Contemplating castor oil

[apelilae]

I am 41 w and 5 d. I've been contemplating caster oil, but I haven't done it yet. I'd rather labor just start on its own as a natural labor is far better than induced labor of any variety. I've taken it before as a remedy with few side effects; my palate and body seem to tolerate it well.

I'm giving acupuncture one more go today before I really consider it. I started feeling very labor-ish Thursday night, all day yesterday, and most of this morning with some very intense contractions, but no pattern that I'm acknowledging yet.

I may take it tomorrow as my next midwife appointment is Monday and I'll have to do another NST (blah!).

Who else is feeling me?

__________________________________________________ _______
I've done every other natural technique for induction known to man. I just cannot bring myself to do the oil, so I'm not going to. I'm just going to wait this one out. Thanks for all your thoughts.

[redebeth]

I'll be using it next friday if nothing else works by then. I'll be 41/ 6 by then, so it's something my midwife would be okay with. I really don't want to, though. It's an undesirable way for me to start labor. I used it with my 2nd and feeling like I have food poisoning is not very relaxing. I found it confusing, honestly. Ehh.

[psychocandy]

If I get close to 42 weeks and I am in danger of losing my homebirth to a hospital induction, then I'll try it.

[ryansma]

I went to 41+4 with ds and took castor oil and while there are debates about meconium aspiration b/c of castor oil v. just being post dates I won't do it again. Ds aspirated meconium and was in the NICU for three days. Just not worth it to me.

[~Megan~]

I'd do nipple stimulation first. Its much gentler and very effective for me.

[diamond lil]

I bought some but I've held off taking it because I'm afraid the baby will poop inside me.

I'm doing lots of walking, spicy foods, sex, pineapple, you name it.

[Shiloh]

I've taken it before as a remedy with few side effects; my palate and body seem to tolerate it well.

yeah my first attempt NOTHING.
Second .......wtf just ripped through my body..
But I can't honestly say it was the castor oil or not but I did get more massive trots the second time...but it might just be prelabour exaggerates the effects of the oil...I dunno.

It was also harsh ...I had no tearing or vaginal, labial tearing, road rash etc..
BUT MY ARSE STILL BURNED

[heatherRN]

Originally Posted by ~Megan~

I'd do nipple stimulation first. Its much gentler and very effective for me.

Lucky you!
I tried manual nipple stim and my double-electric breast pump last time with no success (ended up with pitocin since I was ruptured for 36 hours with GBS).

I am currently nursing my 2 year-old like crazy and I only get BH ctx while he is nursing and then they quickly go away.

I am thinking acupuncture this week. My dh is now on his 3 week vacation and it would be awful if I didn't have this baby until he had to go back to work

[LukesMum]

i used castor oil with both my babes and it didnt work. I used blue and black cohosh with my dd at 42 w 1 d. I started very gently and my midwife was there. I ws in labor within 4 hours. During labor i used the homeopathic tablets that are the blue/black cohosh version ( centicefuge or something like that?) just to keep labor going. 11 hours labor 10 lb 8 oz baby...no tearing or problems!

[jennykilbo]

I did it three different times the week before I finally went into labor (at 41 w 5 days - I too was terrified of having to birth in the hospital). Anyway - it wasn't so bad on me, but it didn't work. No meconium problems though even after all that. I don't necessarily regret doing it but I wish I hadn't worked myself into such a worrysome state before going into labor - due to the co NOT working and me freaking out

[Megan_Cherry]

Today I am 41w 1d. Right now I am chugging a glass of :

2 oz castor oil
1 tsp baking soda
6 oz orange juice

Not too bad taste wise. I am also following it with a gigantic German pancake that contains 3 eggs. The egg proteins are supposed to help ease the side effects in the tummy/ intestines.

With my first dd I just took it in a shot glass and ate a bunch of veggies. Those veggies ended up taking an hour to purge out the other end. Gross! But only and hour after that I was if full active labor. 4 hrs later dd was born at home in a birth tub. FAST!

[diamond lil]

OK, I did it. I took a tablespoon and about 2 hours later I was on the toilet pooping. It wasn't too bad. Now that I've pooped, I feel like I'm having contractions.

I'm a first timer, so tell me what you think! The pains are down low and feel like bad menstral cramps. Is that what I want? I can still walk, talk, eat, etc, through them, but it is hard to interpret.

Help a sister out! If they keep up, should I srat timing them?

Thanks!

[jennykilbo]

Originally Posted by diamond lil

I'm a first timer, so tell me what you think! The pains are down low and feel like bad menstral cramps. Is that what I want? I can still walk, talk, eat, etc, through them, but it is hard to interpret.

That sounds like how mine started!!! :

[Megan_Cherry]

Originally Posted by Megan_Cherry

But only and hour after that I was if full active labor. 4 hrs later dd was born at home in a birth tub. FAST!

Ok so I thought my dd was fast, wait till you hear what happened to me yesterday.

After taking the CO 4hrs later I was starting to have diarrhea accompanied with ctx. I called my dh home from work and by the time he arrived the ctx were gone. Darn, right? Wrong! One hr later the ctx were back with a vengance. We had to drive 35 min to the birth center and half way through driving I felt the need to push. Have you ever had to push and been told not to? OMG!! I was panting like a puppy dog with the midwife on the cell for 15- 20 min. That was harder than any labor pains. Once we got to the birth center the tub was warm and ready and baby Alexia was born in the water only 10 min later. Total labor time 1hr 40 min. Now that was FAST!!!!