Does caster oil work to induce labor?

Answer 1

Women have used castor oil to help induce labor, but it should only be used under the direction of your doctor. It can provide good results if you are already in early labor. It is believed to work by causing spasms in the intestines, which surround the uterus toward the end of pregnancy. These spasms, in turn, cause the uterus to cramp, which might result in labor. There has been much debate over whether taking castor oil to induce labor will cause the baby to have its first bowel movement in the womb before birth. This pre-birth bowel movement, called meconium, can be dangerous, because if baby inhales some of it it can cause pneumonia in the lungs. Meconium is also a widely-held signal that the baby is in some sort of distress. Most professionals with any experience with castor oil inductions agree that this is untrue. They have found that there is no increased occurrence of meconium in castor oil induced labors over spontaneous labors.

Personal experiences and information:

• When I was 37 weeks and had been in early labor for 2 weeks, I tried castor oil. Twice. It worked great for my friend but not so well for myself. All I did was throw up and have the runs....really, really badly. I think it all depends on your body, not how well others swear by it because your body can have a different reaction to chemicals and oils versus other people's bodies.

• You should always use Castor Oil only under the supervision of your midwife or doctor. It's also good to know that Castor Oil should be used only when your cervix is already well dilated (if not, use Maternity Acupressure method to help your cervix to dilate first!) Remember that Castor Oil is a strong laxative and you will be at the toilet a lot. Thus, drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration due to diarrhea.

• You can go into false labor, have horrible runs, and just get sick. You should make sure you are willing to deal with this if it doesn't promote labor.

Answer 2

it is dangerous, you need to let nature take its course. The baby needs a little more time for the lungs to develop and to gain weight. Also if you are not ready "term" 37 weeks to 40 it WILL NOT work. I did it with my first. You have never had a stomach ache like this will cause!!!! Yuck. It will cause you to expell all your food. Think 2 pounds at least soooooooo not worth it. On the up side labor wont feel so awful once you have had this kind of pain xP

Answer 3

It is supposed to move your bowels, therefore causing cramping and bringing about contractions. Don't do it. It is a miserable thing to put yourself through, and is hardly ever successful in an actual induction. Speaking from personal experience!

Answer 4

Nobody really has a specific answer to this question because its been seen by many as just an old wives tale. A lot of women swear by it and feel it has definitely worked for them. There are health risks by trying it but the most serious ive discovered is a uterine rupture which can be potentially life threatening to not only the baby but the mother to but this apparently only occurs to 0.1% of pregnant women. Castor oil has been known as a natural laxative so expect to need the loo if u try it! Its known to clear ur body n cause tightening around ur bowels and will supposedly work if this tightening reaches your uterus and causes contractions, again this isn't guaranteed as no-one can say for sure whether its the oil that has caused the labour. Oh and one more thing do not attempt if you are under the 40 week mark or your not yet overdue because that could increase the risk of health problems.

from a boy concerned about his overdue girlfriend.

Answer 5

Castor oil is very commonly used to induce the labor pains in post dated pregnancy. Castor oil stimulates the peristalsis and stimulates the uterus. It is a common experience to see the patient coming with labor pains very next day.

Answer 6

No, it just gives you cramps and diarrhoea

Answer 7

Castor oil is said to help induce labor. It's a laxative, so it helps to stimulate the digestive system and bowels, which can supposedly help labor.