Sacred Whisper Toronto

Evening Primrose Oil: Encouraging Cervical Ripening

 

Many midwives use Evening Primrose Oil towards the end of pregnancy to help soften the cervix, shorten labor and prevent the incidence of post-term pregnancies.

Evening primrose is a plant native to North America, it also grows in Europe and parts of the
Southern Hemisphere.  It has yellow flowers that bloom in the evening.  Evening primrose
oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA),  which is an essential fatty acid.   Oils which are rich in GLA help regulate and control the production of prostaglandins in the body.   Prostaglandins are necessary to ‘ripen’ or soften the cervix which is an important process for labor to begin.

Prostaglandins also play an important role in cell rejuvenation, regulation of blood pressure, reduction of cholesterol production, and an improvement in the activity of the immune system. In other words, a whole array of benefits!  GLA can also be found in borage oil, black current seed oil and mother’s breastmilk.

 

Dosage:

36-38 weeks   500-1000mg twice daily, orally

 

38-42 weeks   500-1000mg three times daily, orally

 

At 36 weeks until labor
Evening Primrose Oil is also recommended as a vaginal suppository: up to 2000mg capsules can be inserted vaginally close to the cervix before bedtime, larger capsules may be easier to use.  Use a clean pin to puncture a hole in the capsule and insert.  Be sure to wear panty liners.  **do not insert anything vaginally if your membranes have ruptured**


"Your spirit as a woman has all the knowledge and power you need to give birth and nurture your baby." Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa