Has anyone tried Castor Oil to Induce Labor?

[ramseyh17]

I was just wondering if anyone has tried drinking castor oil to induce labor? I have been doing research on this and I am considering trying it if labor doesn't start on it's own soon. Just thought I would see what you ladies thought about it. I have heard a lot of good stories and then some that say that it doesn't do anything but make you have the runs. So I would love to hear your opinion about it.

[MommyDee86]

I havent tried it myself but a friend of mine did. She mixed it with orange juice and it made her go to the bathroom and about an hour later she was in labor. I think the orange juice helps not only with the taste but with it working as well.. I know that it is probably the safest way to induce other then nipple stimulation which rarely works. And of course there is always sex.. Good luck and if you do try let me know how it goes.. im not quite there but if im overdue like i was with my first boy i will be doing whatever i can to induce this one out.. LOL

[BTS1022]

I was wondering the samething lol. I have contractions all day, and im dilated to 4cm and 100% effaced, and Conner has finally engaged....but is holding on for dear life in there lol. Im half tempted to go try it myself. I know it can make you have diahrrea(sp) sorry....and nausea. But whats different from the regular pregnancy symptoms? lol.

If it doesn't work, atleast you won't be constipated lol

[mamaofonetrying42]

My mom did this with  my sister, she said it made her go #2 all day and it was painfull. But she did end up going into labor the next day!

[AnitaRFrith]

I have heard allot of folks say thats not safe at all.

[ovaz129]

My friend used this with her first pregnancy.  She was over a week late and her midwife (she was at a birthing center where they only use "natural" techniques) suggested castor oil.  She was in labor later that day!  So, it worked for her :)  Good luck... because yes, it does give you the runs!

[BTS1022]

All castor oil is is a laxative, and even though they say it may increase the chances of meconium they don't know how true it is. Most people who use Castor oil are already over due and passed their due dates, and babies who are over due tend to pass meconium anyways, so they are not sure if the castor oil even plays in the role of baby having a BM in utero(sp).

If it wasn't safe then I doubt midwives would still use it to this day. It is actually safer than using black and blue cohosh (herbs) because cohosh can act as an anticoagulant, and you can suffer severe blood loss during labor. I would much rather risk a BM in utero then risk bleeding to death.

BUT, no matter what you do, if your body and baby are not ready to come out...nothing will work. This is why im debating on using it, do I really want to spend this beautiful day on my toilet for nothing lol. But in my mind it doesn't hurt to try. It is actually safer than the drugs that hospitals use to induce you.

[kazwel]

To add on to bts info.

Castor oil is not a nutrient and it doesnt get absorbed by our bodies.  So it cannot be transferred to the baby and cause merconium.

All it really does is "coat" your insides and it does come out with the direahha (sp)

[GRose]

I have heard that it isnt really a good idea. I'm sure you have tried these already but here are a few ideas that can get things moving. Sex, nipple stimulation, and going for a walk. I really believe that walking helped my labor speed up.

[AnitaRFrith]

My friend wanted to use it an he said that some dr's say it ok to use it.  But others say that it can cause deydration from the diarrhea.  An deydration can make it harder on you during labor.  I would not take it.  Its just to uncertain.

[AnitaRFrith]

I have heard that hot baths, foot rubs, sex, walking, squatting down while propped up next to a wall,  exercise, an riding 4 or 2 wheelers will make it happen.  ( Some thing about the vibrations making it happen... )  Yoga can make it happen too.  These are safe.

[laura1985]

my sister in law did this. it did send her into labor, but she was going #2 the whole time. my doctor told me that it is not a good idea, and that it can make labor more painful because taking it cramps up your stomach. just imagine having a running bowel movement AND being in labor. not much fun im sure.

on a side note, my mother in law was there when my sil was in labor. she said that she was going # 2 the whole time, passing gas, and the room stunk to high heaven!

[AnitaRFrith]

I WOULD DIE LOL!!!  Theres no way I could ever do that!  LOL

[Rozy321]

My sister used it.  She had horrible abdimnal cramps and terrible diarrhea!  She went into labor the next day or that night I think though.  I agree with BTS, if baby isn't ready or close to coming out on his own, probably nothing will work.  

