Inducing Labor

I tried every thing I heard to induce my labor, even castor oil, with NO success. It was a disaster and I would not reccomend it. I had to have both of mine induced at 41 weeks and no matter what I tried, I had to hae the doctor do it. If you are worried about using other drugs you don't have to and I know the hospital staff will try and honor what ever wishes you have to the best of their ability. A happy, healthy baby in the end is more important and if you are scheduled to be induced tomorrow there is NO WAY I would try the castor oil today.. nope!

I agree with everyone else, DON'T use castor oil, it just isn't worth it, the induction is much easier & you can be monitored, CONGRATS on being a mom very soon and if he's born on the 5th he'll share a birthday with my mom & her twin...Again Congrats and hope everything goes smooth.

I tried castor oil with my second child 2 days before my induction. It was bad, I had cramps all night that caused me to go to the hospital. But nothing happened, I was just in horrible pain. I really don't think it's worth it, my induction was much easier and actually produced a baby.

I think the castor oil is worth trying. If it doesn't work then you go on with the other induction. First of all, it DOES NOT cause the baby to pass meconium. The castor oil passes through your GI tract and is not absorbed in any way. It causes labor by stimulating the bowels to move and this movement causes the uterus to contract. I have worked in a birth center with a midwife and this was our main means of inducing after the due date was met. After the due date we would have to deliver the patient at the hospital. It causes cramping and abdominal discomfort but so does pitocin and labor. I don't reccomend trying it before the due date. It doesn't work well earlier in the pregnancy. Good luck!

Oh hun, please do not use caster oil. Yes, it sometimes brings on labor for women, but only if their body is ready for it, and it doesn't happen for everyone. On top of painful labor you'll be sitting on the toilet with the runs and addition bowel cramping. Believe me, that is not the way any woman wants to experience childbirth.

As for waiting on induction...I was due June 28th, well the day came and went so my doctor scheduled an induction...the hospital ended up overbooking inductions so I had to wait another week and my labor started on it's own the day before I was scheduled to be incuded. If you're not comfortable with it, and there's no medical reason to be induced, tell your doctor you'd like to wait another week.

I have tried the castor oil route before. It has started contractions for me in the past (with 2 or my 3 children), but they have never continued on their own and I still had to have the pitocin. Perhaps the contractions helped to dialate me a bit more, but they never threw me into full labor. I would not recommend it. It is totally disgusting going down and not much better coming out and I can't be sure it worked anyway. Best of luck!!

M.,
If you would like a little hint that will induce labor on your own and it will work promise. I worked in a birthing center and we would tell some of our patient that wanted to hurry and induce on their own. It worked for my daughter as well its almost gaurentee to work. Having sex will throw you into labor and it won't hurt the baby at all. Good luck with everything.

J.

I have 3 kids and was induced with each of them. I reaaly felt a need to complete my pregnancy on my own with my last. But, my blood pressure said otherwise! I did manage to dialate to a 3 on my own so it made me feel a little better. I am curious, you didn't mention if there is a medical reason your dr. is wanting to induce so soon. If not, you do have a say in your care. You could tell the dr. you would like to wait a few more days and hopefully go into labor on your own.Remember your due date is an estimate. Tips my doctor gave me to get labor started--stimulate your nipples every chance you get!!! Doing this naturally releases oxytocin in your body!!! It's easy with no abdominal cramping except labor (hopefully). Try it, I wish you luck and an easy delivery with what ever you decide.
SAHM of three-2 boys ages 12 & 8 and a girl 19 months

Never heard of the cator oil. I had intercourse a lot towards the end of my labor- the semon is a natural inducer as well. I went into labor about 2-3 hours after intercourse. I heard it works well but some friends said it didn't work for them. My water broke on 2 of my kids from it. The 3rd child- i did go into labor but my water did not break til later. Good luck.

I was induced with my last child. It was so much easier than being at home, finding someone to stay with the kids and rushing to the hospital! She was fine, all her stats were normal, she scored a 10 on the apgar, perfect little girl! I also had the epideral, it made birth a very pleasant experience! I have had one of my children with out the aid of pain killers or an epidural, I really dont recommend it. With my second child I almost died, and it was a hospital birth. There was a small piece of placenta left in my uterus after delivery, and it made me bleed alot. By the time we realized it was there my blood pressure was 30 over 18. They had to go back in and get that little piece and give me 5 pints of blood. Had I been at home, I would have died. You may want to reconsider home birth, even little things gone wrong can have permanent consequences. Good Luck!

