does this really work?

Question

how far along do you have to be before castor oil works. im 35 weeks but they are going to be inducing me here in about 2 days but the doc said i could try to do it by myself at home. i was going to try castor oil im 1 cm dialated already but not effaced and i know it does work but im not sure how far along you have to be for it to actually help. Only positve feedback please.

i have diabetes and high blood pressure. and baby is way to big thank for the feedback though.

and ive already had to steroid shots for the babies lungs.

Answer 1

Have you tried nipple stimulation? Thats what the midwife blamed my labour on! You can try castor oil any time you like but it can be a bit nasty, Id go for the gentler methods first, nipple stimulation produces hormones which can kick start labour. Good luck!
Extra info: Poor thing I was in exactly the same situation as you except that my membranes had ruptured a week previously and I was only 32 weeks. Some reassurance for you, my daughter was born perfectly healthy, the steriods work very well, although she was in special care we had her home with us within two weeks. Good luck with everything and please dont let those who try and tell you that you are doing the wrong thing get you down, I am sure everything will work out fine and they are quite often wrong with the gestational age by the way, it is just as possible for the pregnancy to be more advanced than they think as less advanced!

Answer 2

First of all, why are they inducing you so early? I read when induced before 38 weeks, your chances of a longer labor and c-section at the end are higher. Apparently there is something your body produces (like a natural lube) whenever the baby is ready to be born that helps it glide through the birth canal, and when the baby and your body aren't ready, the labor is unsuccessful and c-section must occur. I read about it right after I had my son. It's something new research has just discovered. I would be worried about this if I were you. About the castor oil thing though, my sis tried it and it worked for her, but she was a week overdue anyway. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

I was over due and I tried it and it was the worst thing I have went through. I was told I should have tried it again and again. But basically the baby won't come unless he is ready so you may just have to be induced. It's not the worst thing in the world and once you hold your baby it won't matter how he came into the world all that matters is he is with you:) Good luck!
BTW, I did have contractions on the castor oil and they were so much worst and painful than the once I experienced on being induced

Answer 4

As the others have said, 35 weeks is early to be induced - are you having more than one baby? Why are they inducing you? There's a big piece of the puzzle you've left out.

I can't believe a doctor would tell a patient to try and induce themselves at home at 35 weeks.

An induction at 35 weeks would usually only be done in an emergency - you have said they have scheduled an induction for you in 2 days time so there is obviously no emergency.

At 35 weeks your baby will be born premature.

However, if a doctor DID tell you to try and induce yourself at home, did he give you any instructions on exactly what he/she wanted you to do? I guess not or you wouldn't be here asking for help.

I know you only want positive feedback but there is obviously something we're all missing here - it's difficult to give positive feedback to someone who wants to self induce at 35 weeks!

Sorry, but I really just can't bring myself to endorse, recommend or suggest anything that will assist a woman in starting her own labor, unsupervised, at just 35 weeks.

Answer 5

Unless there is a serious medical reason for the induction, you need to refuse. Your due date can be off by as much as 2 weeks, which means you would be encouraging a baby to be born at 33 weeks, far too early for lung development to be exact. And I am guessing, if the doctor said you could try at home first, then there is obviously no medical reason for bringing this baby early.

You'll never be able to take care of your baby easier than right now, when she's tucked safely away in your uterus. For goodness sakes, leave her there until she's ready to come out!!

Answer 6

I've heard to steer clear of castor oil. Massive diarrhea will ensue. Let the baby stay the extra two days. Every second spent in utero can make a difference. Yes, steroids help, but they aren't a garauntee. There will still be complications and dangers for your preemie. I assume they're inducing at the 36 week mark? Generally that is the week they try their hardest to wait for. Mine were born just shy of 36 weeks (was set for induction at 36 weeks due to increasingly sever PIH). Trust me, once you see how small and fragile your baby is, you'll wish he/she stayed in a bit longer. Even with steroids, my babies had apnea issues to do prematurity and eating issues due to the same. Best of luck to you hun.

Answer 7

I had a friend who was 1 week from her estimated due date, and she took it. She said it was the worst experience, but the baby came within 24 hours. It might be worth a try!

Answer 8

if your 1 cm ,you don't need to do anything,let it come on it's own love,don't let them induce you it causes irregular and violent contractions,just say no,try some walking about to get things going,it will come i know it's hard to wait but it will be here soon enough
take care and congrats!

Answer 9

i tried it and it didnt work for me just be patient and the baby will come when he or she is ready