Castor Oil Induction
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Category: Pregnant
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30311
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Topic: Castor Oil Induction
Posted By: aklgirl
Subject: Castor Oil Induction
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 2:07pm
Hi ladies, I'm 4 days overdue today - so not to bad (although I wish this baby would come). I have another MW apt on Monday and scan to check all ok, then will be refered to hospital for induction date. My MW said she would do a S&S at 41 weeks so next Monday. I have had 3 accupunture apts as well - baby engaged, but no waters breaking, no show and no cramps to talk of. MW said that the day before induction if I am still waiting she would suggest taking 1tablespoon of castor oil in Orange Juice. She did mention it can cause diahoreha. From what I have read on the net it seems lots of bad and a few good things. I just wonder if it is so bad why would the midwife tell me to do it prior to an induction?? Obviously she thinks it is better than an induction??? Anyone with any experience??
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Replies:
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 2:13pm
Ooh everything I have read about that is bad and that it is not recommended. I would def ask midwife for more information on why she would suggest that as an option. Is she suggesting to do that so you don't have to be induced - I think if it was me, I would rather take chances with induction than with castor oil.
God luck, hope baby comes soon! You should join us in the Dec babies thread
ETA: Sorry that was not very helpful, just suggest you ask midwife why she recommends!
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Oct 11
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 2:41pm
My MW was really anti castor oil. Not something I would do myself and would take the induction instead
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Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 2:45pm
i wouldnt do it. i did accupuncture from 37 weeks, rasberry leaf tea, 5w, long walk etc... and still ended up being induced twice but since i was in such good shape when i was induced i had a really easy birth and super fast recovery. i think you'd be fine with an induction and i reckon it would probably be a safer option. you'l have a much harder time if you get the runs, get dehydrated and then have to go through labour. thats just an opinion though and i have no problem with being ignored :) lol. good luck though.
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 3:18pm
Yeah its not something I would do .. I actually got a tummy bug in late pg which made my uterus contract (thats what castor oil does it makes your bowel "contract" which rubs against the uterus wall and makes it contract) and it didnt actually bring labour on anyway .. if baby isnt ready to come, it wont.
------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months)
I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 3:30pm
Ah, I'd avoid the castor oil and perhaps start taking what your MW says with a grain of salt. Everything I have read about Castor Oil is a no go and I have even heard of some doctors/medical staff refusing to take responsibility for the care of a mother who has used castor oil because of the things it can do.
Hate to be the cleche one (especially since I am waiting soooo impatiently for my own baby) but baby will come when it's good and ready and not before. No point risking your health and babies health for the sake of a few days impatience. 
------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 3:47pm
Ah... I'm one that used it and would definetly use it again.
I was 41+1 days and two days earlier my midwife had performed a S&S, where she was able to stretch my cervix to 3cm. She is also another who didn't want me to take castor oil but I was determined NOT to go in for an induction.
Basically took a tablespoon at around 3pm.. diarhoea started about 7.30pm, contractions 20mins later.. waters broke by 8pm, baby born at 11.15pm.
I had no problems whatsoever, everything went well and I'm very glad I took it. Probably best to do what I didn't though - talk it through with your LMC
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 3:51pm
AmStaff wrote:
I have even heard of some doctors/medical staff refusing to take responsibility for the care of a mother who has used castor oil because of the things it can do. |
I do hope this wasn't in New Zealand - I would be seriously concerned if I heard of this happening. I don't think any medical professional can refuse treatment on those grounds
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 4:06pm
dont do castor oil.... !!! just because it worked out for mamma2N doesnt mean it will again for anybody else.
------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 4:07pm
my MW with DD1 strongly told me not to do it - she did it with her first child and it made her very ill. Even 20 years on she still could not even smell orange juice without gagging .
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Posted By: X
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 4:23pm
I think the question you need to ask yourself is whether you want the sh*ts while you are in labour. Myself personally I could do without that. Labour is a messy enough business as it is.
I was 8 days overdue & not once did I consider the castor oil. I would rather be induced personally (not that I was-he came by himself). I walked up & down Mt Wellington three times & had a stretch & sweep & that was enough to set me off.
Don't go there IMHO.
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http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: BerryBliss
Date Posted: 03 December 2009 at 7:47pm
I agree with most of the others and would say NO don't take it, very very bad IMO, i would much rather be induced with drugs (and have been with one of my babies) My LMC had nothing good to say about castor oil, stear clear chick.
------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
DD 1999 DS 2003 DS 2006 DD 2009
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Posted By: aklgirl
Date Posted: 04 December 2009 at 11:51am
Thanks for all the thoughts. I am with Birthcare and Parnell and fully trust what they say. I would NEVER take it without being advised by my LMC etc and I have goggled etc and read not so good things, so just wondered what you ladies had heard/experiences etc. It took me two years to get preg so I would not risk anything now. Impatient as I am.....5 days overdue now!! argh!
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Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 04 December 2009 at 2:46pm
Just some food for thought... nobody can *make* you have an induction, of any kind And the 'E' in EDD is for 'estimated' due date... so, I basically agree with all those who have said your gorgeous bub will come when they are truly ready.
------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels.
Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz
Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !!
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Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 3:08pm
Um I'm with MamaN- I was 2 weeks late and didn't want to be induced so tried castor oil as a last resort the day before the induction. Unfortunately for me, it didn't bring on labour but I also didn't suffer diarhoea and went on to be induced.
I read everything I could find on the pros and cons and made my decision based on that. Also my LMC had used it with one of her children and I trusted her. If you have reservations then don't do it as you may regret it later.
Good luck
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 4:17pm
Definitely dont do castor oil, its nasty stuff, my mum and my midwife both said its a huge no no.
I went 12 days over due with my son, and was only going to be induced when I got to 42 weeks.
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Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 4:48pm
I wouldn't do castor oil, but as one alternative have you thought about using evening primrose oil capsules? My MW recommended them to me when I was also about a week overdue. You can prick a couple of holes in them with a needle, then gently insert them up your *ahem* VJJ Maybe just use 1 or 2 every 2nd or 3rd day. I put them in at night, and I also recommend using a pad as it gets a bit messy! I don't know if that helped with my labour starting or not, but it didn't hurt. I think the theory is that the EPO is meant to help 'ripen' the cervix, and might help labour start....but unfortunately when it comes down to it, bubs is going to come when they are ready! I was booked in to start the induction procedure, but went into spontaneous labour at 8/9 days over. Walking helped alot too. Hope you don't have too much longer to wait.
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Posted By: aklgirl
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 6:02pm
Looks like I am just going to have to wait it out and wait and see if induction or baby comes on its own first!
I have tried the EPO a few times but not yet had any labour signs.
Another MW today told me about Castor Oil, she said it does bring on the runs and the contraction of the uterus dealing with the runs can start labour. Apart from getting the runs and it tasting bad she said it was ok. I'm still not trying it yet though! Induction next week, so will wait this week out.
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 8:17pm
Thing that I don't get about recommending castor oil is that if it gives you the runs, then is it not possible that you might get dehydrated and that can't be good, especially if it ends up not working that well and you have a long labour.
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Oct 11
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