Sports Research Evening Primrose Supplement from Cold Pressed Oil - Softgels for Women’s Health & Skin Health - Gluten Free & Non-GMO GLA - High Potency 1300mg, 120 Count

I'm going to write the review of this product that I wanted to read when I was ordering this. It has to do with WHY I ordered it.I'm 36 weeks pregnant and unless I go into labor on my own, my doctor only wants me to have a scheduled c-section. Frankly, I feel like I'm being bullied into it and I'm trying to avoid it if at all possible. There is no solid medical reason for it.So, step one in the labor process is softening the cervix. The doula and midwife have all recommended EPO for this. Please note that this does NOT begin labor, it does not even cause contractions. It simply prepares your body for that. After getting their okay I first purchased something locally that was very expensive and only came in a liquid form, so I couldn't use it as directed.It will make your head spin to see how many products are out there. Most are marketed with language that "is not supported by the FDA" that list softening the cervix as a purpose or potential use for EPO. This product does not list that, though one of the bullet points lists prostaglandin production as a benefit. Prostaglandin is essential for softening the cervix, your body will naturally produce it as your time approaches.Since I need to show some "progress" towards natural labor I started with this. About this product, for this purpose:-This product is a great quality product that I feel comfortable using and relying on to be consistent in dosage and ingredients-The capsules dissolve completely. I won't get into how they are used (ahem) but they work exactly how I need them to-Though the capsules are large, they are relatively easy to take orally-If you don't want or need to swallow a full capsule then they are very easy to puncture and drain. The oil inside is very consistent and even tastes like the EPO oil I got from the local compounding pharmacy for way too much money-The packaging is a flip-top type bottle so it's easy to use. If you need to childproof it you will need a different bottle on handNow, if you're reading this because you are in the same boat as I am, you want to know if it works. Well, yes, apparently it does. I really do not know if the effect was incidental to timing or to the use of this product, but I went from 0% and hard to 50% effaced and 1cm in less than 5 days. The first 24 hours of use produced some very mild, low cramping sensations but that was it. Depending on how you are taking them you need to start with a single dose and monitor yourself for any side effects. If you have any GI issues, feel nauseated, get headaches, or become dehydrated from the GI issues you are taking too much. This is a high dosage for this purpose, if you're at all concerned you need to order a lower dose.I do plan to continue to take it after this baby is born (though not right away) because it has some other purposes that I was looking for anyway.This is basically all I'm doing to try and encourage things to take the next step, other than the usual walking and whatnot. I'm very pleased that it seems to have worked as efficiently as it has. My doctor was mildly surprised to see progress and we are now looking at this birth as a trial of labor instead of scheduled c-section. That was exactly what I had as my goal and it's been achieved. Again, I don't know that I could say with 100% authority that this product is entirely the reason for it but all the evidence points to it. Talk to your medical professionals that are willing to discuss the use of alternative products and make sure this is a safe use for this product, and if so then I definitely recommend this company and product specifically.