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Castor oil - WWYD?

mrsmiller080407mrsmiller080407
in 3rd Trimester

At my appointment this morning I was 2 cm, and my doctor suggested I mix 4 oz of castor oil in a milkshake this evening to try to help progress labor.

Regardless, he is going to induce me next Thursday or Friday because of my GD.  He just thinks this will help baby along without forcing induction.

Any opinions? Experiences?   

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Re: Castor oil - WWYD?

  • BlueRidgeMamaBlueRidgeMama member
    I've heard stories of castor oil gone wrong, but if I were you I would probably give it a try before a pharmaceutical induction. I think worst case scenario you are on the toilet all day.
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  • kaiteediditkaiteedidit member
    I personally wouldn't do it. From what I've read, it rarely works and just gives you a serious case of the runs. Doesn't sound like fun to me. 
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  • MeanMommyLadyMeanMommyLady member
    Four ounces of castor oil is A LOT!  It is much more likely to put you on the toilet AND have you throwing up in a garbage can you are holding while having evil diarrhea than it is to put you in labor...that doesn't sound like fun to me, I wouldn't do it.
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  • Bride2bMOBride2bMO member

    In my very non-medical opinion, I'd rather have pitocin than castor oil, strictly for the baby's sake. Pitocin is widely used and studied specifically for this purpose, and is only administered in a hospital setting, whereas with castor oil, you're on your own and your baby might experience the same discomfort and bowel movements you do, which could potentially lead to a serious lung infection.

    That said, I'm sure millions have used castor oil without harm to the baby, and your doctor did approve it...he/she likely knows more than me.

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  • kcox123kcox123 member

    I tried it with both my previous pregnancies. I was 3-4 cm already each time I tried it.

    It didn't seem to work with my first. I had a couple bouts of diarhea from it.

    The second time I took it in the afternoon and had a baby by about 2 am that night. I did have diarhea with that one too but the diarhea cramps led to contractions... And at least I was cleaned out when I got to the hospital. :)

    I'm not gonna say its pleasant but I definitely think it can help if the body is at all ready...  I didn't have ANY contractions or anything prior to me taking it either time. Just the dilation.

    Edit: To add that 4 oz DOES seem like a lot. I think I usually read to do 2 oz..I MIGHT have done 3... 4oz is.... A LOT.

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  • seraroseserarose member
    My OB said that it's one of the 2 things (the other being pitocin) that he's experienced as reliable, but that he really wouldn't recommend it for a lot of the reasons that previous posters mentioned (including meconium problems for baby), plus you can dehydrate yourself pretty badly.
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  • nm32216tnm32216t member
    my girlfriend used it and it worked like a charm!
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