Mild laxative have the same effect as castor oil?

[HulaJenn]

x-posted from the castor oil thread and thought I would post it on its own.

Do you think any other laxative type thing would work the same way as castor oil? I have been severely constipated the last couple days and debated taking Senakot (which is a mild stimulant with loosener in it that I took at the beginning of pg and works great), but should I be on the ready for it to possibly send me into labour?

[Tenk]

I would think that anything with a stimulant in it could do that to you. I use Miralax, it's 100% safe in pregnancy, and works great. Also, it does NOT have stims in it. I've never had cramps from it. If you're feeling really bad you could do 2 adult doses a day for 2-3 days and will work like a charm. Good luck Jen!!

[holothuroidea]

I think that a mild laxative will not do the same thing as castor oil. Castor oil really irritates the gut and triggers the release of prostaglandins.

However, I would stay away from anything that causes abdominal cramps. If your gut is irritated your uterus tends to be sympathetic. Could you try milk of magnesia or a stool softener first? Of course, if senakot doesn't give you cramps then I wouldn't worry.

[finnegansmom]

What about just upping your bran intake? I've been eating lots of very hearty bran cereal, just to kind of keep things moving and trust me, it works. I've had constipation issues and have never had to take anything, aside from a few bowls of bran cereal. If it did cause labor, I'd be in it right now... LOL.... I'm on my second box in a few days...

[HulaJenn]

LOL Michelle.
Unfortunatley I have always been prone to constipation and with the amount of fiber I eat, any normal person would be in the bathroom for days! So just extra fiber won't do the trick. Senakot is the only stuff I've found doesn't cause extreme results like one second you are constipated and the next you are running to the bathroom with bad cramps. It is fairly mild but does the trick. I will start small and see what happens. It's not like if something did happen that it would be too early or anything. :-)

[spirit4ever]

http://www.mother-care.ca/induction_meth.htm

According to this Metamucil works similar to Castor oil... hmmm... interesting!

[pazerific]

i have indeed wondered about the very same thing. i wouldn't be surprised if too much of a laxative of any sort could trigger an already impending labor (like CO does). but then i would think that also like CO, if you're not ready, you'll just have to poo (a lot). i'm really REALLY lactose intolerant, and i experience the same effects from milk as ppl describe with CO (gut-wrenching pain and total intestinal cleansing). i've joked with DH about trying to induce by drinking a glass of milk.

[HulaJenn]

LOL pazerific...if only it were that easy eh?
Well I think just all the talk of laxatives was enough to get things moving again! LOL (Or maybe it was the awesomely tasting pint of organic strawberries I ate? LOL)
Thanks for the info ladies!

[Kidzaplenty]

I have used something before (it was liquid and fizzy and tasted a bit like sprite, so quite drinkable without gagging) that worked to loosen things without causing any cx or even bowel cramps. I got it from right beside the CO at the store, but don't remember what it was.

So, I don't think a mild one would cause labor. At least it did not do it for me.