hi there,
my doctor won't "let" me go past 41.5 weeks. I am 41 weeks this weekend.
I haven't had any internals yet (so I don't know progress), but have been losing mucous plug for a week.
tell me your success stories, or your horror stories. how much did you use? what worked?
I know everyone is different, but I have had a normal pg and I really want to avoid the cascade of interventions that are being pushed.
I think if your baby is "low" or better, engaged, then castor oil really can't do any harm other than cause hemmoroids from all the pooping. I took 2 oz in a root beer float (but I'd use juice instead if I were you) mid-morning, pooped in the late afternoon/early evening a bunch, watched a movie and went to bed. Woke up at 6 am with a wierd feeling, started a fire, and water broke soon after with contractions following behind. He was born 7 hours later. I was 19 days past due and had tried everything else- acupuncture, chiropractor, cohoshes, epo, sex, nipple stim...you get the idea.
I've watched people take it and it not work, but hey, it's something to do! (coming from very bored me at the moment)
I took a bunch of castor oil to motivate my second labor after it stalled. I really don't think it did much, though. Labor never really resumed & it didn't even induce a lot of bathroom time. I guess it doesn't really work the same for everyone. So- I guess I'd say "go for it!" It can't hurt anything, as pp said.
My midwife does a regimen of castor oil & black and blue cohoshes in a schedule as follows. She claims it is a very gentle way of starting labor, but as usual will only kick you into labor if your body is ready.
Start as early in the morning as possible with 1 tablespoon castor oil
Wait 1 hour, then alternate black & blue cohosh tinctures - 15 drops each -every 15 minutes for 2 hours.
After 2 hours of tinctures, switch to black & blue cohosh homeopathics (preferably 200c, but 30c. is okay) - 3 pills each - alternating every 15 minutes for 2 hours.
If labor doesn't start, begin regimen again, starting with 1 T. castor oil and repeating pattern. If labor still doesn't start, discontinue and begin again the next day as early in the morning as possible. Only 2 patterns per day.
Black cohosh is cimicifuga racemosa
Blue cohosh is caulophyllum thalictroides
My midwife does a regimen of castor oil & black and blue cohoshes in a schedule as follows. She claims it is a very gentle way of starting labor, but as usual will only kick you into labor if your body is ready.
Start as early in the morning as possible with 1 tablespoon castor oil
Wait 1 hour, then alternate black & blue cohosh tinctures - 15 drops each -every 15 minutes for 2 hours.
After 2 hours of tinctures, switch to black & blue cohosh homeopathics (preferably 200c, but 30c. is okay) - 3 pills each - alternating every 15 minutes for 2 hours.
If labor doesn't start, begin regimen again, starting with 1 T. castor oil and repeating pattern. If labor still doesn't start, discontinue and begin again the next day as early in the morning as possible. Only 2 patterns per day.
Black cohosh is cimicifuga racemosa
Blue cohosh is caulophyllum thalictroides
you know I never actually consumed castor oil but I did rub it on my belly at 42 weeks with my 2nd pregnancy and 3 hours later I had the first labor contractions and 17 hours later my daughter was born. So if you just want to tread the water lightly it may be a good place to start.
I'm chiming in late to say you should give it a go. I had to take it twice before it did anything for me though, but it was really awesome once it finally kicked in!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mothering Forum
16.5M posts
285.1K members
Since 1996
A forum community dedicated to all mothers and inclusive family living enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about nurturing, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!