Question

KateySue

I am at risk for having our little guy early and at the beginning of our journey, I met a gal at my doctor's office who is due the same month and is also high risk. We were chatting yesterday about constipation and she said that her midwife gave her the okay to take castor oil.

???

Am I overreacting here or does this seem like a really silly idea? She is 22 weeks along, a week behind me. Doesn't castor oil aid in starting labor? Would that really be the safest thing to take this early on when she is already at risk for an early delivery? I expressed my concern and she said that she would wait a few days to see if things work themselves out. I'm taking those few days of her waiting to research as much as I can - I've gone into protective mode. I really don't want her to face any bigger risks or complications than she already does. 

If you have any insight, I would appreciate it. Maybe I'm totally missing something...

witt0198

I don't know what it would do at 22 weeks, but I have some co-workers who swear by it for starting labor. One of them had 3 of her kids the day she took it. I don't think I'd mess around with castor oil during pregnancy, it just seems kinda severe too. What about more mild things to start like a stool softener, or eating some prunes? Pear juice is pretty awesome at helping with constipation. It's really mild, no cramping/gas, just BM the next day.....sorry if that's TMI.

GL

Denesdia

I was given Colace (OTC stool softener) when I was on bed rest and it was great, and safe.  I don't think the Castor Oil is a good idea.  And, it's disgusting, to boot!

kamcfarlane

my sister took castor oil to try to start labor. all she got was the runs.

SkypekWithoutAC

You mentioned that her midwife said to try the castor oil, but if you're both high-risk, I'm assuming you met at a MFM office or something like it? If so, I'd have her ask her high-risk doc first. If he/she agrees, then I guess that's something...I'd probably stick with Colace or something myself, but if she wants to drink castor oil and the docs say it's OK....

ijack

Caster oil doesn't "start" labor, it loosens your bowels which can give you cramps that can start labor. If she's taking a low dose it probably isn't a problem.

KateySue

 Thanks everybody for the replies! I will relay your wisdom to my friend. It threw me a little because I was instructed to take stool softeners so when she mentioned castor oil, my alarms went off. 

SkypekWithoutAC:

You mentioned that her midwife said to try the castor oil, but if you're both high-risk, I'm assuming you met at a MFM office or something like it? If so, I'd have her ask her high-risk doc first. If he/she agrees, then I guess that's something...I'd probably stick with Colace or something myself, but if she wants to drink castor oil and the docs say it's OK....

Yes, you are right - we go to the same MFM however she has a midwife "on the side" as she says. She is hoping to be approved by her doctor to have a home delivery (I highly doubt it will happen) so she also meets with a midwife on occasion. Too many different visits and medical opinions for me, but whatever floats her boat.

Lavender444

Hmm. I personally would rather take a stool softner, but it seems like she is wanting to take a natural path avoid pills. If her doctor says it's okay, then that's who she should trust.