Castor oil?

[purplemamaaz]

I'm 38 weeks, I'm contracting 15+ times a day but nothing regular, haven't lost my mucus plug or anything but I've been having frequent loose stools and feeling pretty sick to my stomach. Tons of pressure in my pelvis and my cervix hurts sometimes from pressure. At my last appointment I was dilated to 1 cm but her head is down low. Like many of you I'm anxious to get this over with!

A friend of mine took 1 tablespoon of castor oil when she was 38 weeks and went into labor and delivered. I'm considering it but I don't know much about castor oil and bringing on labor. Has anyone done this before, anyone considering it? Pros? Cons? I don't want to rush my body but if I could give it a little help........................

[emiLy]

I wouldn't do it. My friend did it and totally regrets it. You're still not even due for 2 weeks. I know things are uncomfortable, but your body is doing what it needs to do.

There's a thread with more info on the first page of the UC forum right now.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=657780

[nataliachick7]

the baby will come when its ready.

there is a good chance that castor oil will give you the $hits, and thats about it. but hey, if you do go into labor, you will be having the runs everywhere...not sure if you mind that....

[momto l&a]

I have used Castor oil when I was 3 weeks 'late".

It was a wonderful experience and I would do it again.
two trips to the toilet and I was cleaned out

Was a very fast and easy birth.

Not sure I would do it at 38 weeks though.

I have many contractions a day, sharp jabs in the cervix area and also cant wait for this to be over with.

The end of pregnancy for me is pretty uncomfortable.

[FuzzyOne]

i personally wouldn't use castor oil unless necessary. i will try castor oil when i approach 42 weeks and other means of starting labor have not worked - i can't be induced and they will start talking about surgery at that point. that is when, for me, it will be worth trying.

i had a friend in high school who induced herself using castor oil and it was an extremely fast and intense labor - i was in the room with her. she was crying for pain relief, but she went too fast to receive it. but, that was a great lesson about birth control for me!

[PapayaMom]

also because it cleans you out it can also clean the baby out and increas ethe likelyhood of meconium in your wawter, baaaad stuff when that happens. I would consider it if I was late and they were threatening induction but hang in there it sounds like you may go soon anyways.

[wisconsingirl]

Hi! I used a small dose of castor oil with OJ when I was 38 weeks. It worked both times. Some people recommend taking the whole small bottle 3 oz but that will definitely give you some bowel issues. I take 2 tsps with OJ and that starts the contractions but doesn't make you have to go to the bathroom!

Good luck!

Pam

[MoonStarFalling]

My friend did it and was very very ill! She took more than the recommend dose though, so just be sure not to do that.

Personally I wouldn't do it. I don't think it works much better than a placebo would. I would use other methods: sex, exercise, acupressure.

[darsmama]

I absolutely wouldnt do it at 38 weeks pregnant. Late pregnancy is uncomfortable, granted...but, I would just wait it out. You are almost there!!!

[Eaglevoice]

There is no way that I would do anything to induce the baby before the due date. Obviously the babe is not ready to come out yet. I'd just wait it out. Then if you go more than a week past your due date you can think about natural induction options. But I don't think I'd use castor oil even then. I got acupuncture at 15 days past my edd last time and that did the trick for me.