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.

[kiddogrey]

When I went into labor with my daughter 2-1/2 yrs ago, I had severe back labor and every time I had a contraction I had to vomit and poop at the same time. That was without castor oil. I am now almost 39 weeks with my 2nd daughter, and do not want to have another c-section because I am 2 weeks overdue and the baby is too big. I have been going to an acupuncturist for the last 2 weeks, and also having my membranes stripped at my midwifes appt. Last tuesday I was 2 cm dilated and cervix was nice and soft but still thick. I have been taking evening primrose oil 3 times a day and drinking red rasberry leaf tea once a day for the last month. I work on my feet 6-8 hrs a day 4 days a week and have been having fairly regular braxton hicks contractions that are either short but spaced closely together (30 secs, 3 mins apart) or long but spaced far apart (1min, 11 mins apart) I passed my mucus plug yesterday. My next acupuncture and midwife appt is on monday, If nothing has happened by then, I am going to try the Castor Oil.

[kiddogrey]

When I went into labor with my daughter 2-1/2 yrs ago, I had severe back labor and every time I had a contraction I had to vomit and poop at the same time. This lasted for 45 hrs after which I had a c-section. That was without castor oil. I am now almost 39 weeks with my 2nd daughter, and do not want to have another c-section because I am 2 weeks overdue and the baby is too big. I have been going to an acupuncturist for the last 2 weeks, and also having my membranes stripped at my midwifes appt. Last tuesday I was 2 cm dilated and cervix was nice and soft but still thick. I have been taking evening primrose oil 3 times a day and drinking red rasberry leaf tea once a day for the last month. I work on my feet 6-8 hrs a day 4 days a week and have been having fairly regular braxton hicks contractions that are either short but spaced closely together (30 secs, 3 mins apart) or long but spaced far apart (1min, 11 mins apart) I passed my mucus plug yesterday. My next acupuncture and midwife appt is on monday, If nothing has happened by then, I am going to try the Castor Oil.

[Ashelen]

Please realize that while there's a risk to the mother of dehydration (which also puts the baby at risk)...the "unseen" risk is that baby will have a bowel movement in the uterus as a result of castor oil. More progressive midwives are beginning to advise against using castor oil, and most OBs today do not advise it.....even 38wks is barely full-term and baby could be in there for weeks more with a bowel movement. you need to discuss this with your midwife/OB if you don't go into labor soon because they may need to check on baby's condition.

[esparza_mommy]

I'm 37 weeks and 5 days along. This is baby #3 and I'm dilated to a 1 so far. This morning around 7:30 I drank about two ounces of the oil with some OJ. Taste wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  Its 11:00 right now and I've only made about three trips to the bathroom.  I'm nauseous but nothing too bad. I'm not contracting. Just sitting drinking water making sure I stay hydrated! I'm starving but I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to eat right now!??

[Kenyon_JaKaylonsMommy]

I have mixed feelings about it. I took it the first time and took 4 cap fulls of it straight, I got a few contractions about two hours later then it was done with. I waited and took some two days later and mixed 2 ounces of it with 6 ounces of orange juice but I only drank half of it. A couple hours later my contractions set in they were every 4 minutes when they first started. I got to the hospital 2 hours later and they started coming right after another. I was checked when I first got hooked up and was not dilated or thinned out at all. Two hours later I was checked and was 2 centimeters. Then they were still coming back to back but had made me stop dilating. I was in the hospital for 7 hours and they told me to go home still having the contractions. Since then my contractions stopped and nothings happened. I tried to take 2 teaspoons last night and nothing happened at all. There really is no taste to it but the oilyness of it made me gag numerous times. I guess it is true that it will only work if your baby is ready to come out. It ***** but I just have to wait a 2 more weeks to finally meet my baby boy.

[Lesley27]

OMG NO! dont do it! mamaof4410 is right, your baby is not considered full term! moms who take this are full term or past overdue... i would wait at least 2 more weeks(if you REALLY cant wait)... you can cause serious affects to your baby if he/she is born and the lungs are not developed fully! why would you want to risk not being able to hold your baby when he/she is born cause you were in a hurry not the baby... thats selfish and unsafe dont do it!