Castor Oil - Don't Use It!!

[RNmommy]

Hey ladies!!!!
I don't know if anyone will read this but I just wanted to share my opinion and my advice.
I know that it's an old wive's tale that you can use castor oil to jump start a labor. And actually, I just saw a woman do that on A Baby Story, and thats what made me think of posting this.

I had heard that too when I was pregnant with my son. and I was desperate to get my labor going. I took the castor oil and all it did was give me Braxton Hicks contractions (false labor).
After I had already taken it though I found out that its definitely not good to do so. And I was paranoid until I delivered. You have to remember, that whatever you ingest, so does the baby. I found out that taking castor oil increases the chances of the baby having its first bowel movement in utero (meconium) and that is very dangerous for the baby.

I was only 23 when I had my son, at 30 yrs old now and a nursing career later, I would NEVER do that again. I literally cried after I found that out thinking I could've harmed my baby just because I was impatient.

I hope this helps anyone who was considering that!!!!!

Wishing everyone here a healthy & safe delievery!!!!

I'm praying for my BFP and a Christmas baby!!!

 

[My_First]

And to add as Caster oil gives you the runs, it can make you very sick and dehydrated...Its definately a no no.

 

[LoraLoo]

Thanks for this, always telling people the same, but some people choose to ignore it still xxxx

 

[RNmommy]

And to add as Caster oil gives you the runs, it can make you very sick and dehydrated...Its definately a no no.

Oh yes, I forgot to add that!!!! It does give you the poopies...BAD!!!
Thank you so much for adding that!!!!
I hope anyone considering it takes our advice!!!!

 

[Jox]

some people just believe the worst 'wont happen to them'... but it does happen and surely you'd rather have a few more days/weeks of pregnancy then to put your childs life at risk??

x

 

[haze]

Thanks for this, always telling people the same, but some people choose to ignore it still xxxx

me too, A girl on my fb wanted to try it so I told her about all the dehydration, the runs and sick and I got shouted down by everyone saying 'It wont do no harm' so left it, she ended up taking it and having the runs for a few days and it didn't start labour.....I did tell her...

 

[babybel]

My cousin took castor oil and it did start labour but caused such bad contractions that her placenta started to tear away and she was rushed for an emergency c section, really really not worth it!

 

[Gemie]

Does EPO have the same adverse affects?

 

[RNmommy]

EPO as in Erythropoietin??

 

[leighbunny]

Tbh i thought this was common knowledge now :S scarry to think people still think its ok to do this. Such a huge no no in pregnancy. my work mates daughter who is nearly 30 and has a little girl of 7 years, she found out last year she was pregnant again,started to take castor oil in her last few weeks of pregnancy, i did mention to her about the risks but she just laughed at me and said your as bad as the midwives. the oil didnt make her labour early but baby did poo inside her before she gave birth and had to be watched for complications. i found it so hard not to say "i did try to warn you" but resisted.

Please ladies dont put your babies in any unavoidable risks.

 

[Gemie]

EPO as in Erythropoietin??

Evening primrose oil

 

[RNmommy]

EPO as in Erythropoietin??

Evening primrose oil

LOL!!! Gotcha. I haven't heard anything about that being bad. Its different in that EPO is an herb that comes in capsule form and castor oil you just straight up drink. I would have to do more research on that. I know they don't recommend it if you have placenta previa because it is supposed to soften the cervix and that can be dangerous if your placenta is sitting partially or completely on your cervix.

Hope that answers your question somewhat.....

 

[Gemie]

Thanks hun... I hadn't read anything bad about using it and I know lots of ladies do on here, I was worried b/c I started taking it 2 nights ago so when I read this I was worried it would do the same

 

[RNmommy]

Not that Im aware of. But If ound something for you on another thread. Maybe this will help.

This article explains the usage of evening primrose oil to induce labor, what evening primrose oil does, and how it should be used.

