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Natural Remedies

Angelica Root
Black and Blue Cohosh
Castor Oil Induction
Comfrey Leaf
Evening Primrose Oil
Red Raspberry Leaf

Comfort Measures

Labor Support Basics
Positions for Labor
Labor Tools
Natural Remedies
Mastering Relaxation
The Right Position?
The Right Comfort Measure?
Setting the Environment
Touch in labor
Your Birth Place

Evening Primrose Oil

What is Evening Primrose Oil?

Native to North America, the Evening Primrose is so named because its yellow flowers bloom in the evening. This plant's oil is extracted from the seeds and placed in capsules.

What does Evening Primrose Oil do?

Evening primrose oil helps to soften the cervix by providing prostaglandins and the components the body needs to make prostaglandins. This can help to ripen a cervix to help encourage labor or to speed labor.

How do I do it?

Evening primrose oil can be taken internally near the end of pregnancy. It can also be massaged directly onto the cervix if ripening is desired.

NOTE: Evening primrose oil should not be taken until after 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Some sample evening primrose oil uses:

Daily massage after 37 weeks: Squeeze oil out of capsules. Apply the oil to a clean finger and carefully insert in vagina to rub the oil onto the cervix.

After the 37th week, take one 500 mg capsule orally three times a day.

In early labor, massage the cervix with a finger dipped in evening primrose oil.




What would you like next?

Read some Sample Birth Plans and get information to help put your birth plan together.

Learn how exercise in pregnancy can shorten your labor.

Learn ways to handle Childbirth Challenges.

Discover the secrets of being emotionally prepared for labor.

Find easy meal ideas.


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Most Recent Update: October 22, 2009
© 2000-2009 Jennifer Vanderlaan & Birthing Naturally