how much Castor oil should i take to induce labor?

Question

I 'm 38 weeks pregnant .. I 'm due august 16th..i wanted to know how much Castor oil do i take to induce labor ?

Answer 1

Castor oil will only work if and when your cervix is ripe (soft and dilated to at least 2 cm).

I took 3 oz mixed with orange juice to jumpstart my labor with baby number 3. I took it once on day one and once on day two. I was in full blowen labor on day two.

During my labor with baby #4, my midwife had me drink 3 ounces once when my labor slowed down. We combined that with nipple stimulation and avoided the need for pitocin.

Castor oil DOES work. But make sure that your cervix is ripe before using it or you could fail. I would only use it as a last resort though, the diarrhea that comes with it is horrible! If I were you, I would try nipple stimulation first.

Answer 2

If you use castor oil DO NOT drink it. First off it tastes nasty, secondly it causes diarrhea and you do not want that while you are in labor. If you are going to use it rub it on your belly and cover the area w/ saran wrap and place a heating pad or moist wash clothes over it. It still helps to induce labor w/ out the bad side effects. I will warn you it is messy though! Also, rubbing your nipples for extended periods of time, sex and walking help to induce contractions also.

Answer 3

I don't believe taking Castor oil will induce labor. I know it's hard to wait for that baby to come, but really only a doctor can induce labor. There really isn't anything you can do to make it happen quicker. Try to just enjoy the end of the pregnancy. Who knows, you might actually miss feeling those little kicks once he/she is here.

Answer 4

I checked webmd and this is what they said:

Castor Oil - Stein occasionally recommends swallowing a small amount of castor oil after the 38th week. “There’s no direct action on the uterus. It’s indirect via stimulation of the bowels, which lean on the uterus. This only seems to work when the body is ready to go into labor.”

But Harper says there’s “no good evidence” for inducing labor with castor oil. “Castor oil brings on horrific diarrhea. I don’t recommend it, because you could get moms dehydrated.”

So, it's probably not worth trying this method of labor induction. Be patient, it will happen when the baby is ready and if need be the doctor will induce your labor safely.

Answer 5

DONT!!! i had a best friend who actually went overdue and tried this old folk remedy, all it did was give her horrible diarreah (spelling) and hurt for hours. On top of that, if it does by some miracle work and you induce labor you will probably jump straight into hard labor which is horrible for your body. You need to go into labor naturally. if you are set on induction at all costs, talk your doctor into doing it at the hospital where you can be monitered the whole time. i remember the crazy get this baby out of me feeling but i can tell you after having one induction and one natural labor that it's worth the wait to do it when the baby decides. Everything goes so much smoother and the labor itself is a lot easier.

Answer 6

Do not take Castor oil it doesnt work by no means...it is just an old wives tale...if you want to induce labor try having sex...make sure your partner does not wear a condom... because there are chemicals in semen that actually softens the cervix and orgasms sometimes cause contractions....HAVE FUN!!! if you don't go into labor it isnt meant for your little bundle of joy to come yet

Answer 7

Castor oil will not induce labor. I trird it when I was two weeks overdue. The baby wll come when it is ready to come. The doctors can induce labor but it makes it harder on the mother. Let nature take it's coarse.

Answer 8

I did 3Tbsp. I used a shot glass and chased it down with something carbonated. After you take it go walking. I don't mean strolling, I mean kinda quick walking. This will help you get your contractions started. The Castor oil will also help you have a BM so when you give birth you don't poop. I just hope you can stomach it because just writing to you about it is making me gag. I did it for 3 of 4 pregnancies and it work 2 out of 3 times. I just did a lot of walking for the 4th one and he came a month early. Do what you gotta do and GOOD LUCK.

Answer 9

I have heard different amounts, from a few tablespoons to like 4 ozs. With my first pregnancy I took 2 tablespoons with a small cup of OZ, and it did nothing, not even one bathroom trip, so this time if I need to take it, I going with about 4 ozs.

Answer 10

I tried it with my first child. I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!!!

I took a teaspoon or two, mixed in juice--GROSS, by the way.

I spent an entire day in the bathroom, dehydrated myself, and still waited 3 more weeks to have my daughter. Don't waste your time! Just try to get some rest and enjoy the last 2 or so child-free weeks.