Has your date come and gone but still no baby? You might’ve started Googling DIY ways to coax her into the world and found that evening primrose oil is one way people try to induce labor. But what exactly is evening primrose oil, does it actually work — and are there any potential risks of using it while you're pregnant?
Evening primrose oil is a popular natural option for inducing labor, and some women and practitioners swear by it. Before giving it a try, though, it’s important to get the facts.
Here’s what you should know about this folk remedy, including whether it’s a safe at-home option for labor induction.
What is evening primrose oil?
Evening primrose oil is an oil derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. Often used as a health remedy, women have long taken it to relieve breast pain, PMS and menopause symptoms, as well as to induce labor.
The oil, which is considered an herbal supplement, is usually sold in capsules. The capsules can be taken orally, but some women insert them directly into their vaginas. Others drain the oil from the capsules and rub it directly onto their cervix during the last days or weeks of pregnancy.
Why do pregnant women take evening primrose oil supplements?
Some midwives recommend evening primrose oil supplements to induce labor naturally. The oil is thought to help thin the cervix, which can encourage it to dilate and jumpstart labor.
Is it safe to use evening primrose oil to induce labor?
Studies haven’t been conducted to confirm whether evening primrose oil is safe to use during pregnancy. And in some women, it might increase the risk for serious complications.
If you’re thinking about giving evening primrose oil a try, talk with your doctor or midwife first. He or she can help you weigh the pros and cons to determine whether the supplement is a good option for you. Your practitioner will also give you the green light on when it’s okay to try to induce labor at home.
More on Ways to Induce Labor
Does evening primrose oil help start labor?
Probably not, according to the latest findings. A randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that evening primrose oil had no effect on cervical ripening or speeding up labor.
In fact, some research has shown that taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy is tied to a longer, slower labor.
So why do some women and providers swear by it? It could be that women who take evening primrose oil and begin to have contractions shortly afterwards were very close to going into labor anyway. (After all, when you’re near or past your due date, your baby is bound to decide she’s ready to come out at some point.)
That could make it seem like the oil triggered the woman’s labor, but really, there’s no way of proving that for sure.
Evening primrose oil side effects and risks
Like all herbal supplements, experts don’t fully understand the risks that evening primrose oil might pose to pregnant women. But a few potential downsides have been noted, including:
- Slower labor with more interventions. Taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy is tied to a longer active phase of labor, as well as an increased need for the use of Pitocin or vacuum extraction.
- Postpartum bleeding problems. Evening primrose oil can have a blood-thinning effect, which could make it harder for blood to clot. That could increase the risk for postpartum hemorrhage, especially among women with pregnancy conditions like placenta previa.
- Newborn bleeding problems. Newborns of mothers who take evening primrose oil in the week before giving birth are at higher risk for bleeding into the skin or bruising.
- Stomach discomfort. Some people find that taking evening primrose oil causes stomach aches, indigestion, nausea or loose stools.
Evening primrose oil benefits during pregnancy
There’s not much research supporting the benefits of taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy. But it has been tied to a few potential positives:
- "Toning" or "preparing" the uterus for labor. Anecdotally, some claim that taking evening primrose oil during pregnancy can help strengthen the uterus for childbirth. But there’s no solid research to back this up.
- Inducing labor. Some women and providers also say that taking evening primrose oil can help trigger labor. But again, there’s little evidence to support this.
- Reducing gestational diabetes symptoms. One small study found that taking evening primrose oil plus vitamin D during pregnancy helped reduce symptoms of gestational diabetes. But if you have gestational diabetes, you shouldn’t take the supplement without getting approval from your doctor first.
When to call the doctor
If you’re thinking of trying a DIY option to get your labor started — whether it’s evening primrose oil or another natural remedy — get the okay from your doctor or midwife first.
He or she can help you figure out what labor induction remedies are safe and when it’s okay to start trying them, if at all.
Evening primrose oil is a popular natural option for trying to kickstart labor. But there’s not much research to support its use and it could have some potentially harmful side effects. If you’re considering giving it a try, be sure to talk with your provider first.
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