) and 2cm dilated.

Then they are very disappointed when 2 weeks later labor has not come on fully.

I've also seen woman have these exams and be told over and over that is nothing

happening and suddenly....one day...whoosh...labor...big time!

 

Anyway, the point being that when a woman is told she is now at 40 weeks and

showing 'no signs' of beginning labor the careproviders begin the TALK. Talking

about inducing, talking about ultrasounds every other day, monitoring every

other day, c-section if that baby does not come out by 41 weeks. Around NYC

most docs will 'allow' a woman to go 41 weeks past her due date before putting

on the pressure for an induction and c-section at 42 weeks....rain or shine.

 

Yes, I'm being sarcastic. All these surgeries and babies going through these

medicalized births unnecessarily.

 

So, many a sane woman has looked to alternative ways to induce labor naturally.

Induction is just a hairy scary thing and many a book has been written on it so

I won't go into the whole topic here.

 

One very good alternative natural method is the use of Evening Primrose Oil.

EPO is said to contain natural prostaglandin (the technical term for what women

produce that softens a cervix). Many a doula and midwife swear by it. I've had

clients use it successfully. Others have not had it work but have tried other

options.

 

Now I can answer your question.

 

The dosage varies by midwife. The most common dosage is 4500mg orally. It can

also be applied directly to the cervix. In combination with taking EPO orally

some woman have crushed 7-9 capsules into a diaphragm to apply it directly to

the cervix. Some women crush and insert the capsules. Some other dosages have

been 2600mg orally and 2600mg vaginally. These are recommended over a 72-hour

and 24-hour period respectively.

 

I teach natural childbirth and I am labor doula to many of my students. I also

welcome private birth consultations. Aside from being trained in The Bradley

Method and having gone the epidural route and the natural birth route (2

unmedicated VBACs) myself I don't have any other professional training. That's

what wigs out people who must see initials after a name on a business card.

 

Historically speaking women know birth. Period. We've really damaged the link

of birth history in families and I work to restore it to women and their

families and make it a new and healthy foundation for their future grandchildren

and so on.

 

Every birth teaches the participants. So, it is good of you to point out that

no matter the setting and the odds you may be surprised at what your experience

will be. The key is to educate yourself and be willing to do a lot of work and

take on the responsibility for caring for yourself and making your own

decisions.

 

Hope this information helps!!

 

Off and running again back to life....I promise to update everyone on the

homeschooling front. Still working that one.

 

Be well everyone,

Dale

 

 

[Guest guest]

" The key is to educate yourself and be willing to do a lot of work and take on

the responsibility for caring for yourself and making your own decisions. "

 

 

What Dale said was/is Soooooo True. Except for the VBAC I've done it all,

induced, not, with drugs, without, a c-section (emergency) and one natural after

the c-section. Each birth VERY different from the other, none was what I wanted

(Blasted water birth >sigh<), 2 almost smack dab " on time " (the girls and one

was the c-section) and the boys were 10 days " Late " . Course, they weren't late,

them was just on time but I had the midwives and docs sweating bullets (Gotta

remember, Ancient old bat who had no business being pregnant and you'd be

surprised how often I ran into that attitude). My body, my choice, babies were

fine, mom was fed up with the waiting and the nagging and the impatient attitude

from the medical folk, but all was fine.

 

Educate yourself as much as you can. Be prepared for arguments when you're

" Over-Due " , and if you're ever worried demand to be heard and don't be put off,

peace of mind is HUGE in pregnancy. Also try to expect the unexpected. I never

got the expected, each child is different and wants to make their own special

little mark by coming in the world their own way. Usually not " YOUR " way.

Dreadful little beasties AND they go from there! ;-)

 

Just had to add my 5¢ worth. I guess that's a sign that I'm feeling a bit

better! ROFL!

 

K

 

 

Cheers!

Kathleen Petrides

The Purrfinicky Queen

Candles, Carpets, almost everything but the Furr ball!

Http://www.fatcatcandleco.com

[Guest guest]

Kathleen -

 

You made me laugh. My SIL was a homebirth, breech, many moons ago. As she puts

it: " I was born tellin' folks to kiss my ass and that's been my philosophy my

whole life. "

 

Every child deserves to be themselves.

 

Cheers right back at ya!!

 

Dale

-

Purrfinicky Queen

I never got the expected, each child is different and wants to make their own

special little mark by coming in the world their own way. Usually not " YOUR "

way. Dreadful little beasties AND they go from there! ;-)