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April 2011 Moms
Castor Oil Part1
My DR office say they induce at 41 weeks. I don't want pitocin! I'm trying for a natural birth. I attempted to bring on contractions with the breast pump. I was excited to see I got a teaspoon of colostrum from one breast but no contractions.
My MW wasn't apposed to castor oil because I am already 2cm and 70% effaced. She said if your cervix is closed tight and high, you are not a good candidate for CO.
I just took one tablespoon blended in strawberry banana V8 fruit juice. Wasn't bad at all, I chased it with chilled sprite. That was at 10am. We'll see if it gets the ball rolling? I wonder if I'm being too conservative...
If I feel nothing in 5 hrs I think I'll take another tablespoon. The package insert says you can take a max of 4 tablespoons but I've heard stories where women drink 1/2 or the entire the bottle! I don't recommend it. They said it did bring the baby but they had uncontrollable runs through their entire labor.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Castor Oil Part1
Or maybe you're just not ready to go in to labor...
My mum used castor oil to get the ball rolling with my little brother and she told me recently she took 2 tbsp. and that was just enough - she had "to go" realllly bad for an hour or so and not long afterwards her contractions began. By the time she went to the hospital, the side effects had worn off and she was good to go.
I'm considering this route, but only if I go past my due date. Still have a couple days to go!
::Castor Oil Part2::
My first tbsp was at 10am with no effects. At 1:20 I took another tbsp. Scared to try anymore than that. I'll continue updating if anything changes. By the way, I highly recommend the banana strawberry v8 juice. I mixed the CO with it and I can't even taste the oil. Tastes like thick juice. Didn't even trigger a gag reflex.
This very well could be true. Putting the goal of labor aside, I'm surprised the 1 tbsp of co didn't have any laxative effect on me.
::Castor Oil Part3::
It's 5PM and I started having painless contractions an hr ago, back to back. They are over 2 mins long and 4 mins apart. I don't know if this is from the castor oil or from my MW stripping my membranes yesterday. If you can believe it, I still have no laxative effect from the 2 tbsp of castor oil! I read on the insert that it could take 6 to 12 hrs to take effect. So the question is....is this irritable uterus or is this labor?
::Castor Oil Part4::
Well constant strong contractions kept up with some discomfort till 11PM when I went to bed. I woke up this morning and feel menstrual cramps. All the contractions stopped once I went to sleep. Baby is moving up a storm, that makes me feel good and reassured.
So what have a learned from this: Take at least 2 tbsp for some effect, castor oil doesn't act as a laxative for me (still waiting), it doesn't make me puke, it does start contractions, you may need to take anther dose after 12 hrs to keep the ball rolling.
I thought about taking another tpsp or two late last night. I didn't do it because I was nervous I'd spend the whole night in the bathroom.
Do I give it another try today and keep the ball rolling this time? Have these post inspired anyone to try it or not to try it?
I am going to try it today. As soon as my hubby wakes up. I am going to put 2oz in with some OJ and fresh strawberries in the blender and hope that i can suck it down quick so i don't taste it. My due date is tomorrow and i wouldn't be concerned about going late except we are a military family and we have about 3 weeks to finish getting packed and move to our next duty station so im really feeling the time crunch. I would be happy to also leave my experiences here and let ya'll know how it works for me. I have read some ppl (MW's and such) that recommend taking 30ml of castor oil on the hour, then another 30ml exactly one hour late, then another 30ml one hour after that- (so a full 90 ml in exactly 2 hours) but that seems a little much for me, so im gonna try with just the 2oz.
At my last check up (wednesday) I was about 70% effaced and almost 2 cm, but since then I have been having painless (possibly braxton hicks) contractions thru most of the day thursday and yesterday along with some crampiness but it all goes away when i go to sleep.
Good Luck ladies, and I will be back on in a few hours to see whats new!
I have no bowel issues at all. I usually have a bowel movement one or 2 times a day. I eat pretty healthy, lots of fruits and vegetables. Plenty of fiber in my diet. I really don't know why I never had a laxative effect from the co. I'm thinking I already had my poops for the day yesterday so I just didn't need to go lol. Talking about poop makes me laugh.
I think it will have a different effect on you. You have a different system so I can only guess that it will really make you go non stop. However who cares if it makes you go non stop, it will stimulate labor. Nurses see this stuff all the time. My sister is a LD nurse and said a women drank 4oz and had the runs all through her labor and after baby arrived. Baby was born healthy and happy. It was a success!
Oh yes, share your experience with us! 2 tbsp vs 2 oz is a big difference. I'm curious to see how it effects you! Good luck
)
::CAUTION:
Hi ladies, I know this post has gotten some attention and it may have inspired you to try the castor oil. I wanted to mention that it can cause extreme dehydration if it does bring on a laxative effect.
Before taking the co make sure you have lots of gatorade or pedialyte. You need to be drinking a lot of fluids and drink something with electrolytes. As most of you know there is also the risk that co will make the baby poop.
Well, I took the 2oz at 9:30 this morning (i blended it with 4 oz of oj a small handfull of strawberries and some ice) it didn't taste too bad, mostly like fruit, but the burps after were a bit unpleasant. I have been to the bathroom once and now feel completely empty lol. There were a few moments of queasiness but nothing real serious. I am planning on relaxing for most of the day drinking water and gatorade and munching on some saltines.
Also I just did some research on whether the castor oil can actually make the baby poop or not, and there isn't a whole lot of evidence either way. Most women who attempt to induce with castor oil are already overdue, so therefore more likely to have meconium present anyway. There isn't any conclusive evidence either way.
But I will keep ya'll updated.
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it is now, 2:30ish (about 5 hours since I took a 2oz dose of castor oil) I will be honest and say that i don't feel great. I have had several trips to the bathroom, but nothing painful or over the top. I've been drinking water and gatorade and trying to nap. I have lost the rest of my mp since this morning and have had a few contractions, but nothing regular yet.
we shall see what happens...
Exciting! Are you going to take more or just wait and see what happens?
I am definitely not going to take more lol. i'll be honest and say that i've been in the bathroom more than i would like and my back end is in a little bit of discomfort which im not too crazy about. I have been sleeping/resting most of the afternoon and I will probably get up and take a walk here in a bit now that i've stopped needing the bathroom
Hopefully with some walking the mild contractions will become more regular.
I'll be back again later!
How exciting, good luck! I am definitely going to try this tomorrow
I found 1 tbsp to be ineffective. 2 tbsp brought on a lot of contractions.
I hope it works for you! So exciting
) If you feel nothing in an hr, I suggest 2 more tbsp. You can go up to 4oz. Starting with the smallest dose is a good idea. Good luck!
Well it was worth a try
By the way, ehouck33@gmail.com took 2oz instead of 2 tbsps and her water broke. I wonder if 2tbsps was too small of a dose for you?
LOL "The good news is that my system is ALL cleaned out in case I ever do go into labor." haha.~ kayla&joe
When will labor happen for us ladies?!