I am 38w 4d along. I've read that castor oil can induce labor, but it can also cause fetal distress. Can you tell me your experience when taking castor oil? I also don't want to go into labor too soon.. would it be better to wait till I'm closer to my due date? Thanks for all your help!
2007-08-01 05:00:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
If you take castor oil once you're full term it's hard to say whether it works or not. Why? Because many women might attribute labor to the castor oil when actually they were going to go into labor anyway.
And most women find that the oil gives them cramps and diarrhea which is not only unpleasant, but dehydrates you.
I would not try castor oil unless you are overdue - like 40 weeks or later. Otherwise, just wait and see if baby comes out on its own.
Here are lots of real life experiences from women who have tried it:
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/castorOil.html
2007-08-01 05:05:37 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I took it with my son and honestly it didn't do anything. I dilated a little bit but it didn't make go into labor. I wouldn't tell anyone to do it cause if you are ready then you will go into labor if not it just makes you go to the bathroom a lot. Later on my midwife told me that it can cause fetal distress cause the Castor oil does the same thing to the baby as it does to you. You can cause the baby to have a bowel movement in the womb, especially if you are towards the end of the pregnancy. This is called meconium and can cause problems if the baby gets it in their airway. So I wouldn't do it if I were you... the risks are too great and it definitely didn't work for me at 40 weeks.
2007-08-01 05:11:18 · answer #2 · answered by shay_na19 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tried to induce with Castor oil with my first pregnancy. It was horrible! I had terrible cramps, bad diarrhea, and I was so sore I had to use baby wipes on my poor tush! And it did not start labor. When my daughter was born (I believe it was four days later) she had meconium in the amniotic fluid and they had to take special measures with her immediately after birth to help her breathe properly. They took her to the special care nursery and for the first hour of her life I could not hold her, All I could do was pray that she would be ok. I was horrified I had done that to her because I was impatient and tried to induce. Please do not consider doing this.
2007-08-01 05:16:05 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it worked for me. there r websites that tell u to drink 3 oz but thats almost the whole bottle. I did 1 tbsp. mix with chocolate milk in a shot glass quickly swallowed and then 2 hours later i did the same thing the next morning i was having very active labor i had no diarrhea nothing it worked for me but deffinately ask ur doc. my daughter was and is just fine. my neighbor took it with all three of her kids and the kids and her where fine.
2007-08-01 05:35:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT DO THIS! It's dangerous for you and can be even more dangerous for you baby and make you both VERY sick.
Nipple stimulation causes contractions. If you are determined to start labor, I would recommend a breast pump. Turn it on and pump away. This is the most natural way to induce your labor.
2007-08-01 05:08:33 · answer #5 · answered by Erin 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I took it in desperation at the end of my pregnancy and all it did for me was NOTHING. No diarrhea no tummy problems and most importantly no labor. I would suggest not doing it, it can give you horrible stomach cramps and the runs and most likely will not induce your labor. Hang in there, its all most done.
2007-08-01 05:03:55 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please don't do it. I tried it and not only did it do nothing, but it was the absolute worst thing I've ever tasted in my life. I can't even think of it now without gagging and dry heaving. Awful. Wait a week and try red raspberry leaf tea instead.
2007-08-01 05:10:18 · answer #7 · answered by triviapunky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