Castor Oil For Labour

lilmissdeedee · January 2015

Hi I was just wondering if anyone had used castor oil to start labour off, if it was effective and how soon it worked. Also how much people took. I am currently 37+1 today and after doing a lot of research into it was really thinking about giving it a try.

YaMrWhite · January 2015

lilmissdeedee said:
Hi I was just wondering if anyone had used castor oil to start labour off, if it was effective and how soon it worked. Also how much people took. I am currently 37+1 today and after doing a lot of research into it was really thinking about giving it a try.

QFP.

Also, no.

Megpie5 · January 2015

Sure...my grandma in the 1950s. But she also smoked and drank while pregnant and gave my mom a liquor when she was teething...so I wouldn't go by her guidelines.

AlfiesMOM · January 2015

Noooooooo

mc0113 · January 2015

It's a terrible idea. Relax. You could still be pregnant for 4+ more weeks! I'm currently 40+5 been almost 4cm dilated and 70% effaced for 2 weeks now. Baby will come when it's ready.

Josie400 · January 2015

Have I heard castor oil success stories? -yes. But I've also heard of the the not so successful stories which only resulted in explosive diarrhea and dehydration. It's not something I would want to try, and especially if you're not even full term yet.

BackseatDriver · January 2015

From what I've read it seems like it can be used safely when you are full term (at least 39 weeks) under supervision of a medical professional. I don't think I would be interested in taking it orally, but I believe it can be taken vaginally as well and perhaps that might prevent some of the unpleasant side effects. If it is something you are interested in trying I would talk to your provider at your next appointment for guidance.

lilmissdeedee · January 2015

Its a general question I was asking so if people just want to be negative then why bother posting? I've already spoken with my midwife about it ( and done other research too) and the only way there is a problem is when people don't keep their fluids up and get dehydrated. I was only asking for peoples experiences with castor oil as I'm due to be induced early by the hospital anyways so would rather try something that will start my labour off so I don't have to be induced as the induction process last time caused my son to get distressed and I nearly ended up having an emergency c-section because his heart rate had dropped so much, so would rather avoid any chance of this happening again if possible

MNgirl326 · January 2015

Most people do have negative experiences with it, which is why it is the common thought practice NOT to use it.

The story you just gave is way different then your OP you started with.

If you are being induced early for medical reasons, and you don't want judgement from people, then give the whole story from the beginning. It helps.

BackseatDriver · January 2015

I don't have any personal experience, but I would follow the guidance of your (nurse) midwife in terms of timing and dosage etc. if your midwife is not an advanced practice nurse I would talk to an OB.

BookitBoo · January 2015

What did your midwife tell you specifically?

lilmissdeedee · January 2015

She told me it wouldn't hurt to try as long as I make sure I drink plenty of fluids as it only works if your body and your baby are ready for labour, otherwise all it will do is make me need the toilet

BookitBoo · January 2015

Where I'm from castor oil is a punishment. I would wait for baby to come when baby is ready rather than be miserable on the toilet. Pregnancy is miserable enough, right?

lilmissdeedee · January 2015

I'm booked in to be induced at 38+4 so I wasn't thinking about trying the castor oil method until I'm 38 weeks anyway, was just wondering if it worked or if it really was as unpleasant as some people experience as I've heard it can either go really well or the complete opposite, and didn't really want to take it until I'd heard people's story's first

BackseatDriver · January 2015

When I looked up efficacy of castor oil it seemed like they were looking for effects within 24 hours so if this is something you are considering to avoid being induced I might be inclined to try it close to your induction date. I think it would be worthwhile to follow up with your midwife for specifics though.

I would ask the following:

How much should you take?
How should it be administered?
When should you take it?
If you experience side effects what can you do?
What should you look out for in terms of dehydration to seek medical care?

aks01 · January 2015

I think I'd rather be induced.

Maebb · January 2015

Lol, no.

AU88 · January 2015

I didn't have the craps but it didn't work for me and I still ended up being induced at 40w. I think if you stay hydrated it's worth a try. If baby isn't ready it won't work anyways.

sanbry · January 2015

My induction with my daughter was awful and I had to have a c section. I think i would still take the induction over the risk of explosive diarrhea and stomach upset from castor oil. That sounds so miserable.

reyrey2014 · January 2015

One of my good friends used castor oil and black cohosh with all three of her pregnancies and she swears by it. She had easy, fast labors. I was in the room for the birth of her second son, it was the best birth experience I'm aware of, only 4 hrs and she didn't scream or anything with no medication. She delivered in a bath tub at a birthing center. She did mention you need to be dilated to at least 4cm, with a bulging bag and be effaced for it to be beneficial. Trying natural induction methods sounds much more pleasant than all the horrible side effects of medical inductions. I'm 39 weeks +1 day and I'm going to try to induce (or encourage) labor via acupuncture on Monday (my midwife said it is safe for me to do and studies have shown it to be effective). Good luck! I hope you can avoid having a negative birth experience this time!

bpzeiler · January 2015

I haven't had any personal experience, but apart from the diarrhea for you, it can also cause the baby to expel its meconiun, which can be very dangerous. Personally, I would try other "natural" methods first, like pineapple, dates, raspberry leaf tea, nipple stimulation and hand/Achilles' tendon pressure point activation. Also, pitocin isn't the only medical way to induce labor - have you asked about using cervical ripeners first/instead?

