Castor oil to induce labor?

Question

I am wondering when is the best time to take castor oil. Morning or night? I have tried it at night and I got some contractions, but they went away. How much are you supposed to take? and how many times, I think you are supposed to take more than one dose but i aint sure. Thanks

Thanks for all the answers so far. If you are just going to judge me, don't waste your time. Also the sex is not an option, I am doing this by myself. But thanks

Answer 1

My friend took it at night like 8 pm and she took like 3 tablespoons. She had the runs all night until like 4 am her water broke. She stayed with me that night to have a ride to the hospital, thats why I remember so well! She had him at 10 am that morning. Just make sure you know your due date she ended up havingmy God son early because the Dr's miscalculated her due date he stayed in the hospital 4 days before they let him go home he was considered a prem she was 35 weeks and 6 days!!! You know anything over 36 weeks is considered full term. He was 4 lbs and something. But he would have been small anyways! Good Luck

Answer 2

Why does a castor oil induction work?
Castor oil stimulates the bowels in the same way an enema would. For some unexplained reason, when the bowel is stimulated to empty in this way, the uterus is also stimulated to empty. A study in Alternative Therapies, January 2000, reported that 57.7% of the mothers given castor oil began labor in the specified time period while only 4.3% of the mothers not given castor oil went into labor.

2-6 Hours after drinking the castor oil, the mother will experience diarrhea and should begin contractions.


To see the rest of the article, http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/technique/castor.html



Another view:
In midwifery and homebirth circles, ingesting Castor oil is a commonly accepted way to induce labor. I have a few warnings about this and other so called "natural" ways to encourage labor when the body and baby are not ready for birth. First of all, this is a sure fire way to bring about dangerous complications. Yes, I know that many women use castor oil without disastrous results. And yes, generally castor oil is so mild that if your body isn't ready to give birth it won't anyway. BUT, there is the increased risk of fetal distress due, among other things, to dehydration via diarrhea. There is also the fact that being stuck on the toilet with abdominal cramps is a miserable way to begin labor and can put a downward spin (no pun intended) on the whole experience in that sense, right from the start.

http://www.compleatmother.com/articles2/childbirth/castor_oil.shtml

Answer 3

Castor oil only works if your body is truly ready. There are other safer methods to induce:

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: 6 cups a day with 2 bags in each

Lots of walking

SEX... as often as possible

Nipple stimulation.... the most effective is with a breast pump for 20 minutes at a time several times a day followed by walking

black or blue cohosh... but only in the recommended dose... too much can be dangerous

Answer 4

With my baby I took castor oil at about 10:00pm and around 1:00am I started contractions....I took just a cap full and it set me into labor.....granted castor oil is a laxative so be prepared!! It also depends on how far dialted you are before you take it....becuase if you haven't dilated your better off waiting...it does soften your cervix but be really careful when taking it....if you take to much it can do more harm then good!! Most midwives recommend using 2 ounces....Before you take it make sure you are close to your due date and consult your doctor. Good luck

Answer 5

Bad Idea!

Castor oil will speed up your contractions back to back, there will be no intermission between contractions. You can cause serious complications, and put your child at risk. It's not worth it. If you want to induce do it properly under hospital supervision. There they will give you Oxytoxcin to induce. I strongly suggest you get your OB/GYN advice before you proceed.

Congratz on the baby.

Answer 6

Quite honestly, the answer is never. From what I understand, Castor oil can cause the fetus to have a bowel movement in the womb, which can be quite dangerous.

Answer 7

I took it in the morning and then when walking four miles but i had already been in labor for 56 hours and after i went walking it was about four hours and then i hit an eight and my water broke then after that it was still 11 more hours till he came but take it in the mornin

Answer 8

I wouldn't try it. Castor oil just gives you the runs. If you are overdue and would like to induce labor naturally you can try having sex or pumping your breasts.

Answer 9

i don't know about the castor oil thing but i do know that if you have someone rub your feet and then rub on your ankles for a period of time then it will cause you to go into labor.... a message therspist told me that.

Answer 10

I WAS SO IMPATIENT WITH MY FIRST THAT I JUST WALKED A LOT AND HOPED IT WOULD HAPPEN BUT I WAS SCARED TO DO THE CASTOR OIL THING I DONT THINK I WOULD EVEN IF I WAS OVERDUE BUT I HAVE HEARD IT WORKS SO EITHER WAY BE SAFE AND CONGRATS