Labor induction with Castor oil

I am almost 39 weeks pregnant and am scheduled to have an induction next Wednesday 10/18. My cervix is not opening on its own and I have severe back/hip problems and my doctor is not sure that I can deliver my baby boy naturally if he gets much bigger. I may need a c-section anyway, but we are going to try to induce so that maybe he will not be too big to deliver. I was wondering if anyone had used castor oil to induce their own labor. I was wondering if I used it at home a day or two prior to my induction date, if maybe it would help things along so that I am not in the hospital for so long while they use the gel to try to get my cervix to ripen. Should I just try to have alot of sex and do alot of walking? The baby is in the right position and I have been having contractions for the past couple of weeks, but my cervix is not responding! My doctor said that I will need help with ripening my cervix. I am going in Wednesday night and they are going to use the gel suppositories for 12 hours and then if I do not dialate, they will use another one for another 12 hours. Then if I dialate, they will go to Pitocin, and if not we will go to a c-section. I would like to try something at home so that I am not waiting around for 24 hours before I have the baby! Please let me know if anyone knows anything I can try or if you have been in this situation! Thank you!

[jackiemoo]

Good luck to you, Pitocin is awful stuff. Sex is OK, sperm weakens the cervix, castor oil is horrible and I wouldn't recomend it to anyone. That baby will come when he is ready! Walks are ok, but don't tire yourself out. They say elevation changes can cause you to go into labor.Try taking a drive up towards the mountains if they have them in your area! They say spicy foods, especially if you aren't used tyo them. Just relaxing and not thinking about it is the best bet I think, easier said than done I know. Good luck to you!

[AndiJ78]

Castor oil is a bust as are many other "home methods" Nothing is going to work if your body is not ready for it. Given the fact your cervix not opening, nothing but time will help. you can try sex, but there is still no guarantee it will help things ripen.

Andi

[siren of the sea]

still no baby??? i thought i read you have been having contractions? maybe i have the wrong mom  to be lol.

[AndiJ78]

No baby yet, lots of contractions. Finally 1 cm, doc touched CJ's head on Tuesday, did a little sweeping, but still no baby.

Andi

[greenpixie]

You have to be careful with Castor oil b/c it can cause the baby to have a BM, which you definitely don't want. Still, some women swear by this so just research it carefully before you do it.  You can try using Evening Primrose Oil to ripen your cervix and that is messy, but safe.  Also, see if there is an acupuncturist in your area.  One or two treatments is usually enough.  Don't beleive the story about driving down a bumpy road to induce labor.  If that were true, every women in this town (Boston) would have their baby early! LOL.

[siren of the sea]

i dont know about the epo. ive read to not take it. dont do anything without dr approval. andi has had great advice here on not inducing on your own. IF your dr says its ok, and only if, maybe see a massage therapist to work your pressure points to start labor. but if your not ready, your cervix, you could cause major problems. (see andi i followed your advice:) ) good luck to you im sure you are very ready!!oh i just re read yo;u may need a c section. DO NOT DO ANYTHING TO INDUCE. i know you want to have this baby very soon, but if you do you are going to possibly cause a situation not good for you or your baby. happy labor to you!

[5preg2B]

I did it with all three of my kids with NO success.  yes I'm just plain stupid..  don't do it..

[myproblem]

I don't think I could do it, but my sister did it with her 1st, and he was born within 24 hours of when she took it. You'd better check with at least a midwife. Most Dr.'s say don't.

[HIS GIFT TO US]

Wouldn't chance it especially if it causes baby to have bm too soon

[emma10]

Did they do an u/s to estimate the size/weight of baby for you? Mine was done for g/diabetes and they were 4 lbs off--they said he was 11 lbs and he was barely 7 lbs so be careful with those u/s techs--I almost had a c-section cause his report was in my records and baby had some distress. Luckily had very patient doc who let us push for hours and hours.

I vote for the walking but you are talking serious walking here, couple miles of it, everyday or twice a day, doesn't have to be uphill or strenuous....now is not too soon to start. Stay hydrated. I vote for sex too, with lots of orgasms.  Have you been walking all along?  

I don't know if it will work for you but Chinese food was my secret when son was 2 weeks (yes, 14 full days!!!) late. We were scheduled for an induction next morning. Castor oil sounds like a dumb idea for all the reasons above.

[Momoftwogirls]

omg - DON"T DO IT!  I tried it and was miserable - sick from both ends - no labor.  It is TOTALLY not worth it and TOTALLY not effective. I know it is horrible to hear, but it'll happen when it is supposed to happen - honest.

[mba3mom]

I have 3 children. I was induced w/pitocin which was the most severe pain I have ever felt. Labor lasted 26 hours. I used castor oil in my second birth...it started labor 6 hours after. My son came out in 9 hours. I used it to start my third labor as well, but I think this midwife made me take too little because it was long and drawn out, and I had a lot of clotting of blood. That labor I lost count of after 24 hours... If you take it, the best amount for me (I am an overweight person) was 2 teaspoons in 8oz. of Orange Juice. You have to mix it up fast and gobble it down because it tastes horrible. I never heard of the babies having a bowl movement because of it. My kids did not, but everyone is different. My problem with all 3 was that I never "dropped", or had a bag of water break. My first child went to be a 42 1/2 weeks when the u/s showed decreased amniotic fluid. So that's why I had to get the pitocin w/ the cervical softner. You won't need it w/the castor oil most likely. Good Luck!

[cugirl]

I just read in a parents magaizine that women who have sex in the last couple weeks are more likely to not go into labor and women who dont have sex are more likely to go into labor.  Dont know how true this is.  Dont use methods to induce labor...let it come naturally or let you dr do it.

[emcy2]

nipple stimulation: releases the hormones oxyytocin which triggers contractions.

sex: semen contains prostaglandins which ripen the cervix.

long walks: gravity helps the baby move down the cervix.

Pineapple: Fresh pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which softens the cervix, must be fresh and not tinned pineapple.

Spicey curry: When things start working in the bowels this has a knock on effect on the cervix.

Clary sage massage: This essential oil is linked to strong uterine contractions.

Castor oil and orange Juice: Just like the spicey food and curry this can make your contractions begin because ofthe irritation it causes the bowel.

You should not try any of these methods until you are near your due date and you have consulted your doctor first.
Good luck
xxxx

[renchiik]

I am a nurse (RN) who want to share my experince of initiatin a labor on my due date after two previous birth experinces with Pitocin/Oxytocin at 42 weeks and 40 weeks accordingly 7 and 14 years ago (both of them were big babies so I was afraid this time around my baby will be even bigger). I had an appointment with my ob a week and a half before my due date. He said I am about 1 cm dilated but my cervix is firm (not ready yet). Immediately that evening I started to use evening primrose oil (5 softgels, purchased in a local health store, orally during the day, 2 pills vavinally at night). Plus, I started myself on Black and Blue cohosh tinctures (10 drops of each in a cup of water every day till day of the delivery). Next Friday I was still 1 cm dilated, per my ob, but my cervix was not firm anymore! So, Sunday, I took castor oil milkshake twice 3 hours apart (2 oz. castor oil, 2 scoops ice cream (any kind) and 2 oz. orange juice). The taste was even pleasant. Diarrhea started in 15 min and lasted all day long on and off (wasn't too bad, no nause, no vomiting). I slept well through the night and in the morning some abdominal cramping started that intensified through the day. I ended up going to the hospital the same night and having a happy and a healthy 8'12'' baby boy. Good luck everybody!