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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Castor Oil Question Please

23 replies

tamula · 01/04/2005 15:02

I have just bought a bottle of 'virgin' castor oil to speed up the onset of labour. I am 7 days over and want this baby out! I have tried everything else but on this said bottle it does not reccommend that pregnant women take any of it. Have I bought the wrong type? Should I throw caution to the wind and take it anyway or what? I'm a little confused.

Thanking you

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mummytosteven · 01/04/2005 15:06

oooh I wouldn't take it - wouldn't want to risk a really horrid runny tummy. think the whole castor oil thing is a bit of an old wives tale. if you do want to try one of the more alternative things, pineapple or curry sounds a bit more appealing, or going for a good long walk

Aimsmum · 01/04/2005 15:07

Message withdrawn

irishbird · 01/04/2005 15:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lua · 01/04/2005 15:08

Hi Tamula,
I know this is a subject that rises much passion. There was a thread a month or so ago that got a bit nasty....
My personal experience was great! I took one tablespoon at 10PM, woke up at 4Am with contractions every 2 minutes had my baby by 1PM without any drugs. Never got really sick with it. I did only try as a last desperation. I.e. the day before I was going to be induced. It was recommended by my MW, although she warned me not to take more than 1 tblsp.
In my very personal opinion it is a better induction than drip, so worth a try before it. Now, of course I amnot a medical professional! From what I remember from other threads, it has a good record of working when cervix is ready! So not worth a try until the last minute I think....

Good luck with it!

mummytosteven · 01/04/2005 15:08

IIRC you have to do it for something like 3hours solid to make any difference tho.

frogs · 01/04/2005 15:08

Don't.

I tried it with ds, and not only was it an EXTREMELY unpleasant experience at both ends, it didn't work.

skerriesmum · 01/04/2005 15:10

Have sex instead. First get dh to help you with massaging your perineum (use the castor oil not to waste it completely) and then see what happens... that was the last time we had any fun for about six months as ds was born next day!

HappyMumof2 · 01/04/2005 15:11

Message withdrawn

Azure · 01/04/2005 15:13

I used castor oil when DS was overdue and it did seem to bring on labour. I had to get DH to buy it as the chemists refused to sell it to me (although at DH's first attempt he proudly brought home a bottle of cod liver oil - not quite the same). I seem to remember that the bottle says not for pregnant women because it can bring on labour - in your case, what you want. One concern I had in retrospect was that as DS was posterior I wonder whether I encouraged labour too early - but I'll never know what otherwise might have happened. I took the castor oil mixed with orange juice to help with the taste. Best of luck regardless of whether you try it!

wools · 01/04/2005 16:07

I wouldn't use it. I was told it would bring on labour. I was overdue so did use it last time as I was impatient....it didn't work and gave me the most hideous stomach pains and diarrohea. This pregnancy, I'm definately going to let nature take its course.

mears · 01/04/2005 16:13

When the baby is ready it will come. Castor oil could give you incredible stomach pain, diarrhoea and no baby. If you did go into labout after I suspect you would have anyway. Make an appointment for the hairdresser - that is a sure fire way of getting ablour to start

Jackmummy · 01/04/2005 16:17

I took some when I was preg with my ds. I remember it being the most discusting experience... I could hardly swallow the stuff. Even mixed with lemonade I was retching. I was desperate though!
Not sure if it worked as also ate an entire pineapple, had a curry, went for a long walk and demanded sex (the sperm helps soften the cervix) all within 24 hours... so not sure what did the trick, but something did!

pinkdiamond · 01/04/2005 17:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

tamula · 01/04/2005 18:16

Thank-you all for your advice.

It would seem that the overwhelmimg majority are not in favour! I think that what I may do is wait until the night before my induction and give it a go then. I'm just very much against being medically induced but even if it means i still have to be, castor oil would have been my last shot, believe me I have tried everything suggested and alot more to no avail!

Thanks again

Tam x

OP posts:

pupuce · 01/04/2005 18:54

Tamula - you know you do not have to agree or you can request a delay to your induction. This is part of your rights !

Original poster

tamula · 01/04/2005 19:11

Hi Pupuce,

No I didnt know that. Thank-you very much for letting me know, I intend to excercise my new found rights and wait until I am 14 days late now! I know its just 2 more days but I'd feel happier.

I have a friend and her mother was induced at 10 months pregnant!! I have no desire to wait that long but can you imagine?

OP posts:

pupuce · 01/04/2005 19:14

Yes there are "plenty" of 44 weekers.... You can request a scan to check placenta and fluid levels.... and continue being pregnant.
Is it your first? Are you sure of your dates (how do you know them?)

pupuce · 01/04/2005 19:15

BTW - when I was overdue my hospital was happy to leave me alone (provided I went every other day to be checked) until 43 weeks.... went in labour at 40+11
It's not a science thing it's a postcode thing!

Original poster

tamula · 01/04/2005 19:33

Yes it is my first, I am text book when it comes to my menstrual cycle, every 28 days for about 3-4 days and I log all my dates.

They first decided I was due on the 29th but at my dating scan re-assigned me to the 25th.

My hospital says that they operate a 12 day wait only but I see no harm in asking as I am considered a low risk pregnancy, I'm booked in for the midwives unit as opposed to the central delivery suite.

OP posts:

pupuce · 01/04/2005 20:24

You may find at 14+ they will not allow you in a low risk unit - sigh!

pupuce · 01/04/2005 20:26

You could argue your dates - not the scans. Was it a 20 week scan or an earlier one?
Also 1st timers' average gestiational age is 41 weeks and I am sure it would be higher if we didn't induce so much !

Original poster

tamula · 01/04/2005 23:38

Hi Pupuce,

I think the dating scan was done at 20 weeks

we're fresh back home from the hospital, i'd noticed a very distinctive lack of movement today and wanted to reassure myself that all was well, anyways we get there and I just felt so crushed, the hospital was all dirty and the midwifes were extremely lacklustre in their approach not to mention the one who saw to me, she didnt wash her hands use gloves or be at all nice, wouldnt examine me internally to see how my cervix was coming along or give a membrane sweep. She suggested that a sweep and checking for cervix positioning was the same thing was she right? I have no idea, I thought not though.

I wish i opted for a home birth now, I never could understand why some people do a job that clearly they hate or have no passion for, my boyfriend thanked her and said goodbye whilst all she got was a frosty not impressed look from myself, so i'm pleased that I didnt tow the line and be polite

anyways enough ranting, and so to sleep...

come on baby, come out

OP posts:

pupuce · 02/04/2005 09:31

If your dating scan was at 20 nweeks then you can argue that yoru OWN dates are more accurate.
And you can still have a homebirth!

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