Say NO!!! You are scheduled to be induced tomorrow, so here is the short answer. No one knows exactly what makes labor begin. I personally think that in some cases the baby is just not ready. I woman I worked with actually had her baby induced prematurely! There are risks to induction, so it shouldn't been done without consideration or just for convenience of the doctor.

If you and the baby are doing well, I wouldn't let a doctor tell me that I have to induce. If there is a medical reason beyond just "Your arbitrary due date has passed", I would say yes, but it sounds like you are not totally in favor of it. Do a fetal stress test and see how he or she is doing in there. If the baby is okay, give him/her a few more days.

As far as castor oil goes, those old fashioned remedies do have some basis in reality. Try it if you want. Personally, I just walked and walked and drank raspberry tea.

And btw, even in a hospital birth, you can have minimal to no intervention. Get your birth plan done fast and push for what you want. (E-mail me if you want a copy of mine.) It is YOUR BIRTH! Good luck and God Bless!

i was medically induced with all three of my daughters, each for a different reason, but they all went very smoothly. if it is one of your options i would do it.

don't use castor oil, it will probably make you cramp up and vomit or have diarrhia, but there is no guarantee that it will put you into labor. why would you take that chance?

I have not tried castor oil. I do have a friend that did and it gave her horrible cramps, and the baby still didn't come. :( I was induced just 2 days after my due date with my little girl. I had gestational diabetes and some other problems, and it was just a better safe than sorry kind of thing. I read a couple of people write that it hurts more when you're induced, but that was not my experience. It has been my only pregnancy, but I seriously doubt it hurt less without being induced. I had no complications whatsoever. I think the most important thing is that it feels right to you and you trust the doctor you have. My husband & I recently changed insurance plans just so my ob would still be on our insurance when we are ready for baby #2. There's nothing like having a doctor you completely trust and that listens to YOUR natural Mommy instincts!!

M, I have used castor oil. I heard it works, but all it did for me was clean me out. Make sure you are near a bathroom after you take it. I used pitocin with both my labors. The second I used No pain meds at all. It can be done. I would suggest a doula or massage therapist during your labor. If they massage the right pressure points it really helps speed things up. Britt mom of Owen 4 and Arlynn 7 mo. Just try to relax as much as possible and go with your instincts.

I tried a bunch of the 'home' remedies to induce labor and none of them worked for me. If you decide to try Castor Oil, do it close to a toilet because it acts as a laxative. I was induced the day I was supposed ot have my baby. My doctor wanted me to wait a week, but because I was exactly 40 weeks, he was fine with inducing me on my due date. I say go ahead and induce, but it's really up to you and your family and what you are most comfortable with. If you don't want to be induced tell you doctor. Good luck!

I was terrified of being induced! Then, I went into labor on my own on my due date at about midnight.

Needless to say, the hospital was short staffed in the middle of the night. I wanted an epidural, but the anethesiologist was to busy to come by. I was not prepared for natural childbirth...

I am no longer afraid of being induced... and willconsider it for my second child if it meants having the doctor that I trust there and the option for anethetics.

Whatever you do though, you and the baby will be just fine.

Hi M., first congrats on your baby!! I was induced 2 out of my 3 babies. One I was going to be induced but he ended up here on his own that same day:)I dont know much about the castor oil but have heard that it brings on false labor and very bad cramps. I was scared to be induced the first time but it went so well. The first one I was induced 2 weeks early and the other time it was about a week early. I heard bad stories about it, but nothing went wrong, I didnt even feel anything hurt when they did it. Good luck with your new little baby!!

Hi M.. I have a two week old (my third), but two weeks ago I was in your same situation. I decided to try the castor oil when my doctor mentioned she would push me to induce one week after my due date. I didn't want the medicated birth, so after spending a week on my feet, I tried it. I did go into labor and it was fast -- two hours or so. I'm not sure that an induction wouldn't have gone the same way. I hear that castor oil works for some and not others. I think if I had it to do over again I would have waited for the baby to come on her own and told my doctor to wait too. It was really traumatic and not peaceful, albeit drugfree. I was terrified and would have given anything to climb out of my body -- not the ideal birth experience. Babies come when they are ready. Good luck to you.

