cod liver oil to induce labor?

Question

has anyone every heard of or used cod liver oil to induce labor? did it work, did you take the gel caps or what and how much did you take. or does anyone have any other ideas to help bring on labor contrations?

i am having nonproductive contractions and dilated to a "loose 1" but doctor won't induce untill i am OVER DUE

Answer 1

There are safer methods out there -- cod liver oil, in the best situation, will give you diarrhea and cramps, which *can* cause labor contractions, but only if they were going to start soon anyway. It won't actually cause labor to start, and is very uncomfortable in the process!! In the worst situation, I believe it can cause other problems -- sometimes causing the baby to have a bowel movement as well, releasing meconium into the amniotic fluid, which can cause infection if the baby drinks it. Overall a bad option.

Try nipple stimulation, sex, walking a lot... I've heard that eating spicy foods and pineapple could work, but they could also just bring on heartburn, so use at your own risk.

Answer 2

I have heard of it and never tried it with my 3 pregnancies, not even when the two were overdue...your supposed to drink castor oil which I assume would be the same affect as taking a bunch of cod liver? But anyways it's going to make you sick, cramping, diarrhea, maybe vomiting. The theory behind it is the abdominal cramping will kick start labor...but it's not without serious risks...it could also upset the baby and cause a premature poop in utero which they can get in their lungs and cause serious respiratory issues when born. To me it was a big if, if it would even work and the risks far outweighed the chance you may go into labor and who wants to be doubled over with cramping and diarrhea then have labor start on top of that? Try other safe ways, sex and walking.

Answer 3

:) Anxious? Eager? Tired of it? It's been a long time since I was pregnant, but I still remember how exhausting it could be, and how it just seemed 'unreasonable' to have to wait any longer to 'meet' this person you're carrying! (that feeling is only due to the hormone changes.)

IF cod liver oil worked (I'm positive it doesn't), it'd be a bad idea anyway. Unless something is actually 'wrong', your baby will arrive in it's own good time. 'Due dates' are just estimates...even if a woman knows the instant she got pregnant, each baby and each mother is different and the time of gestation will vary, sometimes quite a bit. I had one of mine that went two weeks 'past due', and had a friend who went a whole MONTH 'past due' and both babies were healthy. Generally it's thought that each day longer in the womb is another day healthier for baby.

Now, having said that, some folks figure that walking is about the best thing to bring on labor. I don't know about that, but I'm 100% positive that walking will make your labor a great deal easier! So my advice is, GO WALK! :)

Answer 4

Didn't work for me. You have to drink the liquid. Your doctor can give you something if you are ready to deliver. But most want to wait until they start on their own. If you do induce labor with drugs (I forget the name of it) the contractions are much more intense but they don't go on and on as long. I was induced with my daughter and was only in labor for a couple of hours but the contractions were so intense that I tore the bedsheet. With my son my doctor did a pelvic induction by hand to dialate my cervix. My labor was much less intense but it did go on for about 5 hours. If I had to choose which I would do again, it would be the second one. It is very much more bearable.

Answer 5

i went over due aswell and my doctor just told me to take 6oz castor oil and i did that day just before dinner and went for a walk for a while and of cours i got cleaned out if you know what i mean but its better than that being all over the birthing table anyways at 4 in the morning i was in full labour and had my son that day lol so for some ppl it works but i never heard about cod liver oil i take that regularly, so i dont think that it would work but chek with your doctor best of luck

Answer 6

Uh, you must be mistaken. "Cod Liver Oil" is a product commonly used in the following ways:

Healthy skin
Strong bones and teeth
Healthy joints
A healthy cardiovascular system
A healthy nervous system and prevention of depression and other mood disorders
A healthy lining for your digestive tract

I think if you have concerns about inducing labor SAFELY, you should consult a doctor. Labor is intended to happen according to nature's calendar...not our wall calendars.

Answer 7

It's cod liver oil liquid you need! But too much will just make your bowels loose! Try a hot bath or a hot curry. alternatively a walk might help!? x

Answer 8

it is an old wives tale but not healthy, it floods the liver with vitamin a which does not leave the body quick enough to not cause problems, if you want to induce...walk around...there are also herbs that can help..go to web and find them..but not the oil....be safe

Answer 9

The hospitals gave cod liver oil to my daughter who was 12 days overdue. It worked.
When I was pregnant I scrubbed the kitchen floor and brought on contractions.

Answer 10

Yes, I've heard of it. No, don't do it.

You'd be hard pressed to find a doctor out there who'd agree to let you do it...unless, of course, you enjoy the very likely occurrence of vomiting, diarrhea and no labour...as well as a risk of serious dehydration.

Baby will come in its own time, and if not, your doctor has safe methods of inducing labour. Patience. Patience.