Evening Primrose Oil

At the suggestion of my amazing friend Meagen, I picked up some Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) caplets at the drugstore the other night. Meagen is a Labor and Delivery nurse in Columbus, and proud mama to Baby Max, so I take her suggestions seriously. After she suggested taking it, I did some reading of my own on it.

EPO is completely natural and used more widely by midwives than OBs. There isn't too much scientific proof behind it, but it is thought to help ripen, or soften, the cervix in the weeks leading up to labor. Everything I found said that it was safe to take starting in week 36, and that you could increase the dosage starting in week 38. I've also read that the EPO isn't going to cause your body to do anything it isn't ready to do on its own ... so it just helps in the process once your body starts it anyhow.

Don't freak out - I asked my OB about this prior to taking it and while he personally feels it doesn't help at all, he said it also doesn't hurt ... so to try it if I wanted to. So I did. I take one 500mg capsule twice a day. Who knows if it will make a difference, but we will see!

Fridays are my day to really THINK as I drive to work. The other four days of the week Kevin and I ride to work together and while our conversation is normally around Riley, I am talking and listening most of the time rather than reflecting. Friday are my reflection days since he works from home on those days. So today I was thinking about how many of my friends are pregnant right now. It is such a blessing to be surrounded by other people, all of whom are experiencing this for the very first time as well!!

1. Carrie - Due 1/10/09
2. Kelly - Due 1/11/09
3. Katie - Due 2/11/09
4. Kate - Due 3/17/09