Natural Birth
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Castor oil or not?
So I have been totally against the idea of taking castor oil because of the risk of dehydration and the fact that there is mixed opinions on whether it starts labor or not. Now I'm getting desperate though. I have an induction scheduled for Tuesday morning and I really, REALLY want to try to start labor naturally so as not to have to deal with the pitocin (they won't break my water because of GBS). Should I give in and try castor oil or just wait and allow the medical induction on Tuesday? Refusing the induction is not an option either.
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Re: Castor oil or not?
Why can't you refuse the induction?
I would start be doing nipple stimulation like CRAZY. And lots of sex.
Castor Oil would be a last resort for me. I personally wouldn't use it unless I was past 42 weeks and didn't want to go farther for whatever reason.
If you really absolutely can not wait on the induction then maybe it would be worth trying. Just be sure to stay hydrated.
GL.
If you really feel like you've tried everything, have done research into the potential complication of CO, and you don't have a medical need for induction that might make things more complicated, I might try it.
I think this is one thing that is very personal. Some women would NEVER try CO, some don't really have a problem with the thought.
My doula had a successful induction at 43 weeks with her 4th (how many 4th babies go into their 43 week? haha). I don't know if she would "recommend" it, but she preferred it over the pitocin induction she had scheduled for the next day.
If you really can't hold off for a few days on the induction, it might be worth the try IMO. But I'm not to that point yet, and don't have experience. Just my opinion from where I am.
I used Castor Oil to induce my labor with DS. I would never use it again. I would much rather go in for a pit induction first.
Take a look at the Natural.... Not. A Birth Story post. My contractions were very similar to hers, it was terrible.
Thomas ~ 07/07/2008 ~ 8 lbs, 5 oz
What's in my camera bag: Nikon D5000, Kit Lens 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 35mm 1.8G, 50mm 1.8G, 85mm 1.8G, Tamron 28-75mm, SB 600 Speedlight
Global Developmental Delay consisting of a receptive language delay and self help skills delay
I'm a day ahead of you, hoping to avoid induction, and have one scheduled for Friday night. And I'm not planning to do castor oil.
I took 1 TB last week in the evening. I planned to take 2 TB then another 2 TB in an hour, but it was all I could choke down, the oily feeling and flavor almost made me puke. I woke up in the middle of the night with the most horrendous abdominal cramping ever. I could hardly even hobble to the bathroom for my one bout of diarrhea that it brought. I was soooo relieved that I didn't take more and suffer through that for longer. Especially since it didn't put me into labor, and probably wouldn't have if I had taken 2 oz or more.
Yesterday I did 8 hours of blue & black cohosh tincture, following the instructions here, but no baby with that either. At least it didn't make me sick.
Good luck either way!
Is it other medical issues that they HAVE to induce you?
I'd try taking 100-300mg of evening primrose oil orally (pill form, available at any store usually) in the morning, and putting 1000mg in vaginally at night (be sure to wear a panty liner to catch any oil leakage.
Try eating spicy foods, walking, squatting, lunging.
DO NOT TAKE CASTOR OIL. As desperate as you may be, you can't be THAT desperate. It can cause all sorts of digestive issues.