Castor Oil as Natural Way 2 Induce Labor

My friend was overdue and miserable and tried this after trying everything else. She had severe cramping, horrible long-lasting diarrhea, and ended up in the er because she got dehydrated and needed to be put on IV fluids. No labor though. She went another week and half but was even more miserable because she felt like she had the stomach flu at 10 mos pregnant. They told her in the er that the dehydration can put you into labor, but that doesn't sound like a safe and healthy way to go into labor, especially if you are hoping to be given what will basically be an emergency C-section at that point.

No, I would not do that.
And you should NOT do that, without telling your OB/GYN... or you could get complications.

USUALLY, with a planned c-section... they do it prior to your actual due date... that is how it was in my case... with my 2nd pregnancy which was a planned c-section. My first pregnancy being an emergency c-section.

Do NOT self medicate.

Tell your Doctor you are having contractions. They have pagers and can be contacted any time or through the hospital. AND, go according to your Doctor's specifications.

Waiting until April 2 seems a long way off, and you are already measuring 42 weeks. At your most recent pre-natal visit... what did the Doctor say? For me, once a woman is near their due date or in the last trimester... my Doctor sees the woman every week.
You REALLY need to tell your Doctor...

All the best,
Susan

Hi F.! I personally wouldn't use it as there is the risk that the baby would also be affected and would pass meconium before birth and aspirate it. Very dangerous in my opinion.
Congrats on your upcoming arrival!

k

Yes I tried that. And if you are already having contractions already and add castor oil...Then you can count on dealing with loose bowels (to put it nicely) while you are in labor, getting checked it, while in surgery, and in post-op recovery. BTW -- Castor oil didn't work for me. Didn't have that child for another two weeks.

I never tried it but had a couple of friends that did it. And they would tell you don't do it! All it did was give them horrible cramps and very loose stools. I think it's an old wives tail because it does give you cramps which make you think they are contractions but it doesn't induce actual labor. I had one friend who was at her due date and having contractions so she did take castrol oil, went to the hospital a couple hours later and they said she was far enough along to break her water and get her going on pit. She had the baby that night so she swears it was all due to the castrol oil but I really think she was already in labor and with our without it she would have had that baby that day anyways.

I agree with the 'no's' Have sex instead, also try nipple stimulation--both methods release hormones that get you contracting and will not cause severe cramps, frequent bowel movements or a yucky aftertaste :)

Hi saw you got a lot of don't do its. But I have done it 4 times and it worked with 3 of them. All of them were at due date and not arriving lol. You don't need much. about a tablespoon will do it. we put it in a dixie cup and filled the cup with oj. I did it went to bed and about 4 hours later I had contractions starting. my next child pretty much the same thing. my next son it didn't work on. but the last one it did. if you take it and it doesn't work then your not ready. don't do it again. it does give you a really loose stool. so maybe go to the bathroom if you can before landing on the table lol. my doctor was a gp and was in his late 50's. he is the one who told me I could try it. so while some will say its an old wives tale someone into the whole homeopathic thing might say do it instead of the drugs they use to induce at the hospital. good luck.

I don't know if castor oil induces labor, but I know that it makes your hair really soft. :)

i have heard that this is an old wives' tale, and also that it just makes you "go". try having sex instead! i've heard it works better - and at least a little more fun ;)

Castor oil can be used ot induce natural labor. But, you should not try this unless you are over due. You only need a small amount. Our natural birth instructor told us to put a tablespoon in scrambled eggs. This is a laxitive. You will be going potty A LOT! A better way to get the contractions going is sex and walking.

You may just be having braxton hicks. You should try to carry this baby as long as possible. Babies sometimes need a full 41 1/2 weeks to bake.

What is the reason for not trying a VBAC?

I think all it's going to induce is your bowel movements. Then you'll have intestinal cramps to suffer through along with the labor pains. Walking usually helps things along naturally, without the loose stools. If it seems like things are progressing call your OB to see what he/she says. Good luck with baby!