Why caster oil?

[Voltige]

What is so special about caster oil for inducing labor? It's a laxative, right? Will other laxatives work as well or at all?

I'm reading these comments about how horrible it is for some people and I'm just curious. I've had to take laxatives (such as Ducolax) prior to surgery a couple of times, followed by a Fleet's enema, and it honestly wasn't THAT bad. Is Caster oil just that much more potent?

[Ianthe]

From Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_oil

Castor oil has been used to induce childbirth in pregnant women, though it is not always effective in application. Castor oil, when ingested, triggers cramping in the bowel (making it an effective laxative). Thus, it is intended that such cramping extend to the uterus. In an overdue pregnancy in which the mother's cervix is already effacing and partially dilated, this cramping can lead to labor contractions. The irregular, painful contractions of castor-oil-induced labor can be stressful on the mother and fetus.[citation needed] It also leaves the laboring woman quite dehydrated as a result of the vomiting and diarrhea which result when the recommended dose of castor oil for labor induction is taken—2 oz, or about 8 tbsp. This leaves her without access to the energy she could otherwise derive from food or drink throughout her labor process. Using castor oil for induction is not recommended without consulting a medical practitioner and is not recommended in a complex pregnancy.[citation needed]

[Ianthe]

I took it with DS1 and it wasn't that bad... I would do it again if I had to.

I was just posting to another mama about it in the "Who's still pregnant" thread.

[koalove]

i used it and it didnt give me diarreah or vomiting, and i took a bunch of it!

[DevaMajka]

I was wondering the same thing (re: other laxatives being effective).

[Voltige]

Interesting.

I still wonder why other laxatives won't work though. Don't they also stimulate the bowels?

At any rate, it's not something I intend to try unless I am threatened by a medical induction. Good to know it doesn't always cause vomiting and diarrhea though!

[Maggirayne]

I read in the post about Ten Month Mamas (will look for the original post):
Here's the post on MDC.

About castor oil inductions and impatient midwives "Inducing with castor oil isn't safe. Once swallowed the castor oil is hydrolized by intestinal lipases to recinoleic acid which stimulates intestinal secretion, decreases glucose absorption and increases intestinal motility. Castor oil is used in lipsticks, too. Many women who can tolerate the oil quite well on their lips get a reaction on their mouths if the oil converts to recinoleic acid. My question to a midwife who says castor oil is not absorbed is 'Would you please provide me with references for that statement'.
<snip>
Six months from now you'll be wondering what the rush was. I worry about women taking castor oil because you also give your baby castor oil when you take it through the gut. This means the baby will get diarhea and pass mec, too. then you're into all the transports for mec. "The other thing about self-inducing is that you end up with erratic labours that stop and start and are difficult to complete. <snip> "Bottom line: be patient with your little babes and yourself." -Gloria Lemay