The Truth About Primrose Oil

Primrose oil (oenothera biennia) or evening primrose oil like black currant or borage oil contain gamma linolenic acid (GLA).  GLA is a fatty acid that the body naturally converts to prostaglandin E1 (PGEI).  Prostagliandins are thought to naturally stimulate labor which is why many midwives recommend taking primrose oil in the last 4-6 weeks or pregnancy.  Most midwives recommend 500-1000mg daily either orally or vaginally or both.

Primrose oil is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and can act as a blood thinner and vessel dilator, so it's a good thing. Using primrose oil vaginally is best done in two ways:
1) when the cervix is tight and closed
and
2) during a vaginal exam when a woman is in active labor. 

**Always check with your provider before taking primrose oil either vaginally or orally, as each woman is unique and has different reason why she should or should not take it.

Taking it orally: Simply take one or two pills in once a day 500-1000 mg. With or without food. It may interfere with other medications, so again, check with your provider.

Taking it vaginally: It is easy to get in pill form or oil form at any health food store or the Vitamin Shoppe. Taking it vaginally, take the sharp clean end of a never been used safety pin and poke a hole in the top of the gel capsule and insert it into the vagina as high as you can.  You may insert 1-5 pills that are 500-1000 mg each.

Tips to prevent the Occiput Posterior Baby

The occiput posterior baby is a that is facing the mother's spine. It's also known as sunny-side up. Otherwise known as OP, or the OP position. There are a few tricks to avoid this position at the end of pregnancy.

• Avoid the semi reclined position. Like that lounger you love.
• Do pelvic rocking 10-15 min three times a day
• Cat and cow yoga poses
• Walk on hands and knees 
• Yogic sun salutations and downward facing dog yoga poses
• Walk

Despite positioning, exercising and yoga, some babies persist in the OP position. The majority of these babies will turn in labor.  Those babies that don't turn, may have a very good reason for maintaining the OP position that is unclear to us. It may be the shape of the mother's pelvis or the position of her spine. It could also be the position of the baby's own cord, shoulder, placenta etc, that makes them favor the OP position and makes this is the optimum position for labor and birth.