Catsor oil

[kjs]

Anyone use castor oil? Anyone recommend it/ discourage it? Anyone else considering it?

[astar326]

i'm right there with you. i'm only considering it as a last effort (i'm 41w5d and may not be able to have the home birth i've been dreaming of if the baby doesn't cooperate). i've heard it helps to mix 2 oz castor oil in a thick milkshake due to the consistency or my midwife mentioned applying it topically to the belly with a warm towel over it (not sure how this would work, but i may give it all a try).

[pjs]

Planning on using it (again) in 3.5 weeks if this lo hasn't arrived yet. I've used it with great success with 2 prior pregnancies.

[kjs]

Originally Posted by pjs

Planning on using it (again) in 3.5 weeks if this lo hasn't arrived yet. I've used it with great success with 2 prior pregnancies.

HOW MUCH DID YOU USE? I have seen everything from 2TB x3 times spread out, to 4 ounces all at once!!!

[zjande]

I used castor oil with perfect success as well with 2 of my births. I took 2 ounces. One time in a small cup of OJ, the other time I mixed it in a small bowl of ice cream. Both times I was in the bathroom not long after, emptying my bowels of everything I'd ever eaten in my life , which wasn't the grandest time, but geez who cares! When it's followed up by the birth of your baby, the bathroom time is nearly forgotten.

And that's all it took for me. I delivered both times that same night. I was 40w3d with the 1st, and 39w2d with the 2nd. I know some folks have a terrible time with the stuff, but it really was just that easy for me.

Good luck with everything!!

[pjs]

I think I took an ounce (that's like a shot glass right?) mixed with a Mcdonald's shake. The taste wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (it tastes plant-y/wood-y). With my 2nd babe once dose was all I needed, with my third I took another ounce about 9-10 hours later. I think 4 oz is WAY too much!

[abc123xyz]

Oh I am seriously considering this!!! If the weekend comes along and no baby, I am going to try this! Now that I read the success stories, it makes me want to even more! And since I have a fear (not fear but apprehension) of pooping while birthing, this may be the all around solution!!!!

[pjs]

By the time I got to birth there wasn't anything left to poop out!

[Spiralshell]

The one downside I've heard is that the diarrhea can really dehydrate you, so make sure that you are very well hydrated before you get started with castor oil.
Also, if you are not otherwise "ready" you'll just end up with a lot of gut pain and dehydration, but no baby. So I'd want to know that my cervix was a bit dilated and effaced, and that the baby was in good position before I tried this.

[astar326]

my midwife told me to try 2oz and another 2oz later if needed (she said that would be an induction dose).

[zjande]

Originally Posted by jkseawell

Oh I am seriously considering this!!! If the weekend comes along and no baby, I am going to try this! Now that I read the success stories, it makes me want to even more! And since I have a fear (not fear but apprehension) of pooping while birthing, this may be the all around solution!!!!

Yeah, this is so true. Unfortunately. I got to enjoy completely empty bowels during both of my births I'd taken castor oil before. This last one, notsomuch. I hate that.

[lil_stinkyfeet]

I tried it twice and it didnt' work for me.

I helped a friend take it though and we did 2oz mixed with something (can't remember) and then a few hours later did it again and she went in to labor that night had her baby the next day. She was a little over 40weeks.

[Delaney21]

I took an ounce, mixed with a small glass of Coke and was in active labor w/in a few hours. I never had bathroom issues.

[fyrebloom]

It's never produced a baby for me, but it's sent me to insane prodromal labor land a couple of times. I took some (2 tbs with OJ) on tuesday and I got to contracting every 2 min with incredible intensity. I'm still pregnant though. I'll try again in a day or so. My BP is getting a bit high which is the only reason i'm starting to get involved in the process.

[astar326]

just took 2 oz with mcdonalds van. shake. didn't taste too bad. hopefully it will work. if not i may try another 2 oz later.

[jenak]

Originally Posted by pjs

I think I took an ounce (that's like a shot glass right?)

No experience with castor oil, only with shot glasses... a shot glass holds 1.5 ounces. A pony is 1 ounce.

[StephM76]

When I used it, I did 4 tbs in a glass of O.J. and repeated an hour later. Less than 7 hours after that I had my baby!

I wouldn't try castor oil unless I knew I was already dilating. The only reason I did it was because I was looking at birthing in the hospital if I didn't have my baby by the end of that day.

[francesmama]

Does it cause intense cramping? What about vomiting? I hope I don't need it but may go there if it means giving up on a homebirth due to a hospital induction.

[fyrebloom]

Originally Posted by francesmama

Does it cause intense cramping? What about vomiting? I hope I don't need it but may go there if it means giving up on a homebirth due to a hospital induction.

Yes, sometimes, better then hospital induction.

Took some tonight and I'm now contracting every 1-3 min. I'll let you know if it produces a baby this time

[southernmommie]

How much does this cost? I haven't even looked yet. And where can you get it? Can you get it at Walmart or Rite Aid?