Pregnancy can be a joyous and exciting time for a woman, but it can also be a time of uncertainty. Most women have experienced the feeling of wondering if they would actually be pregnant forever. When a due date is approaching or has gone by without any signs of labor, doubts can form in a woman’s mind, especially when her doctor or midwife starts talking about inducing labor. Inducing labor using modern methods such as Pitocin is very common today, but some women prefer to try out a few natural methods before resorting to more invasive practices. There are many herbal methods thought to help bring on and enhance labor, as well as a few folk methods such as taking a bumpy ride in a car or eating spicy foods.

Evening primrose oil is a commonly used method of naturally preparing the body for labor. It does not directly induce labor, as commonly believed. Evening primrose oil acts as a prostaglandin, which ripens and softens the cervix. The ripening of the cervix can help the baby’s head engage deeper into the pelvis, which can help with dilation. Ripening the cervix can cause some of the contractions that start labor. Sometimes, though, these contractions are simply Braxton-Hicks contractions, which help prepare the body for labor, but do not mean you are in active labor yet. Ripening the cervix can help trigger the onset of labor, but it is unlikely that evening primrose oil will bring on labor in a woman whose body is not otherwise ready. Even if you end up having to induce labor, using evening primrose oil in the days and weeks prior to induction can still be beneficial. When the cervix has been ripened and softened, induction has a much higher rate of being successful. The ripening of the cervix may even aid in making labor faster and easier.

Evening primrose oil is a less invasive method of triggering labor, so it can be used earlier in the pregnancy than some other methods. As soon as 34 weeks, evening primrose oil can be taken orally. It is generally recommended to take two 500mg capsules a day until 38 weeks. At that time usage can be increased to 3-4 capsules per day. An entire capsule can also be inserted vaginally. It is best to do this before bed, so the capsule can dissolve while you sleep. You can also use the oil during perineal massage, and massage it on the cervix as well. Applying the oil directly to the cervix will produce the best results, but the ingredients in evening primrose oil can also be absorbed through the external skin or stomach.

The body can be stubborn, and even when using all the natural methods of inducing labor that are available, you still may not go into labor right away. The most important thing you can do is relax, since stress itself can delay or even stall your labor. Unless there is a medical reason to worry, don’t be concerned if your due date has come and gone. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, your body and your baby are preparing for labor to begin.

 

[BigPoppa192]

I am undecided on this one because castor oil is pure and has no nutrients so does not enter the bloodstream it is just passed straight through the digestive tract. If it isn't absorbed into the blood then i can't see how it will get to the baby, according to our MW an overdue baby is just as likely to pass meconium in distress as that of a baby induced by castor oil. I guess pregnancy and babies really are specific to their own reactions.

 

[Kimboowee]

I am undecided on this one because castor oil is pure and has no nutrients so does not enter the bloodstream it is just passed straight through the digestive tract. If it isn't absorbed into the blood then i can't see how it will get to the baby, according to our MW an overdue baby is just as likely to pass meconium in distress as that of a baby induced by castor oil. I guess pregnancy and babies really are specific to their own reactions.

Thats what I've been told too.
I still won't be trying it though - my fear of pooping in labour is bad enough!

 

[PeanutBean]

Apparently there is a method for applying castor oil topically rather than ingesting it. I doubt I'll be trying it either way but that's a different option.

 

[RNmommy]

I am undecided on this one because castor oil is pure and has no nutrients so does not enter the bloodstream it is just passed straight through the digestive tract. If it isn't absorbed into the blood then i can't see how it will get to the baby, according to our MW an overdue baby is just as likely to pass meconium in distress as that of a baby induced by castor oil. I guess pregnancy and babies really are specific to their own reactions.

I was told specifically by my OBGYN it is possible for that to happen. There are no scientific studies that say yes or no. I can tell you that I would definitely never do it again. I wouldn't take the chance putting my baby at risk like that.

I guess its everyone's own decision.

But you're right about the baby in distress. It is possible for any baby in distress to have a bowel movement in utero, related to castor oil or not.


Ive never heard about it being directly applied to the cervix...that's interesting. Thank you!

 

[Mummymac]

It sounds too gross anyway! yuck!

 

[RNmommy]

Yeah, it tasted like liquid cardboard! Yuck!!!!!