castor oil...dare I try

[suddenlyamama]

hi there,
my doctor won't "let" me go past 41.5 weeks. I am 41 weeks this weekend.
I haven't had any internals yet (so I don't know progress), but have been losing mucous plug for a week.

tell me your success stories, or your horror stories. how much did you use? what worked?

I know everyone is different, but I have had a normal pg and I really want to avoid the cascade of interventions that are being pushed.

[mataji4]

I think if your baby is "low" or better, engaged, then castor oil really can't do any harm other than cause hemmoroids from all the pooping. I took 2 oz in a root beer float (but I'd use juice instead if I were you) mid-morning, pooped in the late afternoon/early evening a bunch, watched a movie and went to bed. Woke up at 6 am with a wierd feeling, started a fire, and water broke soon after with contractions following behind. He was born 7 hours later. I was 19 days past due and had tried everything else- acupuncture, chiropractor, cohoshes, epo, sex, nipple stim...you get the idea.

I've watched people take it and it not work, but hey, it's something to do! (coming from very bored me at the moment)

[HappyMommy2]

What worked for me (w/in 24 hours) was a pregnancy massage where she focused on reflexology points on my ankles, and another area in my calves.

Also, a pedicure, pay for extra foot massage.

Good luck mama!

[Yaliina]

I took a bunch of castor oil to motivate my second labor after it stalled. I really don't think it did much, though. Labor never really resumed & it didn't even induce a lot of bathroom time. I guess it doesn't really work the same for everyone. So- I guess I'd say "go for it!" It can't hurt anything, as pp said.

Happy labor!!

[amberdcm]

My midwife does a regimen of castor oil & black and blue cohoshes in a schedule as follows. She claims it is a very gentle way of starting labor, but as usual will only kick you into labor if your body is ready.

Start as early in the morning as possible with 1 tablespoon castor oil

Wait 1 hour, then alternate black & blue cohosh tinctures - 15 drops each -every 15 minutes for 2 hours.

After 2 hours of tinctures, switch to black & blue cohosh homeopathics (preferably 200c, but 30c. is okay) - 3 pills each - alternating every 15 minutes for 2 hours.

If labor doesn't start, begin regimen again, starting with 1 T. castor oil and repeating pattern. If labor still doesn't start, discontinue and begin again the next day as early in the morning as possible. Only 2 patterns per day.

Black cohosh is cimicifuga racemosa
Blue cohosh is caulophyllum thalictroides

[amberdcm]

My midwife does a regimen of castor oil & black and blue cohoshes in a schedule as follows. She claims it is a very gentle way of starting labor, but as usual will only kick you into labor if your body is ready.

Start as early in the morning as possible with 1 tablespoon castor oil

Wait 1 hour, then alternate black & blue cohosh tinctures - 15 drops each -every 15 minutes for 2 hours.

After 2 hours of tinctures, switch to black & blue cohosh homeopathics (preferably 200c, but 30c. is okay) - 3 pills each - alternating every 15 minutes for 2 hours.

If labor doesn't start, begin regimen again, starting with 1 T. castor oil and repeating pattern. If labor still doesn't start, discontinue and begin again the next day as early in the morning as possible. Only 2 patterns per day.

Black cohosh is cimicifuga racemosa
Blue cohosh is caulophyllum thalictroides

[carliec76]

you know I never actually consumed castor oil but I did rub it on my belly at 42 weeks with my 2nd pregnancy and 3 hours later I had the first labor contractions and 17 hours later my daughter was born. So if you just want to tread the water lightly it may be a good place to start.

[suddenlyamama]

awesome, thank you for your suggestions. I will definitely try the rubbing on belly one first!

[Terrilein]

I'm chiming in late to say you should give it a go. I had to take it twice before it did anything for me though, but it was really awesome once it finally kicked in!