My brother was overdue and my mom took castor oil several different times, but it only threw her into false labor and she was miserable. Everyone is different, but I thought you should know it could cause this and to be careful and definitely tell the doctor if you have done this. Don't hide it! Also, they were going to induce me with my first and I went into the hospital and went into labor on my own during the process of getting ready for the induction. They had done an enema and I feel that is what threw me into labor, so it might still happen on its own without the Pitocin. Good luck and I wish you and your beautiful little boy the best. Motherhood is the greatest thing ever!!! Get ready for your life to be transformed.

I tried castor oil with my first pregnancy and it worked within a few hours. With my second pregnancy I wanted to just wait it out and ended up having to be enduced using pitocin. I can say that my next pregnancy will not be induced with pitocin. My contractions were so much more painful than the first time, and my labor was 16 hours vs. 6 hours my first time. Everyone I know who has had pitocin says the same thing and it increases the chance of a c-section. My sister however, used castor oil with 2 pregnancies and it didn't work, just made her have to go to the bathroom. I think it is different for each person. My midwife said it was fine to take but my doctor didn't advise it. I have heard a lot of conflicting things about it, but for me it worked and I have 2 healthy boy 6 and almost 4. I would definetly take the castor oil again, but not the pitocin. I did have a little diahrea, but not bad and absolutely NO cramping!!! My midwife said it cleans you out and actually makes the labor a little easier.

If you do choose to take it the best way for taste is 1 ounce in a hot liquid, not anything cold. The heat with break down the oil a little and we all know what cold things do to oil. I drank 1 ounce in a cup of hot tea with lemon. (the lemon cuts the oily filling and taste) I also ate lemon suckers between drinks. It really wasn't bad. They have the odorless and tasteless kind now which does have some taste but not as bad as years ago. I wouldn't take more than a 2 ounce bottle, but 1 ounce did it for me. Good luck.

You don't say why you are getting induced. It is very shortly after your due date so if there is no medical need to induce, you can easily wait until 2 weeks. Getting induced increases the risk of needing medical intervention, ie a c-section. I know it is routine to induce in this country, but that is one of the reasons why there are so many c-sections. I am from the UK where women who don't have any medical reason to induce just wait till baby is ready to come out. Once you are 2 weeks late, you can rethink whether you want to be induced. This is my advice. Whatever you choose I hope it goes well for you.

I know someone that used castor oil and it made her pretty sick and uncomfortable that day she took it and then that night she went into labor. It was right before her due date.

I was induced with my labor, I went in Friday evening and they started the Pitocin and finally Sunday evening they ended up breaking my water and he was here Monday morning. It was a very long weekend of being in the hospital and just WAITING.

Actually both these boys were born the same year, mine in Feb. and hers in May and they are both normal and healthy. I haven't ever heard of any "bad" things from taking castor oil, so I would think its worth a try.

Good luck, and I hope your child comes soon.

I know you have lots of advice here- and you were only asking about castor oil - and I only know of one or two people who felt it worked for them.

YOu don't elaborate as to why the doctor wants to induce....if you are looking for less interventions during the delivery/birth I would suggest talking with him/her a bit more before starting the induction to determine exactly what factors led him to suggest it....

-b/c you are 'post-date'? (YOu aren't even a week over due yet - with my kids the doc didn't suggest induction induction until 7-14 days post date)
-b/c this is the first day he is on-call after your post-date?
-b/c there is some concern about the baby?

I hope these things have already been covered...

Meanwhile you could try some of the more 'fun' approaches to induction ---sex...long walks...etc.......

Good luck to you whatever happens.....do what you need to have a healthy baby!

