Castor oil - no judgement please, already done.

Sarahbbew · September 2012

So, I took CO this afternoon to help me induce labor, I'm three days shy of my due date, so baby is fully developed, no harm done in asking her to arrive a few days early. I know it doesn't always work, especially if your body is not ready for labor, but that it can be worth a try.

Well, I was dilated to just under 2 cm yesterday when I went in for an internal exam, 20% effaced, baby low enough that Dr. said I may just go into labor this weekend. Sounded promising, so I power walked to pick my DS up from school, ate some crazy spicy pizza, and power walked some more.. nothing.

This morning I went for another LONG power walk and decided at noon to take the CO. 2 1/2 hours later, the diarrhea began, but I sucked down water all day, no worries about dehydration. Some contractions, but nothing major and the diarrhea stopped around 7:30 or so.

It is now midnight, and I guess I'm just wondering how long it took for any other moms who have used CO to get going with the real deal contractions. I did not use CO with DS when he was born over 5 years ago, so I don't know how this works except what family and friends who have used it before have told me..

How did it work for you??

mandawest · September 2012

Not that I have tried this, so no personal experience, but my doctor mentioned it. She said something along the lines of "you aren't trying that castor oil thing?" (she cringed) and then went on to explain that it can in fact induce labor because the body gets so dehydrated from the puking/diarrhea that castor oil causes and therefore causes the uterus to start contracting...etc.

str8outalne · September 2012

My friend's sister took castor oil and swears that it worked. She gave birth the next day. Could be coincidence though, but in my birth preparation class they did say castor oil can induce labor....though not recommended because of the unpleasant tummy issues....

mandapie · September 2012

My gf took it with her last 2 and within 12hrs of taking it had babies. The first time I think she was a day or so after her due date and the 2nd time it was 2wks before, so it goes to show that if the conditions are right then they are right either way. (Her cycles have also been way wonky so for all she knows she could've been a little farther along than she thought with the 2nd one).

MelissaV10 · September 2012

I haven't tried it but my SIL did and she only had a little bit of diarrhea and it caused her bowels to contract which in turn caused contractions in her uterus. She gave birth that afternoon!

PrimRoseMama · September 2012

My good friend tried it and it just made her extremely sick. Baby will come when he or she is ready. Walk around, bounce on your birthing ball, and have some eggplant Parmesan. All of those must be so much better than choking down CO, puking and diarrhea, yeah?

Don't torture yourself. I know you asked for no judgement, but I think you are putting yourself through unnecessary dehydration. That is dangerous for you and baby. Use your brain and stop putting your health at risk with old wives tales that give you the poops.

You can think I am a judgey old biiitch, but I side eye mainlining castor oil.

pinitbaby · September 2012

I have never done the CO thing...was always too scared lol But I had a couple gf's over the years use it and it helped them along. I guess it just depends how favorable your body is to go into labor. Good luck

Sarahbbew · September 2012

PrimRoseMama:
My good friend tried it and it just made her extremely sick. Baby will come when he or she is ready. Walk around, bounce on your birthing ball, and have some eggplant Parmesan. All of those must be so much better than choking down CO, puking and diarrhea, yeah?
Don't torture yourself. I know you asked for no judgement, but I think you are putting yourself through unnecessary dehydration. That is dangerous for you and baby. Use your brain and stop putting your health at risk with old wives tales that give you the poops.
You can think I am a judgey old biiitch, but I side eye mainlining castor oil.

No, I don't think you are a judgey old ***, haha! I understand that not everyone agrees with using CO for obvious reasons, ie. diarrhea, dehydration. I expected some feedback from every side.

I did however already take the CO and already had the diarrhea and stayed well hydrated through it.. now it's morning and still no baby girl, so I guess it didn't work out this time, either that or she just isn't ready yet.

CO, we had a good run, at least I feel free and clear in my bowels!

