I am 40 weeks pregnant I will be 41 on Sunday. If I don't have my baby by Sunday I will get induced on Monday. I don't want to get induced I want to go into labor myself. My grandmother told me to drink Castro Oil to start labor. I am 4cm dialated. My question is, is Catro Oil safe to take? Does it really start labor or is that just a sayen?

I am 40 weeks pregnant I will be 41 on Sunday. If I don't have my baby by Sunday I will get induced on Monday. I don't want to get induced I want to go into labor myself. My grandmother told me to drink Castro Oil to start labor. I am 4cm dialated. My question is, is Catro Oil safe to take? Does it really start labor or is that just a sayen?

Listen to your Doctor's advice, not old wives tales. Please stop posting the same question.

This quote is from website Suite.l0l.com which is a womens' health and wellness website regarding using castor oil for contractions. It isn't recommended, although probably has been used in the last l00 years with dire results. One being loose bowel movements well after you deliver the baby which would be nothing I would want. Castor Oil has been used for constipation for years, and even then, dehydration is a negative side effect:

While castor oil can work very well to stimulate contractions, it can mean cramping, diarrhea and therefore having to stay near a bathroom for many hours. You can easily become dehydrated so it is important to increase your fluids if you plan to do a castor oil induction.

Another disadvantage is that you can have all the negative side affects (diarrhea and cramping)and still not go into labor. Or you go into labor quickly but continue to have loose bm's even hours after you give birth.

You are 4l years old and about to deliver a wonderful baby; I wouldn't want to jeopardize this delivery for anything in the world. Talk to your doctor before you make any decisions. You should do what's best and healthier for you and the baby and have a safe delivery.

Tick


Read more at Suite101: Castor Oil to Induce Labor: How using castor oil can help you induce your labor. http://www.suite101.com/content/castor-oil-to-induce-labor-a11499#ixzz10J1gwZ81

Please stop asking the same question.

This is where the idea comes from.

Castor Oil to Induce labor (http://www.justmommies.com/articles/castor-oil-to-induce-labor.shtml)

I am 40 weeks pregnant I will be 41 on Sunday. If I dont have my baby by Sunday I will get induced on Monday. I dont want to get induced I want to go into labor myself. My grandmother told me to drink Castro Oil to start labor. I am 4cm dialated. My question is, is Catro Oil safe to take? Does it really start labor or is that just a sayen?

Is there a particular reason your doctor wants to induce on Monday? Have you had any testing done, such as a non-stress test, to see how baby is doing? Or it is merely being a week passed your due date?

The castor oil does work for some women, but as was mentioned it can be nothing more than cramping and diarrhea for many women. A few other things you could try that don't have the possibility of such uncomfortable side effects:

*nipple stimulation... releases oxytocin. This is what help moves breastmilk but it also is what causes contractions in labour. Start with one side, and go to both if necessary. Back off if contractions come on strong or last longer than one minute.
*walking works for some women
*frequent intercourse... perhaps not the first thing on your mind right now, but orgasms can cause some contractions. Also, prostaglandins are released in your blood stream and they are found in semen.
*acupressure points can work quite well... spleen 6 is one of the best, particularly for helping move a labour along, but it may also help with getting things going. About 4 fingerwidths above the inner ankle on the shinbone. Press in with your thumb (works better if someone else does this for you however) Press at an angle from behind the leg, in and towards the front of the leg. Apply pressure 3 times for 10-15 seconds at a time, repeat every few minutes.
*stripping membranes... not as common in the US as elsewhere, works for some women, labour may start within the next day or two... can be repeated if needed. This can cause a release of prostaglandins as well.

Talk to your doctor about some of the options and if there is not a medical reason to induce, if you might be able to have a non-stress test done and have a bit more time.

p.s. just wanted to add, as I know plenty of pregnant women will read this even if they don't post... and I can't tell you how many times I have been asked by someone at 37 weeks how they can start their labour! Any measure used to induce labour should only be done after a due date has passed and trying to avoid a medical induction, unless it is medically warranted. No measure, medical or otherwise, will work well if the body is not ready for labour to start and can result in potential risk to baby. Discuss the pros and cons of any intervention with your care provider. Unless there is a true medical reason for baby to be born, it is almost always best to let labour begin on its own.

I was hoping you would chime in with your, always excellent, professional opinion.

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