Primrose oil... Yes or no?
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It's definitely uncomfortable and I recommend starting slowly and working your way to a higher comfort level, but there's more evidence behind perineal massage in the prevention of tearing and I think more doctors might okay it, assuming you're doing it safely (i.e. using vaginal safe lube or a massager or clean hands). Like I said, it can be uncomfortable so I've been really hesitant but there is evidence that shows it can help. At the end of the day, tearing is super scary and there is a variety of evidence and not evidence based methods that people will try. But so far there isn't anything that is guaranteed to prevent tearing. My mom had 8 babies fullterm and only had one single first degree tear. Even with 9/10 lb babies and epidurals. I'm hoping I take after her, but I could also end up with a 3rd or 4th degree. There's a lot that plays into it that is out of our control. I'm more focused on being mentally prepared, and doing what I can to be physically without exhausting myself.
No idea about primrose oil, I actually haven’t heard of it. But in my childbirthing classes this is why they stressed slow births!! Slower births mean less risk of tearing. You gotta give yourself time to stretch out and open more. I’ve also heard from people who tear that usually they’re unaware of it and don’t even feel it which is crazy to me but kinda of makes sense when you’re pushing a whole baby out? Obvs I know that there’s other reasons to not want to tear but hopefully this can help some of your anxieties around it??
There's an episode of the Evidence Based Birth podcast that reviews the literature around Evening Primrose Oil. Based on what I heard, I will definitely be using it. I don't remember it mentioning anything related to prevention of tearing. The focus of the literature was moreso on cervical ripening and progression of labor from what I remember
You can take primrose oil orally they sell capsules everywhere but I got mine at Whole Foods
I would be really hesitant with inserting anything that isn't recommended or okayed by your doctor up your vagina. Tearing is definitely no fun, but neither is a vaginal infection or irritation, especially just before giving birth. A quick Google search shows that similarly to EPO having a slight chance of softening your cervix, it also has a slight chance of increasing the risk of uterine rupture. In my personal opinion, there isn't enough evidence yet to show that it would be helpful enough to outweigh the potential risks for me. I don't have GD, so I have been eating dates to help prepare my body. For me, there really isn't any risk. Best case scenario it MIGHT soften my cervix and help labor, worst case scenario it does absolutely nothing and I've just been eating dates and got some nutritional benefit. That's typically how I make my decisions when it comes to home remedies, especially ones that don't have too much evidence behind them.