Back to spicy food and power walking I guess!!

mopsie · September 2012

Sarahbbew:
PrimRoseMama:
My good friend tried it and it just made her extremely sick. Baby will come when he or she is ready. Walk around, bounce on your birthing ball, and have some eggplant Parmesan. All of those must be so much better than choking down CO, puking and diarrhea, yeah?
Don't torture yourself. I know you asked for no judgement, but I think you are putting yourself through unnecessary dehydration. That is dangerous for you and baby. Use your brain and stop putting your health at risk with old wives tales that give you the poops.
You can think I am a judgey old biiitch, but I side eye mainlining castor oil.
No, I don't think you are a judgey old ***, haha! I understand that not everyone agrees with using CO for obvious reasons, ie. diarrhea, dehydration. I expected some feedback from every side.
I did however already take the CO and already had the diarrhea and stayed well hydrated through it.. now it's morning and still no baby girl, so I guess it didn't work out this time, either that or she just isn't ready yet.
CO, we had a good run, at least I feel free and clear in my bowels!
Back to spicy food and power walking I guess!!

Like you said, your body will go into labor when it's ready. If it was ready, then the CO may have helped put you over the edge by the diarrhea and whatnot. So if your body won't be ready for labor until 41 weeks, then all the castor oil in the world won't jumpstart labor. I think anecdotes about when it worked for other people are only going to make you want to try it again... not worth it!

dpraseutsinh · September 2012

i would have just tried the downing a bunch of pineapple juice thing :P at least that tastes better and doesn't make you sick :P

samamurp26 · September 2012

I tried it too...guilty! I know a few people who swear by it. The night before I tried it, I had tons of pressure and contractions so I was hoping my body was ready for a little nudge. I stayed really well hydrated too and just had lots of diarrhea and no baby. Lesson learned, old wives tales stopped there. I have been eating a lot of pineapple, but more so just because I love it than anything else.

I underestimated how hard this part would be. I was pretty sick the first 20 weeks and had pneumonia for a month but this is worse. I am trying to hard to stay positive and enjoy her moving in my belly, but...its rough. Good luck!!

Sarahbbew · September 2012

samamurp26:
I underestimated how hard this part would be. I was pretty sick the first 20 weeks and had pneumonia for a month but this is worse. I am trying to hard to stay positive and enjoy her moving in my belly, but...its rough. Good luck!!

I did too! DS was so easy, it was all sunshine and freaking rainbows with that pregnancy, and this one has just been totally at the other end of the spectrum! I have been working really hard on trying to stay positive and enjoy the end of the pregnancy before I have no more mommy time for a while, but it's so hard when I'm so uncomfortable!!

On another note, I am having regular contractions for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.. getting a little more intense but still about 12-13 minutes apart, so I don't know if something is happening or if it's just more BH.. I will keep this thread updated!

mrsmklynch · September 2012

Oh you poor thing! That was such a terrible idea. I'm not judging - I did it too with my first - it's just such an awful experience, I regretted it immediately. I took it on Thursday and my son was born on Sunday. HOWEVER, he was already a week and a half past due. For all I know, he could have been coming that weekend anyway even without the castor oil, and I may have just made myself miserable for no reason.

Sarahbbew · September 2012

mrsmklynch:
Oh you poor thing! That was such a terrible idea. I'm not judging - I did it too with my first - it's just such an awful experience, I regretted it immediately. I took it on Thursday and my son was born on Sunday. HOWEVER, he was already a week and a half past due. For all I know, he could have been coming that weekend anyway even without the castor oil, and I may have just made myself miserable for no reason.

Luckily, it wasn't a horrible experience. I took it with ginger ale and pineapple juice concentrate and had my husband stir it til it was damn near in my mouth, so it didn't taste bad going down. The worst part was my fourth and fifth times to the bathroom where there was nothing left in me, but the castor oil was still working on my gut.. horrible cramps, but when it was done it was done. At least my pipes are cleaned out now.

I figure she'll come when she's ready, but if I can kick start it, damned if I wont try!! I pumped for a bit yesterday to try to get it going again.. nadda.

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Castor oil - no judgement please, already done.

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