What are your thoughts on castor oil?

Question

I think we all know how “taboo” castor oil is. I am really just curious to know what other moms think about castor oil to induce. 
What encouraged or discouraged you to/from taking castor oil? 
How did you learn that castor oil was a way to induce? 
What research/sources did you use to persuade you one way or another? 
I am just curious to hear what others think. Please no mom shaming!

Answer

So with my last I made my dr explain the science behind why it works and why it’s dangerous and it made total sense to me. Drinking castor oil instigates the hormone that gives you diarrhea. That is the same hormone that contracts your muscles in your belly for contractions. So yes, if you drink enough you have a good likelihood of going into labor from your body cramping. But if you do go into labor you will also be having horrible diarrhea. Their isn’t one without the other in castor oil cases, it may only last for a couple of hours but still. It’s the same science as to why spicy food puts you in labor but it’s way less likely to cause such sickness. For me I really didn’t want to be shitting my pants uncontrollably while at the hospital having horrible contractions. So it was already canceled as an option. It can also be dangerous, and fatal, for your baby because it can create the same instigation of the pooping hormone in the womb and your baby has a higher likelihood of passing their first bowel movement still inside of you and that can be very deadly to baby. If they don’t die they can aspirate the bowel movement into their lungs and would need to stay in nicu. They used to use castor oil to induce until studies showcased it was dangerous to the child. Many women have induced with castor oil over many years, you have a good chance of nothing bad happening but you also raise your chances of harming baby, or going home without a baby, and having a horrible labor. I know nipple stimulation can really work so I’d look into that.

Answer

Not worth killing my baby over. It can cause the baby to have a BM in utero and aspirate meconium.

Answer

Here for the comments as well

Answer

It should only be done at full term.
There’s really not a lot of conclusive evidence.
There’s a ton of fear mongering and shaming over word of mouth about castor oil. 
You shouldn’t try to make baby come unless you’re full term, regardless of the method.

Answer

My mom took castor oil with both me and my sister. Both times she had us 8 hours later. I took it with my first son and my water broke 8 hours later. I tried with this baby and she just isnt ready yet. Had contractions for 6 hours then they died off.

Answer

I had my first when I was just a teenager, 13 years ago. I did not know anything about the negative impacts of castor oil at that time. When I was term I took a few teaspoons, mixed with OJ and waited. About 2 hours later yes began having contractions, and emptied my bowels which was a relief after being chronically constipated. Then everything stopped, I ate dinner then right after dinner my water broke. My son was born about 10 hours later with zero complications. I’m not saying I would do it again, just because I am more informed now, but my experience was not negative at all and I had no negative complications. This is just my own experience though.

Answer

L&D nurse told me that it’ll just cause diarrhea... she recommended primrose oil, 3 times a day from 38-40 weeks.

Answer

One of the L&D nurses told us that it causes contractions from diarrhea and being dehydrated which in turn does not progress towards actual labor. She basically said its "false" labor with all the pain and nasty stomach side effects without the benefits of real labor? 🤷‍♀️
So once she said that I was turned off by it from the start. But I have read both the good and bad so I guess it just depends on the person/situation. Personally I wouldn't risk it. Just my opinion tho! 😊

Answer

I'm 38 weeks 3 days and I've tried it multiple times since 37 weeks.. it did clear me out which was honestly helpful and needed 😂 and gave me some contractions which helped to dilate me and soften my cervix but didn't put me into labor.. at this point I'm being induced in less than 4 days so I'm not trying again, but I don't have any regrets 😀 it works for some, and not for others!

Answer

Ok, so I’ve never tried it myself and you probably won’t find my answer helpful. But if I can say so, I’ve heard good and bad. I think it all depends on the person. I wouldn’t fool around with it just to be on the safe side.

What are your thoughts on castor oil?

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