The summer heat is getting to me! I am due on monday, any suggesstions how to induce labor? Does castor oil really work?
2007-08-09 11:06:44 · 9 answers · asked by Germangirl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Walking is definitely one of the best things you can do.
Castor oil is an old-fashioned remedy, but you would need to ask your doctor or midwife how much to take. But for many women it does NOT work and ends up giving them diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps.
You can also take Red Raspberry Leaf tablets in conjunction with Evening Primrose Oil daily to help strengthen and tone the uterus for labor. It will also encourage you to have more Braxton-Hicks contractions which in turn dilate and efface the cervix.
Other methods are breast stimulation to produce the hormone oxytocin (by hand or with a pump), intercourse and eating very spicy foods.
I know how hard it is at the end! Hang in there and you will be holding your baby very soon.
2007-08-09 11:09:27 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Short answer - try EVERYTHING your doctor OKs for you and get mentally ready and positive.
Long answer - nothing short of actual medication has been scientifically shown to induce labor.
Nipple stimulation — either manually or with a breast pump — may release the hormone oxytocin, which can lead to contractions. But the cervix must be ready to open for labor to actually begin. Nipple stimulation is unlikely to work unless labor was about to begin anyway. It may even be dangerous. Sometimes nipple stimulation can lead to contractions that are long and hard enough to harm the baby.
Having sex may get you some of the hormones that induce labor from semen, but very tiny amounts at a time. The best part of sex at this point, though, is that it will relax both parents, burn some calories, and get the endorphins going.
"Natural" remedies, like cohosh, cod liver or castor oil, or evening primrose oil do not actually have any effect on labor. Evening primrose oil may help ripen the cervix, which is a good thing, but doesn't start labor. Cohosh and cod liver or castor oil, and even spicy food, will NOT affect your labor - what they will affect are your bowels. If your cervix is already ripe, irritating your bowels in such a way may start your labor, but it will also start diarrhea and other uncomfortable problems.
Walking is a good idea to help get and keep babies in the right position, but does nothing for labor-starting. It's another case of getting your endorphins going, though, and you'll probably feel better about things in general.
With my first, I tried everything - even a restaurant whose eggplant Parmesan was on national news as a labor-inducing dish. And then I was induced at the hospital because my cervix NEVER ripened on it's own, nor did I ever dilate on my own. Ah well. I was unusual. You'll be fine.
2007-08-09 18:30:01 · answer #2 · answered by Amber C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some doctors will recommend castor oil, some won't. Talk to your doctor first before taking any castor oil. It just might cause you to be on the toilet for a while rather than induce labor. Try taking walks (w/ someone), sex, spicy foods.....even though these aren't for sure ways. Your body will go into labor when it's ready. GL & Congrats.
2007-08-09 18:10:59 · answer #3 · answered by Aja H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people say castor oil works but it can also give you the runs something fierce or make you throw up. No body wants that. Try these methods suggested by doctors and midwives world round, they wont hurt anything, and can be fun.
Walking
Sex
Nipple stimulation
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea (consult your doctor before trying this one)
Good luck and congrats!
2007-08-09 18:14:29 · answer #4 · answered by kittiesandsparklelythings 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i heard castor oil does work. Also, try taking a relaxing warm bath that has shown to induce labor contractions.
2007-08-09 18:11:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My BF told me that castor oil worked for her (she has 6 kids) mix it with OJ to help get it down. BTW its not the act of sex that may help with bringing on labor it is having an orgasm.
2007-08-09 18:23:46 · answer #6 · answered by keenajenn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
monday is around the corner i went ahead and got induced with my first pregnancy and regretted it i should of waited and let nature take its course
2007-08-09 18:11:00 · answer #7 · answered by Driz69 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
WALK ALOT and have lots of sex (try to anyway) orgasms help!!!!
2007-08-09 18:14:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i heard sex is the best way.
good luck with everything
2007-08-09 18:11:37 · answer #9 · answered by mummy to 3 miracles 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