Cervical Softening & Natural Labor Preparation: What You Need to Know

Question
hi,iam a first time mom,due in 4 weeks,i needed to know if there is any medicine i can take to prepare cervix for birth and labour,i heard that  people take evening  promise oil tablets 500mg 3 tab /tdsfrom 36th week till birth,and strwabery tea etc.are they helpful?or can they be harmful,what else can be done to avoid episiotomy  or a tear for a first time mom?
thanks for answering


Answer
There is nothing you can take to "prepare" you for labor. You will automatically do fine. The cervix will soften on its own. Most of us do not autimatically perform episiotomies any more and opt for a small tear in the perineum if it occurs rather than purposefully cutting and having to repair the cut. There is always a risk of an extension into the rectum when we perform an episiotomy. We often thin out the tissue using KY Jelly or baby oil as you are pushing. Primrose oil or strawberry tea has no effect in softening the cervix of preparing you for labor.  In order to avoid tearing or needing an episiotomy, just push when told to push and hold back and relax when instructed to relax. It is the uncontrolled pushing that causes tears. A controlled delivery will very often avoid any tears at all. Good Luck to you.