Hi...I would definately not do the castor oil. It produces horrible side effects if you look it up. My third child:born April 7, due date was April 3 was scheduled for an induction April 9. And I thought about the castor oil close to the due date and consulted my ob on my last appointment before delivery and he suggested not to do it. He came on his own and wouldn't wanted it any other way, Induction is terrible also, the pain is greater. The baby knows when it's time to come, just relax and let nature take its course. Good luck

Well, I'm not trying to scare you, but induction is not a good choice, if you have one. I don't know much about castor oil, but I'm sure your midwife does. Pitocin just doesn't do the same thing as oxytocin, and if you wanted a natural birth, you may be really disappointed with an induction. I would wait until at least 42 weeks or if my fluid was low, the baby was in distress, before I allowed an induction (assuming you have not had a csection already).

I did not use castor oil, but I have heard nothing but bad things about it. Please, please, please consult your doctor before even thinking about doing this.

Castor oil induces horrible cramping and diarrhea which MIGHT make you go into labor. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not be birthing my child and having horrible diarrhea while pushing... Or, worse yet, have horrible cramps and diarrhea and no baby to show for it!

Most importantly, it isn't known whether or not it is safe for your baby. There has been some thought that ingesting castor oil to induce labor could make the baby pass meconium in utero, which he/she could then inhale.

To me, it's not worth the risk. Definitely discuss with your doctor. I know medical intervention is not what you planned... but hardly any labor goes exactly how we plan. All that is important in the end is holding your little one.

----------

Editing my response to add:

There is no reason to scare M. and talk down to her. And you shouldn't assume she hasn't educated herself regarding medical intervention... she's asking about castor oil, not about medical induction. She's probably already scared, being a first time mom and things not working out how she'd like, using scare tactics isn't very constructive or supportive. Just my 2 cents.

My due date was Jan 26th 2006 and I went in for my last Dr's appt it was a week or 2 before my son was due, and I was just so ready to have him as much as I loved being pregnant and feeling my little guy moving about inside, I was so umcomfortable. My OB scheduled for me to be induced my induction date was Jan 26th 2006, I went in the afternoon and got induced about 1ish my son was born Jan 27th 1:56pm. I just know the contractions came hard and strong I didnt even have time to relax from one contraction and I was having another one. They say it may work being induced or it may not work, you can opt not to be induced and just try to go naturally, its your decision and whats best for you. I never heard about the Castor Oil but like the other post said check with the OB before trying anything like that. My baby was OK he was born healthy. Just remember with your first baby you can go 2wks early or 2wks late, you can always wait and if you havent gone into labor on your own 2wks from your due date then I would talk about being induced. The reason I was induced cuz my baby was already 8lbs. So its your choice on what you should do.

Congrats on your first baby they are a blessing. My little guy is 21mths and he is a joy.

Pm me with any questions you may have.

G.

Hi M.,
I asked my obgyn to strip my cervix for each of my pregnancies to help induce labor in my pregnancies. It helped to get me going each time. I also drank alot of orange juice and my husband and I also had alot of sex to induce labor. I was also told by my ob that alot of constant nipple stimulation helps get labor started. We did all of those things and my kids were born within days literally......my last was born the following day of stripping my cervix. I don't know if this is helpful but good luck!!!!!!! And congrats on your new addition to the family! ~T.

I tried it and yes it brought on labor- however in my case the baby was tangled so there was a reason I hadn't had that baby. going into labor on my own meant the baby was in distress for hours before I went to the hospital and found out! I ended up with a c section. Be very careful about attempting things at home without doctors around.

I have 4 children and my last one had to be induced,he was a week late.I was 33 years old at the time.I did okay.He'll be 19 on December 5,2007.I don't know anything about the Castor oil,but me myself I would not do it.By the way November 5 is my birthday,be a good day to have a baby.Keep us posted,and God be with you,you are in my prayers.

As a nurse and a mother I would counsel against the castor oil. The truth is that due dates are not exact. They can often be off by a week or more. Your body should know when it's time and you'll go into labor naturally. However, this isn't always true. I have been induced and there were no side effects to me or my daughter. If you really don't want to use medicine to induce labor, the doctor may strip your membranes (very painful, but effective) or she could break your water which is also effective. Make another appointment and express your concerns with your doctor and be sure to mention your desire to have your baby naturally. Good luck.

