Can evening primrose oil induce labor? Is it safe to use it?

Is your date gone and you still without a baby?One way people try to induce labor is by using evening primrose oil.Is evening primrose oil safe to use while you're pregnant, and does it work?

Some women swear by evening primrose oil for inducing labor.It is important to get the facts before you try it.

This folk remedy, as well as whether it is a safe at- home option for labor induction, are what you should know.

Evening primrose oil is derived from the seeds of the plant.It is often used as a health remedy to relieve breast pain, as well as to induce labor.

The oil is usually sold in capsule form.Some women insert the capsules into their vaginas.Some people drain the oil from the capsule and rub it on their uterus during the last days or weeks of their pregnancies.

Evening primrose oil supplements can be used to induce labor.The oil is thought to thin the cervix, which can encourage labor.

It is not known if evening primrose oil is safe to use during pregnancy.It might increase the risk for serious problems in some women.

If you are considering giving evening primrose oil a try, talk to your doctor or midwife first.He or she can help you decide if the supplement is a good option for you.When it is okay to try to induce labor at home, your doctor will give you the green light.Is it safe to drink redberry leaf tea when you're pregnant?

According to the latest findings, probably not.A randomized clinical trial found that evening primrose oil had no effect on labor speed.

Evening primrose oil has been shown to be tied to a longer, slower labor.

Some women and providers swear by it.It could be that women who take evening primrose oil are very close to giving birth.Your baby is bound to decide she is ready to come out at some point when you are near or past your due date.

There is no way to prove that the oil caused the woman's labor.

The risks of evening primrose oil to pregnant women are not fully understood by experts.There are a few potential downsides.

Slower labor with more interventions.Taking evening primrose oil while pregnant is associated with a longer active phase of labor as well as an increased need for Pitocin.

Postpartum bleeding problems.Evening primrose oil can make it harder for blood to clot.It could increase the risk for women with conditions like placenta previa.

There are newborn bleeding problems.Newborns of mothers who take evening primrose oil in the week before birth are at higher risk for bleeding into the skin.

There isn't much research on the benefits of taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy.It has been tied to a few positives.

"Toning" is the act of preparing the uterus for labor.Some people claim that taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy can strengthen the uterus.There is no research to back this up.

Making labor work.Women and providers say that taking evening primrose oil can help with labor.There isn't much evidence to support this.

Gestational diabetes symptoms can be reduced.One small study found that taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy helped reduce symptoms of diabetes.If you have gestational diabetes, you need to get approval from your doctor before taking the supplement.