Should I take the castor oil?

Question

I am highly considering trying castor oil.

I am miserable, I don't want to be pregnant anymore.

I am thinking about taking it on Thursday once I am 37 weeks.

I am a CM dilated. I am not sure if I have lost my mucus plug yet.

I have been having mild contractions and strong braxton hicks contractions.

Do you think I should do it?

What was your experience with Castor Oil?

Answer 1

NO NO NO NO

it causes the baby to have an early bowel movement...

meconium which can hurt you AND your child...

sometimes castor oil brings on FALSE LABOR..

I know someone who was in labor for 17hrs(fake labor with pain!) because she took it...and didnt have the baby untl 3 days later!!

PLEASE DONT RISK IT

Answer 2

I tried it with my first pregnancy and it didnt do anything for me. My son had a bowel movement in utero and the second they told me that I knew it was because I had tried to rush things. I am now pregnant with my second 40 weeks 4 days and as much as I want this baby girl in my arms I cant imagine doing it again. First off it didnt work at all I guess I just dont respond to laxatives like some do and second I cant get the sight of them sticking all the tubes down my sons throat when he was born. I know the last weeks of pregnancy sucks and I know that nothing anyone says will stop you from trying it. Again Ive been there. I hope you have a quick labor and a healthy baby.

Answer 3

I think that 37 weeks is a bit too early, but I will tell you my experience with the Oil.

With my first child, it sent me into labor a few hours after I took it, however, I stayed in the bathroom and my labor was 3 days long!

With this one, I have taken it 3 times, and it worked the last time (tried the omelette recipe, it was still awful), giving my contractions 3 mins apart for about an hour, but then they went away.

Needless to say, it kinda worked, but I am still very pregnant. Good luck!

Answer 4

i took it 2 times after my due date.... i had my labor induced 2 weeks after my due date and went into labor a day and a half later

ohhh... and if you do go past your do date... do not let them let you go for 2 weeks... it could be dangerous to you  or the baby.. my son had some complacations at birth because they did not induce labor sooner and he had a bowel movement while he was in me too.

Answer 5

If I were you I would wait until your baby is ready to come. Not only that I have heard from soooo many people that Castor Oil will just make you sick to your stomach. Good Luck and your baby will be here soon enough!!

Answer 6

NO!! Please do not take castor oil when you are pregnant. It is really an old wives tale and it rarely will make you go into labor unless you drink whole bottles of the stuff. Plus, it has been proven that drinking that when you are pregnant can cause your baby to have a bowl movement inside your stomach, and if that happens, that can seriously cause a lot of problems to your baby, even death. Just think about your baby and see if you really want to hurt your little angel. I suggest walking. LOTS of walking....that sometimes start the labor process, or at least can cause your cervix to start defacing and dilating. Just hang in there, take it easy and remember in three weeks or less all your hard work will have paid off.

Good luck, and congratulations! :)

Answer 7

Castor oil does work sometimes, but I have never know for it to work before your due date...

You will most likely know when you lose your mucus plug - it's usually pretty obvious.

The Braxton Hicks are good, preparing your body for the real thing :-)

Castor Oil is good to due at 40 weeks so that there is no bile in the way of the baby descending down the birth canal :-)

Answer 8

DON'T DO IT.

First of all, 37 weeks is too early.  I know it is technically "full term", but its really best for the baby to stay in another week or two.  If your due date is off a little bit, you could end up with a baby that has to go to the NICU.

Castor oil causes all kinds of disgusting side effects including diarrhea, abdominal cramping, gas and vomiting.  It can also cause you to get hemorrhoids.  

Finally, taking the castor oil does not guarantee you will go into labor.  I took it 3 times the last few weeks of my pregnancy and it didn't work.  The baby will come when he/she is ready.  Just let nature take its course.

Answer 9

I sympathize with your physical misery - I've been there myself.

However, I don't recommend trying to "force" anything like labor. Trust God and your doctor and your body to do this in a healthy way. It isn't nice to play tricks on your body. It sometimes gets upset with you and you pay a price.

Answer 10

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!   don't do it!  I took castor oil with my first and it just made for a more miserable me.  It gives you diahrrhea, dehydrates you, and you feel more miserable than you already are.  They hooked me up to the IV, got me re-hydrated, and my labor stopped anyway.  I finally convinced the doctor to start me since I was in the hospital anyway.....22 1/2 hours of labor and my son was born not breathing.  They were able to work on him and get him breathing, and he is now 5 years old.  But long story short - DON'T DO IT!  That is, if you're going to listen to the advice of someone who has before!

Best wishes....I know you're miserable, it's coming to a soon end!  Try to stay out of the heat, and keep your feet up.  

Answer 11

NO, that's a part of being pregnant, you want to wait until it's ready and not risk hurting it.

Tough it out,

Answer 12

haven't been there yet, but i have heard better things about raspberry leaf tea than castor oil!

Plus, castor oil is just not natural!