Evening primrose oil causing cramps

[Anonymous]

I have been taking 500-1000 mg for a few weeks now but last night I was up half the night with horrible cramping. Def thought labor was starting. Tonight I noticed the cramping start within 10 minutes of taking the damn pills so I guess I'm in for it again. I am trying to flush my system out with water. Is there anything else I can do? (Almost 40 wks) And why is this happening?

[Anonymous]

What did you think EPO would do? It's intended to help start labor, that's why your having cramps. Don't take it again if your not looking to labor.

[Anonymous]

You're almost 40 weeks. EPO or no, chances are you are going to go into labor in the next two weeks. How exactly did you think pregnancy would conclude?

[Anonymous]

Come on guys. How rude. I actually have a child already so I know exactly how this ends. What I didn't expect from a supplement I've been taking for weeks is 7 hours of labor intensity cramping and no labor! Jerks. I realized the problem was I failed to eat a good snack when I took them the last 2 times. I guess on an empty stomach they are much more powerful. So f'ing forgive me for asking for advice to get a little relief; I'm already beating myself up because now I am doubly exhausted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come on guys. How rude. I actually have a child already so I know exactly how this ends. What I didn't expect from a supplement I've been taking for weeks is 7 hours of labor intensity cramping and no labor! Jerks. I realized the problem was I failed to eat a good snack when I took them the last 2 times. I guess on an empty stomach they are much more powerful. So f'ing forgive me for asking for advice to get a little relief; I'm already beating myself up because now I am doubly exhausted.

I don't know anything about EPO, but I'm Sorry this happened to you OP. Sounds awful and frustrating especially when you just want real labor to start! I think there are always a few non-pregnant ones around ready to shit on someone looking for comfort or just objective info. Wish there was something between DCUM and the Bump! Hang in there and get some rest!

[Anonymous]

OP, ignore the idiots. I took EPO the last few weeks of my pregnancy, never had cramps. You don't know if the EPO caused your cramping, most women at your stage of pregnancy have unexplained cramping from time to time. I've never heard that EPO directly causes this. In any event, dial back your dosage if you are worried. EPO is helpful but it isn't going to make or break your birth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come on guys. How rude. I actually have a child already so I know exactly how this ends. What I didn't expect from a supplement I've been taking for weeks is 7 hours of labor intensity cramping and no labor! Jerks. I realized the problem was I failed to eat a good snack when I took them the last 2 times. I guess on an empty stomach they are much more powerful. So f'ing forgive me for asking for advice to get a little relief; I'm already beating myself up because now I am doubly exhausted.

No, not rude. And not jerks. You have zero proof it's the EPO. As another poster just pointed out - women at this stage of the game have cramps off and on. So your advice - from a jerk - for relief? Give birth. And stop taking the damn supplement if you're sure that's what did it. Or take a warm bath. Or drink a glass of wine. Or drink a glass of water. Or take a nap. You know, all the stuff you remember from your first time to slow early labor.

Love,
A jerk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come on guys. How rude. I actually have a child already so I know exactly how this ends. What I didn't expect from a supplement I've been taking for weeks is 7 hours of labor intensity cramping and no labor! Jerks. I realized the problem was I failed to eat a good snack when I took them the last 2 times. I guess on an empty stomach they are much more powerful. So f'ing forgive me for asking for advice to get a little relief; I'm already beating myself up because now I am doubly exhausted.

No, not rude. And not jerks. You have zero proof it's the EPO. As another poster just pointed out - women at this stage of the game have cramps off and on. So your advice - from a jerk - for relief? Give birth. And stop taking the damn supplement if you're sure that's what did it. Or take a warm bath. Or drink a glass of wine. Or drink a glass of water. Or take a nap. You know, all the stuff you remember from your first time to slow early labor.

Love,
A jerk

Which is it? At least own it. I think you know that it was mean-spirited; what was the point besides kicking someone when they're down?

[Anonymous]

EPO doesn't start labor - it's supposed to soften the cervix so that labor progresses more easily once it does start. The evidence of that is not conclusive, but at the most, that's all EPO is claimed to do for you.

You are 40 weeks pregnant and labor tends to start at night - also when most people happen to take their vitamins/supplements. This is co-occurrence, not causation.

Anyway - congrats! Sounds like you'll meet your baby soon.

[Anonymous]

EPO doesn't cause cramps. Being 40 weeks pregnant causes cramps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:EPO doesn't cause cramps. Being 40 weeks pregnant causes cramps!

Okay, thanks pps. That's certainly what I assumed the first night of it! I am curious to see what happens tonight when I don't take the pills... (I would be relieved if it's just a co-occurrence and won't feel guilty about unnecessarily exhausting myself-- but on the other hand, I will be happier not to have the cramping!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:EPO doesn't cause cramps. Being 40 weeks pregnant causes cramps!

Okay, thanks pps. That's certainly what I assumed the first night of it! I am curious to see what happens tonight when I don't take the pills... (I would be relieved if it's just a co-occurrence and won't feel guilty about unnecessarily exhausting myself-- but on the other hand, I will be happier not to have the cramping!)

OP, I had a ton of cramping leading up to my labor. Just remember that your body is gearing up for labor, the cramping is not for nothing. My labor ended up being super quick and I think it's because I had actually been laboring little by little in the weeks leading up to delivery.

[Anonymous]

I hear you OP! The practice labor contractions/cramps are not fun - especially when they keep you up night after night. Take a bath and try to catch up on some Z's with a daytime nap.

btw - this is a great opportunity to practice your relaxation techniques, whatever method you're using.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just for the record, I skipped the EPO last night and had no cramps. I understand this could still be a coincidence, but the evidence is leaning pretty heavily that the EPO (at my advanced stage of pregnancy) contributed to those god awful cramps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Just for the record, I skipped the EPO last night and had no cramps. I understand this could still be a coincidence, but the evidence is leaning pretty heavily that the EPO (at my advanced stage of pregnancy) contributed to those god awful cramps.

I bet you'll have a completely painless, crampless delivery now that you stopped the EPO. Lol