This may be a duh but......

[Marlet]

how come it is recommended NOT to take laxatives during pregnancy but you can take castor oil to start labor? It's a laxative! Why is it different than any other one out there? Do all laxatives do it or is it just castor oil? Is there something ultr special about it that I am missing or is it just cause castor oil is a natural product as opposed to some man made crap in a pretty box? :LOL

[mightymoo]

Well, really the medical profession doesn't really recommend taking castor oil, so...

I also don't know why they recommend you don't take laxatives during pregnancy - it may be due to more long term effects that wouldn't be as big a concern at the end of pregnancy, like can't you become dependant on them? Maybe the concern is the dependency then causing dehydration or for nutrients not to be absorbed - better to say don't take them and have women ask their doctor for specific cases than to have the latter perhaps?

Also, my midwife had me try Swiss Kriss, an herbal laxative before trying the castor oil. Unfortunately it didn't even have a laxative effect on me, nevermind the body clearly bowel contractions which in theory is why castor oil starts labor.

[annakiss]

I think that castor oil is used because of it's concentrated effect. It's powerful stuff, whereas a laxative in pill form just doesn't pack the same punch. But yes, it's not recommended either.

[Aeriane]

Hi, my own response to this is that the babe needs all the nutrients it can get and that's why food processes more slowely, (also because of crowded body parts ). I would think laxatives would put things through too quickly and then not get the full benefit of foods. This is just my feeling. I try to do an apple a day, there's truth to the old adage "an apple a day keeps the dr away".

I think castor oil is ok in the end because, well, it's the end. I'd never do it..YUCK!! but then.. that's me. I can't stand anything remotely related to fish. I almost hurl thinking about it. I'd stick to massive sex sessions :P hahahaa.

have fun..... Kitty