[chantal21]

I actually used it when I was 38 weeks. By that time, I had been having contractions ALL day and then they would stop at night. It did this for 3 days or so and the last day they were 5 min. apart all day and stopped again! I was in labor, but it wasn't consistent. I was also already almost 6cm. I wanted things to get going!! So my midwife mixed ice cream with the castor oil...1 hour later went to the bathroom, and my contractions were every 2-3 min. I had him 13 hours later. Now for the downside...I had the runs all day, right up until pushing! (thankfully it stopped when I was pushing!) YUCK! I also did get dehydrated and needed an IV...but recovered quickly. I'm not sure I want to go through that again unless I absolutely have to. I would never take it without a doc or midwife's supervision. She only did it because I was in labor and we needed things to be more consistent. She was 90% sure it would work since I was halfway there. Otherwise, she may not have done that. Good luck!!!

[BTS1022]

It does cause dehydration due to the constant running to the bathroom, but an easy cure for that is to keep drinking water so you stay hydrated.

I atually just got off the phone with my doc about an hour and a half ago, I asked him if it would be okay for me to try castor oil, and he says it's fine. I just need to make sure I drink all the water I can stand to stay hydrated.

It's just a laxative...and wether you drink it or use a suppository, they all do the same. Heck if it wasn't safe, why can you still get enema's in the hospital when in labor?

[BTS1022]

ohh btw....I did try the castor oil about an hour ago.....so we will see if it works. If it doesn't work...atleast I wont be bloated from all the constipation I have had lately lol.

[chantal21]

Oh good luck BTS!!! Keep us updated! I think I drank 10-12 bottles of water while I was in labor and still unded up dehydrated...they even had me drink pedialyte (sp?)...figures...that would only happen to me, right?? lol. (I have a history of getting dehydrated quickly, so maybe that's why!)

[BTS1022]

Thanks! So far I have gone to the bathroom just twice...nothing to bad. I am however nauseated lol which to me is the worse part.

I have been contracting for 3 days now, im dilated to 4cm and 100% effaced....so maybe things will move along for me. If it doesn't work, im just going to sit back and relax and wait for it to happen.

[chantal21]

Sounds like me...I was 4cm and 100% effaced and went into labor the next day! It will happen soon girl!! Hang in there. =)

[BTS1022]

Well so far so good. The bathroom trips aren't as bad as I was expecting, although frequent, but not horrid. The nausea is lingering but nothing worse than what I have been having lately anyways.

I have been having stronger contractions here and there, but nothing to get my hopes up lol.

I guess we just sit and wait.

[TWDsGirl]

BTS i had just started looking at caster oil to see if it was good or anything.  I am 37 weeks and 1 cm dilated and 70%effaced and my baby is engaged.  My doctor told me she wouldn't stop me from going to labor now, so I was wondering how you were doing.  I might go out tonight and get some for tomorrow.  =]

[BTS1022]

well, besides the nausea, and constant bathroom trips im doing good. If you are to take it I would make sure you could stay home all day and not have to leave the house lol or the safety of your bathroom.

My contractions have picked up a bit, they are stronger but not yet regular.

I do advise however, that the taste is horrid lol. I took 3 tablespoons with a glass of orange juice, and I barely got it all down.

I hope it works, but if it doesn't I atleast wont be bloated or feel constipated lol

[TWDsGirl]

Haha well true.  I've been pretty much at home everyday.  I was told last week at my OBGYN app.  that I was 1 cm dilated and 30% effaced.  So I walked all week, and tried having sex, and when I went today for my Dr. App that I was still 1cm dilated but 70% effaced.  She told me if I go into labor now everything will be fine.  So I guess I will try the caster oil tomorrow.  But, I am scared to do it, I should just let her come when shes ready, but I cannot wait any longer.  as bad as that sounds, I cannot wait for her to be in my arms, but I am selfish to want to speed things up.  

[alyssasmom03]

yes i have and yes it worked i took it straight yes it did give me the runs i took at 4pm and i starting having contractions by 9pm and my daughter was born at 7 46 am :)