Is castor oil a good method of bringing on labour?

[prettypenguin]

...As the title says really... my grandma and my mum had it and it worked with their pregnancies, however my mum had a bad stomach and kept vomiting from it (sorry tmi)


I've tried hot curries, sex, pineapple....I don't really want to be induced as it doesn't sound pleasant, but then again neither does drinking castor oil

I'm just wondering people's opinions on castor oil, is it safe? Is it even worth it?

I'm due to go for a sweep this thursday and I'm not particularly looking forward to it, plus I feel like a walking bowling ball so I want him out asap but he won't budge!! I've had no signs yet so the little man is obviously too comfy in there

 

[pinkyprincess]

I heard it gives you the runs...

 

[prettypenguin]

Oh lord haha

 

[BabyBrain]

It can be dodgy in the poop stakes, just because it contracts the bowel it doesn't mean it will contract the womb.....trust me I have cleaned up the aftermath after my sister and best friend (who suddenly both became too tired to clean the lav) xxxxxxxx

 

[AugustMum]

I wouldn't recommend it. Worse case scenario you don't go into labour and just end up with the runs and a bad belly. Best case scenario you end up in labour but with the runs and a bad belly. Id say just wait for it to happen.

Just keep yourself as busy as possible and time will go quickly. Sweeps really arent that bad either and at least youll know what your body is doing!

 

[prettypenguin]

Haha, yeah I think I'll wait the super spicy curry last night was bad enough! I'm just getting impatient as there's nothing to do now all the nursery etc is ready..this year me and my OH have had all the distractions of moving house and decorating and getting all the baby stuff so I've not wanted him here, now I've had a few weeks of resting and been on maternity leave for what seems like a lifetime (4 weeks)...it's like waiting for Father Christmas and he's late!


My OH is impatient too now, think he's sick of me fidgeting in the night, getting up, moaning and he wouldn't mind 2 weeks off work right about now x

 

[nikki8092]

I took it with my first(along with every other old wives tale) All it did was give me an upset tummy and the runs. My daughter was 10 days late...

 

[prettypenguin]

Oh no my mum is convinced that it works every time but obviously not I suppose I'm just impatient as I've had little signs, mild cramping in my back and lower tummy but it's only happened about 4 times over the last week...last night my tummy went really hard and I felt funny but not in any pain...me and my OH got really excited but then nothing...I guess it was just the curry haha! I suppose when he does make an appearance and scream the place down at 3am I'll be wishing he was still tucked up in my tummy x

 

[nikki8092]

lol prettypenguin, im on my 3rd pregnancy. TRied everything to get first moving and she was late by 10 days, second didnt try anything and he was late by 11 days and i had to be induced... This time im trying everything...TWICE lol cant hurt trying. I did eat 2 whole pineapples in one night with my first... all im saying is i took over the bathroom most of that night.

 

[prettypenguin]

Haha, that was me and my OH last night, we BOTH had hot curries...I don't understand why he had to have a hot curry think he was trying to be a tough man, however it used up twice as much loo roll and we only have one toilet! I had to kick him out the bathroom halfway through his bath haha! oops...x

 

[nikki8092]

lol, you had more need for it tho so technically his was self inflicted so you should have had reign of the bathroom lol. Go for a jog tomorrow(lol) see if that does anything. Just make sure you take a phone with you x

 

[Kirstieplus1]

Hiya I just went to antenatal class today and they were talking about aromatherapy.
Apparently something called clary sage (salvia sclares) promote contractions. Maybe sniffing that will start things up.
Might be worth a try.

Make a pregnancy ticker

 

[nikki8092]

Will definately try that with this pregnancy thanks Kirstiepplus1 x

 

[Emmamb]

I used loads of clary sage oil-I had it in baths-massaged over bump and bottom of my back. Doubled-even tripled the dose u should have and guess what - he was 9 days late!
It does make u sleep tho

I tried everything-eating pineapple-including the core (apparently u need 7 in 1 go for it to work) I managed 3 and all I got was a furry Tongue and killer heartburn!

Castor oil can be dangerous to the baby-it can give intense contractions that can make the baby distressed-not good.

Baby will be here soon

 

[LaurenMM]

I've been bathing in clary sage oil almost every night for like 3 weeks (to help me sleep) and its done nothing for sadly doesnt even make contractions more intense. x

 

[prettypenguin]

clary sage sounds good for sleeping, I'm always tossing and turning! haha he didn't mind, he was cold though stood in the hallway dripping wet with my dressing gown draped over him bless. I just got 2 big twingy pains like, running down where I imagine my urethra is (sorry if tmi) within the space of 5 mins...not had it again yet but does anyone who has had any children know if this is the start of something? I've had them before when walking but nowhere near as intense as just then...(I think I'm just getting my hopes up to be honest!) x

 

[KellyHook]

clary sage oil and evening primrose oil worked for me!

 

[ForestLas80]

Someone told me over the weekend that if u have a day of little/no food then this brings on labour as baby thinks it's best off out as not getting any inside? Not sure this will work for more than 1 day as could be a bit dangerous not eating? Depends how desp u r feeling. I heard castor oil could make babies stressed and if your waters when they break are yellow, green or brown then u might need a c-section as baby showing signs of distress. wouldn't risk castor oil personally

 

[prettypenguin]

Haha I will try the not eating thing, well ill just eat less as I can't go more than 2 hours without food ! Will let you know how that goes x

 

[suzzi]

defo gives you the runs as its like a laxative, ive heard it can make baby bit greasy too!