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No Effacing Or Dialation, Will Castor Oil Help?

5 posts on this thread and the last post was on January 8th, 2008 2:50 PM
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ccoutman - December 28th, 2007 6:34 PM
[Original Post]

Ok, This is my first baby and over 40 weeks. The ultrasound says that the baby is around 9 lb and is in the right position. But I'm neither effacing nor dialated, and I've tired walking, sex and nipple stimulation to induce labor. Im ready to try castor oil but will it work if im neither effacing or dialated?


mjvdec01 - December 28th, 2007 11:41 PM

I never tried it myself, and I hear mixed reviews from women who have. Maybe you could do a search and find more information. I do know that it can cause horrible abdominal pain and diarreah, so if it did work you may be worse for wear. If you don't go in to labor soon won't they induce you? I was induced with my first and had a wonderful experience with it.


gabbysally - January 3rd, 2008 3:09 PM

I know my mom was 1 and a half weeks late with me - she was in the same situation and took castor oil - she went into labor 30-40 mintues later and the was in labor for only 45 mintues! this sounds inspirational to me - but don't hold me accountable if you don't have the same experience!! good luck :)


cutie_wutie - January 4th, 2008 8:19 AM

Castor oil



There are reports of castor oil being used to bring on labour as far back as the Egyptians, though how it works is poorly understood. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative, and when it stimulates the gut it also stimulates the uterus and so "kick starts" labour.

Is it safe?
Nausea is likely to be the immediate effect, followed by a bad case of diarrhoea and there is a risk that you will become dehydrated. For this reason, we would NOT recommend taking castor oil.

Does it work?
A study of 100 overdue women found that 57.7% began active labour after a single dose of 60ml of castor oil, as opposed to 4.2% who received no treatment. Another small study found that taking castor oil had no adverse affects on mother or baby. Neither study was of a large enough scale to be conclusive.

How do I try it?
This is one we would NOT recommend but, according to a survey of midwives, 4 fl oz of castor oil mixed with orange juice is the usual dose. It is revolting (very oily) to drink though some suggest that making it fizzy by adding ½ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda helps. A second dose can be given 12 hours later.



BMBHONEE - January 4th, 2008 3:29 PM

okay.. well from experience, I will tell you it may not do anything at all... I was a centimeter dialated when I went into the doc on wens, and by yesterday I was just ready ready ready.. so I did the one thing I was dreading to do, and I took castor oil. many ppl say its not so bad in a fizzy drink so I took 3 tablespoons with pepsi, and well unfortunatly.. nothing happened.. at all.. I didn't even get a bowel movement.. and its been over 12 hours since I took it... and not a thing but a few tummy cramps here and there.. and horrible back pain, and I have had lots of discharge today, but other then that, nothing.. no strong contractions or anything. the only thing I can really suggest is going walking.. its supposed to be one of the best things to do.. and I've been going a lot.. so Im hoping things change soon.. Im so ready to see my little boy!


midwife25 - January 8th, 2008 2:50 PM

bath in clargy sage works everytime