my doctor has prescribed me to have 1tsp of castor oil from 37 weeks onwards. shud i? will it induce labour?

Answer 1

If you want to. Doesn't really matter to me.

Answer 2

That's a REALLY odd thing for a doctor to PRESCRIBE. Most doctors I have ever asked say to stay FAR away from it. It increases the risk of mycomium (poop) in the amniotic fliud that harms the baby when they breathe it in. Also, 1 tsp of it won't do anything at all (If it's used to induce labor, the rule of thumb it to try 3-4 TABLESPOONS!). I have tried using castor oil during pregnancy and I would avoid it at all cost. My doula says she will have someone try it as a last resort if they are 40+ weeks pregnant to avoid being induced; however, she says that the risks of using it before that are too high. It won't work unless you are already starting to efface/dilate anyway... it will just make you ungodly ill. My poor "rear end area" was so sore for days!!

There is the rare case when you will hear someone say it worked, but I did a TON of research when I was thinking of trying it and I found more negative than positive about using it.

Just do your research. I agree with someone else who answered when they said you should ask your doctor WHY they are prescribing it - don't you want to know anyway? Again, that's very odd for a doctor.

Answer 3

You should read this:

Castor Oil to Bring on Labor
First let me just say that I do not recommend this method. That is because I used it with my second child and it was just about the most horrible mistake I could have made (other than maybe getting another epidural, anyway). Read my birth story for the details.

The theory behind this induction method is that the castor oil causes diarrhea and the diarrheal cramps cause sympathetic cramping in your uterus, another smooth muscle. This is another of the methods that "won't work if you're not already ready anyway", as the sympathetic cramping will be ineffectual if all conditions are not already optimal for labor. In my case, my contractions began 10 minutes after my first dose of oil, hours before the diarrhea began. Therefore, it could not have been the castor oil that brought on labor in my case, and I caused myself all that trouble for nothing.

There has been much debate over whether taking castor oil to induce labor will cause the baby to have its first bowel movement in the womb before birth. This pre-birth bowel movement, called meconium, can be dangerous, because if baby inhales some of it it can cause pneumonia in the lungs. Meconium is also a widely-held signal that the baby is in some sort of distress. Most professionals with any experience with castor oil inductions agree that this is untrue. They have found that there is no increased occurrence of meconium in castor oil induced labors over spontaneous labors.

The real danger lies in the mother when using castor oil for labor induction. With the severity of the diarrhea, a laboring woman can quickly become dehydrated. Especially in a typically highly managed hospital birth where a woman is allowed few fluids. Dehydration makes one tired and less able to endure through physical activity. Plus, not only does this endanger breastfeeding (proper hydration is necessary to make adequate milk), but a dehydrated uterus is an aggravated uterus, and an aggravated uterus causes more pain for the mother. More pain makes a woman less able to handle natural child birth and puts her and the baby at increased risk for a snowball of interventions.

Source: http://babyuniversity.com/index.php/content/view/624/43/

My own experience:

When I was prgenant with my son who is now 5 years old (he is very healthy and he was born that way) I was about 38 weeks and I felt like I just couldn't take it anymore my mother had advised me to take Castor Oil in order to help the pregnancy move along at a faster pace and it definetly worked. You just have to be careful that you take the prescribed amount that the doctor tells you. I know my mother isn't crazy and she would never try to cause any harm to me or her unborn grandchild. It's something my families practiced for years and years, we are from South America orignially so castor oil might not really be that recognized by Americans. But it really did help me, I had a natural birth with a midwife and everything and it was a really beautiful experience. And just in case people think i've just came to this country and I have no clue what i'm talking about, I was born in the US. I am also 14 weeks pregnant and I do plan on doing the same with this pregnancy if it's neccessary. But to make you feel better you should research it, but I know it is definetly was not harmful to me or my son and castor oil does not taste that bad, it never made me sick. Castor oil is also good for alot of other things and i've grown up using it as a child. Oh, and it didn't cause me to have uncontrollable diarrhea either.

Answer 4

I have heard that it can induce labour, it worked for a friend of mine. I am 40 weeks and three days. I took it and still no baby! Think it must only work if you are ready. Doctor must be prescribing it for a reason though .

Answer 5

My sister in law was in the hospital after she had her baby and there was a woman in there that had taken Castor oil to induce labor and her baby died from it...I wouldn`t take it!!! Research it and ask a different doctor for a second opinion and then talk with your doctor again...

Answer 6

Your doctor is an idiot. Caster oil is used to stimulate the bowel and yes cause contractions to induce labour, it does nothing else but make you go poo... Sometimes it can give you severe diarrhea and that can lead to infection and dehydration, both dangerous for you and your baby. This was used WAY back in the day before we got smart and realized the risks weren't worth it.

Answer 7

I find it hard to believe that a Doctor prescribed Castor oil. It will not induce labor, it will just make you sick!

Answer 8

I never in my life had a doctor say that. I would get a second opinion and Im not sure I would let this doctor be my doctor any longer. You have a good week to 4weeks to have the baby anyway some even go to the 42weeks.

Answer 9

I would go see a different doctor. No matter what you heard castor oil is not safe.

Answer 10

My doctor told me that was pretty much an old wives tale but that it wouldn't hurt to try it if i wanted to. If you want to and can get that stuff down go for it. alot of walking and sex are supposed to help also. none of it worked for me(didn't try the oil). I still went 2 weeks past my due date. congrats on the baby and best of luck to you.

Answer 11

Why has he advised this ? Do not be afraid to ask questions. If he is a good doctor he will gladly answer them.