5flowerz · January 2015

If you want something natural try doterra esssntial oils , clary sage helps to induce labor and help with dilation!

Jellybean707 · January 2015

ExcitedMama2 said:

I'd rather be induced than have the shits. I'd especially rather be induced than have the shits WHILE BEING INDUCED.

So much this.

lexirolle · January 2015

I've heard it working an also the black cohosh, I remember when I was younger there was this tea my cousins made an drank, with the raspberry leaf an another leaf not sure what it was but babies where born either that night or next day, I've also heard one of my friends baby's meconium being swallowed too because she took it early, but it's a personal choice weigh out the pro's an con's

SpaceGirlSpiff · January 2015

Just no.

kcsparky · January 2015

Why would you want to try this at 37 weeks? I can understand maybe if you were overdue, but now?!? I would say wait and see what happens over the next 3-4 weeks and then make the judgement call.

Mrs_Bennett · January 2015

reyrey2014 said:
One of my good friends used castor oil and black cohosh with all three of her pregnancies and she swears by it. She had easy, fast labors. I was in the room for the birth of her second son, it was the best birth experience I'm aware of, only 4 hrs and she didn't scream or anything with no medication.

I gave birth last week without any screaming or pain medication, and it was only a four hour labor/delivery process. No castor oil or black cohosh was involved.
Just sayin'....

mperez95 · January 2015

A

marvan5 · January 2015

mperez95 said:
A

I have always gotten great responses on this board, even if I had asked a repetive question or totally put in the wrong information. If you come in looking for "smart asses" that is always what you will find. OP wasnt up front with her situation and was given honest experiences based on the information. Obviously it's not a popular method so don't start calling people names when you hear feedback that isn't exactly what you want to hear. If she wants to do it, do it but don't expect everyone pregnant woman to voluntarily sign up for the shits preterm. Good day.

Edit realized not OP just some troll who deleted the post. Ugh.

marvan5 · January 2015

mperez95 said:
A

Ugh quote fail again. Some one help me out here my phone is not cooperating.

JK52 · January 2015

I currently write to you from my toilet and I'm now 3 days overdue. Castor oil seems to be doing nothing for us 6 hours in but confining me to the bathroom while toddler hands and paws try to reach under the door to ensure I'm not dying like Elvis on the throne.

beccs88 · January 2015

Another unfortunate side effect is it can make baby take it's first poo while inside you! Then baby might eat it and this would not be good.

Beauxbaton · January 2015

Eh, I tried it with my first son. I didn't take a lot. Maybe a tablespoon? I was 40 weeks though. My.son was born at 40w 4d. But I think at that point I was doing everything. Nipple stimulation, EPO, RRL tea, acupuncture, sex...So who knows if any of it really worked.

Either way, I agree with the ladies prior. See what you midwife says, and don't take more than they suggest

4littlebears · January 2015

beccs88 said:

Another unfortunate side effect is it can make baby take it's first poo while inside you! Then baby might eat it and this would not be good.

Not eat it... inhale it! Causing infections in the lungs.

YaMrWhite · January 2015

CuppyCakes721 said:
Eh, I tried it with my first son. I didn't take a lot. Maybe a tablespoon? I was 40 weeks though. My.son was born at 40w 4d. But I think at that point I was doing everything. Nipple stimulation, EPO, RRL tea, acupuncture, sex...So who knows if any of it really worked.

Either way, I agree with the ladies prior. See what you midwife says, and don't take more than they suggest

---quote fail---

You were past your due date. Seems to me baby came because baby was ready. Not because you did any of those things.

jneden · January 2015

My sister in law said she did it with her DD who was born in October. She took a little bit and then contractions started within a couple hours and she said she had no weird side effects. She was about 37 weeks along. I personally would rather wait until the baby is ready though. I know the end is uncomfortable but hang in there, you won't be pregnant forever!

tslmom87 · January 2015

My induction was hell and I'd rather do that again than go through shitting my life away.

Bradleymandy22 · January 2015

With my second my Dr had me take it 3 different times and nothing. No poops no nothing. And it tasted nasty. And with this pregnancy I took it once and all it did was give me gas.

rachel+family · January 2015

Ask about a midwives cocktail. You need lemon verbena oil, castor oil, almond butter and apricot juice. Sounds awful but apparently the lemon verbena makes it not a toilet induction. I did castor oil and oj last pregnancy at 40 weeks and 4 days and it worked. I ended up with a csection though. No bad side effects