Hi M.,
I have been induced with 3 of my 4 children. On 2 of those we used Cervidil and pitocin and we had a baby soon afterwards. My advice don't use the castor oil, wait for your induction and when you go there get your cervidil this may cause cramps and may not. And when they start the pitocin get an epidural as soon as you can. If you have anymore questions message me and I would be happy to answer as best I can, W.

The best thing to do is just wait until the dr says. Of course hopefully by now you will already have your child. I had plans of not being tied down to the bed. I got everything that I didn't want. I was induced, stuck to the bed, staying there for ever!!! and then ended up with a c-section. To say the least it was a mess of a day but I got a wonderful little girl at the end and that is all that matter. The best advice I can give to new moms is to go in with an open mind. Have a plan but understand that sometimes things change.
Hope all is well
N.

When I took my childbirth class, the two things my instructor suggested to naturally speed things along were 1) walking and 2) intercourse. Hard to say if they worked, but I did both and gave birth a week before my due date. Whatever you do, I would discuss with your doc, especially when it involves taking anything, herbal or otherwise. If you have concerns about inducing medically, let your doc know you would like to weigh the advantages of waiting until the baby decides to come out rather than inducing birth. If he knows your concerns, he may be willing to wait or explain why inducing may be advantageous. If there's not a clear medical reason for inducing, ask to wait. I originally planned on having a natural childbirth, and then at the last minute (and I do mean the very last minute) chose to have an epidural. I was a little disappointed in myself, but as soon as I saw my daughter, how I had her didn't matter to me at all, just that we were both safe and happy. Trust yourself, and trust your doctor as well. If the two of you are willing to talk to each other, all will be well. Congratulations!
T.

M., My mom told me also to take castor oil, it will not hurt anything. Have you tried walking? That seems to help also. I had my 1st child natural and my 2 was induced. With my 1st child I was in premature labor for 5 months and then she was 4 days late, when she decided to come she did. Maybe your little man is just waiting. Good luck with everything and enjoy. T.

Don't do it. You're messing with nature and god's perfect ways. He (god) knows best and your doctor is imperfect, but thinks he knows best. Don't do it, your baby will come with less problems and less labor intensive for you.

Well, I must say that you should be very careful with trying stuff like this. I know that you do not want to be induced, but sometimes you have to do what is right for your baby. I was planning to have a very normal natural delivery, but I ended up with pre-eclampsia 3 weeks before my due date and was induced immediately. I had an epidural and was hooked up to about everything under the sun to keep my body in check. This was not what I had planned, but I ended up with a beautiful, very healthy baby boy. Be careful when you are messing with one of the biggest blessings you can ever have.

WOW, so many responses, and I'm prolly saying what most are. DON'T do the caster oil! It'll just make you SUPER uncomftorable! Talk to your Dr, explain you'd rather wait it out another week on your own. Unless you're 2wks overdue, there shouldn't be any worry. Just make sure you're monitering your "kick count" etc... Hope everything goes smoothly for you! ALso if you get induced, asked to go in at night, and try the Cervidil over night, maybe that way it'll loosen you up some, if doesn't work well, then try the Pitocin. Jus ttalk to your Dr keep the communication lines open!

Do not take castor oil!!!

Yes it causes contractions, because it is emptying your bowels. It does the same thing to your baby. Which can cause them to have their first bowel movement inside the womb. If that happens then the baby can swallow that and it could cause lots of problems.

Walk...have sex...eat spicy foods...relax!!!

I have not tried the castor oil, but I did drink a lot of a natural rasberry hot tea before I went into labor, and it seemed to help. The store I bought it from said it was known to help stimulate labor. I wouldn't worry about being induced so close to your due date. The longer you wait without going into labor, the bigger your baby will be, and the harder the labor will be on you and your baby. I wasn't induced, but they did use pitocin on me to regulate my contractions when I did go into labor, and both me and my beautiful daughter are just fine. Good luck!

yes i can relate. My son was due Aug 14,2005. I was ready to have him a couple of days prior to due date I was walking steps, cleaning car top to bottom, and also tried castor oil. Nothing helped the doctor scheduled me to induce the baby on AUg 18 and I went into labor while cleaning my car! ON AUg 17!! So I think those home remedies are a waste. The castor oil just made me vomit like no other! Unless you want to be sick at both ends I wouldnt do it.