What is the deal with castor oil?

[Firsttimer7259]

I know this is suppoed to help induce labour. How? Why? Is it just because it gives you the runs or does it do something else? I also know its not recommended on some sites. Is this because of the pooping or is there something else?

Don't do it. It's like drinking the chip pan.
I don't know one person it worked for.

It gives you cramps in your bowels I believe which can sometimes irritate your womb enough to go into labour or something...?

Not something I would try myself tbh. Can't think of anything worse than possibility of going into labour with the trots, but I am sure there are people here who have used it woth success.

I also heard the MW can tell if you have taken it, not sure how though.

Before you try castor oil try.........
walking up and down the stairs
going for a long walk (as brisk as you can manage)
eat lots of fresh pineapple
sex
I've heard semen is more effective at starting everything off if taken orally......
sit on the washing machine
glass of red wine and a hot curry
I'm sure there's lots more to try

Just as you said, it gives you spasms of the bowel whic than thenn can cause the uterus to contract, however if you are not ready to labour then you will just end up with a run of painful contractions that do nothing and could become dehydrated due to loss of fluids which will then be detrimental to yours and postentially your baby's health.

sorry for the spelling, feeding baby at same time as posting!

Ha! That's it!
Knew it was something like that, knew it was bad.

I am the person it worked for! Well, possibly. Baby might have been on the way of her own accord, of course. My experience was fine but, like you and everyone else on here, I know it is Not Recommended. Midwives either didn't know I had done it or just didn't have time to mention it (dd was born within an hour of their arrival).

Oh god, baby with the runs sounds really bad. None of that then I think. Thanks.

Finding it very hard to stay sensible about wanting this baby to arrive now! Not next week but NOW! I just want her with me and this birth behind us.

My MIL told me to take castor oil as it would "make the baby slippy"

It won't give the baby the runs but it will give you them and that can make you dehydrated which can cause the baby's heart rate to go up and thus become distressed.

Try to enjoy your last few days/weeks without your baby, go to the cinema, have a long soak in the bath, read a book.....you will be so busy for the first few months that you may regret not making the most of this time

It's the most vile disgusting 'drink' ever put upon this earth!!!

I shamefully tried it with my second baby and was throwing up the contents of my stomach for an hour.

Not Pleasant and definitely would not recommend!!!!!

and it didn't even bloody work

I'm in germany and that was what they gave my friend 2 weeks ago to induce her labour!! she had gone in with a few high BP readings and was 40wks + 5! she had 2 "castor oil cocktails" 10 hours apart and her dc4 was born in the early hours of the next morn. It started really strong contractions and although it dilated her a bit she still needed syntocin to dilate her the last few cms!

She didnt complain of the runs and the baby didnt have the runs but suppose she was in the hospital so they could monitor her!

not my idea of the best way to bring labour on but neither was the pessaries that i had! best really if nature just takes its course!