why castor oil?

[joannalovesyou]

from what i've read, the reason why castor oil is (sometimes) suggested as a natural induction method is because it triggers bowel movements, which sometimes triggers the fetus to release oxytocin, which starts contractions.

but there are other natural diuretics, like senna leaf tea, decaf coffee, prunes and raisins, etc. so why don't people mention those, and only mention castor oil? does anyone know?

[smokeylo]

Not in your DDC, but saw your Q... basically, those other things might give you some loose stool, but if you're looking to irritate your uterus enough to start labor, you need something that will clean you out. Castor oil will do that (often unpleasantly).

[chrysalis]

well........ TMI maybe but i've been havin' some great big logs for poops and nothing happenin' here. i don't know if i buy into the castor oil myth...

[Isaac'sMa]

I think it's b/c it relaxes *all* smooth muscles, which would include the large intestine and rectum ( and thus cause a BM) Of course, emptying the bowels can help with labor since it means there's more room for the baby though as you pointed out many other things will "clean you out" too. But the cervix is also smooth muscle and if you can relax (dilate) the cervix you can often get labor going...

[GooeyRN]

A lot of the local pregnant girls found out about castor oil. It seems to be working quite well for them. We had 3 in this week at the hospital that I work at that went into labor from it.

[joannalovesyou]

hmm. thanks for the food for thought, guys.

[pixiedust]

I used castor oil to jump start my labor.. I wouldn't recommend it in case you were pretty desperate.. but I was desperate enough to not mind the side effects LOL.. worked great for me

[Undercover Hippie]

My MW and I were just talking about this and I was shocked. Castor oil works because it is toxic, basically. Or should I say the castor bean is... if you concentrate it down, it makes ricin which is one of the most potent natural poisons on the planet. So the oil is not toxic like that, but it still does have a bit of that property, and it gives you diarrhea because your body wants it out!!

The intestinal cramping releases prostaglandins, which work on your uterus too and cause it to cramp and contract. The dehydration from the diarrhea may also be part of the reason the body goes into labor.

[chrysalis]

hmmmmmm...i think i shall pass for now........................