Need you guys opinion

I'm 40 wks pregnant and just left the dr I'm 4 cm dialated 80% effaced my dr sugguested I take castor oil to try and induce labor and if that don't work after 4 hrs give her a call and she will set me up to be induced tomorrow morning but she preferred trying castor oil first since I'm already pretty close to labor she also stripped my membranes today. So do you guys think I should take the castor oil and see if it works or should i just tell her to set me up to be induced tomorrow.

Also any experience on taking castor oil or being medically induced will help!

Thanks

[spade22]

Your kinda in a catch-22 situation.

Castor oil will likely cause a stomach upset and will in all likelihood result in diarrhea (its a stimulant laxative), possible stomach cramps that may or may not lead to labor contractions, and can cause nausea/vomiting in some individuals.  There is no scientific evidence that castor oil actually induces labor although many people do swear by it.  So...... if you take it there is a good chance you will get some unpleasant side-effects but no guarantee of labor.

Did your doctor say how you will be induced?  Since you are 4cm Im assuming that either your water will be broken and/or pitocin might possibly be used (the former is most likely).  If either of these methods are used, you will require continuous monitoring.  If pitocin is used you can expect a more intense labor (long contractions that are very close together) than if you go into labor naturally  and  if your doctor breaks your water to induce labor you will essentially be restricted to bedrest and have a 24h window to deliver your baby.  Also, with both these methods of induction your chances of needing a C-section almost double compared to that of going into labor naturally.

So!  Both methods have their downfalls - I guess its up to you to decide what the is lesser of the two evils.

[sameerab]

from what ive heard iw ouldnt do the castor oil..maybe you should try walking and sex more natural ways

[mh2968]

If they are going to induce you tomorrow regardless, I wouldn't do anything extra that may make you more uncomfortable.  Why add to your discomfort?  

[mamaofonetrying42]

If she stripped my membranes today that might be the ex. push you needed, I would just try walking alot! Good Luck and have great L&D!!!!

[Puopci]

Hi, new to this forum and I’m ttc. but to answer your question I work as a maternity care assistant and my advice would be, don't take the oil thing but you should keep up right and walk about even if its just in the sitting room and keep up with lots of liquids and keep your sugar level up which will give you lots of energy to keep going and just make sure you have a very good labour partner with you that really helps lol

If you get too distress then take a nice worm bath its grate said the moms I have worked with.

because I work in a birth centre all the mothers I see don't use much pain relieve just gas and air ad the pool so keep active because 4cm is very good and 80% effaced is grate it won't take too long now. Is this your first baby?

Hope this helps

[JoyRenee]

Stripping the membranes put me into labor (it's actually the first step in inducing labor). I had my daughters within 24 hours (I'm speaking of two separate births, not twins). So don't take the castor oil, it's only going to make you miserable.

Instead, just call and go in to be induced. The next step for induction would be to either break your water and/or start a Pitocin drip. I would recommend and ask that they break the water first because that often starts really good contractions. Then ask that they wait a couple hours and monitor you. Pitocin causes really painful contractions and they usually wait to give you an epidural.

Hopefully, since you're already a 4, you'll dilate quickly.

Are you feeling uncomfortable or any cramps/tightening?

[luv4kids]

I've been feeling alot of tighten and this is my second child which I had my first 2 weeks early and was expecting the same for this one but I guess not and this has been a long road and I'm ready to meet my princess!

Thanks for all the advice I decided to not take the castor oil I don't mind waiing until tomorrow I just wasn't sure if I should follow my dr instructions but you girls definitly help me make up my mind!