re: EPO and Cramping

Quoting nursemaya -mommy to 2:" If you are not cervically ripe enough (as determined by a Bishops score) They can not induce you using ... [snip!] ... used for rippening on myself if done correctly, but you must do as your conscious tells you. How many weeks are you now?"

Can't they use a Foley bulb, or is that for something completely different? And i'm 38 weeks.

that's not for cervical rippening - well not really. It tends to be a harsh way to force the cervix open (literally it abruptly forces the cervix from its current dilation to 4cm) It's also a very old school method that is not used by many doctors now, at least not outside military hospitals (not sure why, but it's very popular with military trained doctors) Not every hospital "allows" it, I know ours does not allow doing the foley dilation. Another option might be cervidil cervical rippening - its not nearly as effective as cytotec, but people in general seem more intellectually comfortable with it.
I also found my "self induction" recipe. I shared this with a co-worker and she too ended up coming in at 8cm just before her induction date. I thought I would share what I wrote to her. This is by no means an official recommendation and I take no responsibility for any outcomes related to how you use this. I simply thought I would share this - it is no different then what googled on the internet just gimme one moment  

Ok what I did for self- induction was use the following schedule for evening primrose oil and then I pumped 1-3 times a day (mostly before bed) for 15 min at a crack. I also used red raspberry leaf tea. I was doing vaginal insertion of the oil capsules the 38th week IN ADDITION to taking 2000- to 3000mg orally. total daily dose did not exceed 4000mg. Hope it works for you. I would highly recommend the pumping since it has been shown to increase milk supply following delivery.
According to the National Institutes of Health, evening primrose oil is high in prostaglandins and contains gamma-linolenic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid. Prostaglandins soften the cervix so that it is ripe to begin dilation and effacement as labor progresses; they are naturally produced in higher amounts by the body in preparation for labor and delivery. The use of evening primrose oil to start labor has been around for a long time, and many midwives swear by this technique when helping pregnant patients prepare for delivery. Evening primrose oil does not directly trigger the start of labor, but works by softening and ripening the cervix. This allows the baby's head to engage in the pelvis, encouraging dilation. Not everyone agrees that evening primrose oil will help to soften the cervix.
Visit your obstetrician for permission to use evening primrose oil to start labor, and to make certain your membranes are intact. The introduction of any substance into the vagina, or through the cervix, after a tear or rupture in your membranes may result in a serious infection that could put you and your baby at risk.
Take two 500 mg capsules of evening primrose daily, as soon as 36 weeks' gestation. This will help slowly ripen and soften your cervix, but will not cause you to go into preterm labor.
Increase the amount of capsules you are taking each day to three or four when you reach 38 weeks' gestation. Decrease your dose if you experience nausea or diarrhea, which are two common side effects of evening primrose oil
Insert a capsule into your vagina before bed each night throughout the last few weeks of your pregnancy. This should be done immediately before bed, as your body heat will dissolve the capsule and the oil will leak out of your vagina if you walk around.