Castor oil?

[fathergoose]

My MW mentioned using this as a possible non-drug induction method if/when I get to 41wks.

I've heard it's absolutely foul, but is it effective? Am keen to avoid a drip for as long as possible after a horrible experience with #1, so open to anything else which might work...

I think you should research the risks. Very surprised a MW would tell you to take it!

A midwife said that? thats awful.

It doesn't work and it is risky.

Lets be honest-it gives you horrific shits.

Sorry op.

Don't do it. Try anything else but not castor oil.

Baby will come when he/she is ready. Relax about it. In ten days (at the most) you'll have a beautiful baby in your arms, one way or another.

My dc2 contractions started the evening before I was to be induced.

Good luck x

There's nothing "magic" about castor oil, OP!

Basically, as a previous poster said, it gives you the shits - because your bowels will all be contracting whilst you're in pooey hell, the localised region (ie the uterus) can sometimes start contracting too.

So it MAY work. But it will be awful for you, and can be extremely dangerous as labour can come on too quickly for baby (and possibly you) and put you both at risk.

DON'T DO IT - I had HORRENDOUS labour thanks to that stuff (stupid me didn't know better 10 years ago!!). Seriously thought I was going to die, would choose an induction over that any time and that's coming from someone who homebirthed last time and plans to this time. Please ignore your stupid MW. It can stress baby too!! My contractions STARTED at 30 seconds apart, I couldn't even get my own toothbrush to pack in my hospital bag it was so horrible!

The other issue it can cause is meconium in your waters - basically not only does it make you poo it makes baby do it as well. This can cause all sorts of problems for baby, and also makes it more likely that you will need intervention as there will be time constraints for delivering your child.

there is plenty of other less unpleasant things to try! I think there was a thread on this a while back - hot baths every day (more often if you can be bothered!) with clary sage and lavender essential oils, EPO capsules up your fanjo, copious amounts of RLT etc

I took castor oil when I was a week over due with dc2 after a horrible agonizing experience with the syntocinon drip with first child.
I would take the castor oil over the drip any day, after taking it I had mild stomach cramps and diarrhea, which turned into labour pains a couple of hours later. I had a straight forward labour, no meconium, Whereas with my dc1 on the drip the contractions were so strong and too close together they caused fetal distress a low heart rate and meconium.

I don't understand why people are afraid of a bit of diarrhea when the effects of the syntocinon are far worse. The pain from the contractions were a hundred times worse than the contractions of my second child.

Thanks. I had heard that it was risky, but it hadn't been an option with #1 (born in the UK) so it's something new with #2 (in the US now). Will definitely do more research before accepting any.

I'm particularly liking the multiple hot baths every day idea ;)

Another thing to bear in mind: my
Midwife warned that sometimes it can give you bad diarrhoea but not set off labour. And then if when you are tired and possibly dehydrated from the diarrhoea, labour does start, your energy levels would be very low and the dehydration could be a risk.

(For my first, signing contracts on a new house seemed to set off labour, but it's a bit of an extreme move )