Natural Ways to Induce Labor

Aug 25, 2008 2:11 PM

Guest :

i used castor oil to induce labor with my third child and it worked three hours later.my contractions were on top of eachother though.it was very painful,but i was glad to finally be in labor.i used it one week after my due date.i tried it two weeks before, but it only gave me contractions for about 2 hours and then stopped.there was no meconium in his amniotic fluid.

Sep 24, 2008 1:24 PM

Guest :

i tried castor oil my first pregnancy 2 weeks before due date. i didnt get any contraction just very naseated and threw up for 2 or 3 hours it was horrible it tastes bad and it wasnt worth trying for me although i have spoken to women who say it worked for them. dont try it before due date you might be sorry, I WAS!

Sep 24, 2008 2:32 PM

Brenda Lane :

Castor oil does taste awful. Apparently there is an odorless and flavorless variety and I have heard that mixing it with orange juice or scrambled eggs cuts some of the bad taste.

Brenda

Sep 27, 2008 9:13 AM

Guest :

I tried castor oil with orange juice. This was by far one of the worst things I have experienced throught his pregnancy. It did not give me contractions and did nothing but keep me in the bathroom for hours and dehydrate me. I DO NOT RECCOMEND THIS METHOD TO ANYONE!!

Sep 27, 2008 7:52 PM

Guest :

i tried castor oil and ten minutes later the baby fell out he was 9 pounds ten ounces

Oct 1, 2008 7:30 AM

Guest :

I used castor oil to induce labor 2 days before my due date with my third child. I mixed the recommended amount in a large shooter glass then added some Pepsi and gave it a quick stir. I drank it in one shot and only tasted the pepsi, though I had a few nasty burps just after. I took it at 8pm and by 3am I woke up to use the bathroom, (one of the side effects of this method) but was also in labor. I had my baby by 9:30am. So, it worked for me and wasn't too bad.

Oct 8, 2008 4:58 PM

Guest :

they say don't use castor oil because it will make you poop the baby out.

Oct 12, 2008 4:40 AM

Guest :

could please anyone one let me know what is the recommneded amount of castor oil to be used by pregnant woman. I am nearly finishing my 41st week. I can't wait to deliver our baby.

Oct 24, 2008 1:40 PM

Guest :

i used castor oil with my second child about 2 weeks before my due date. my doc said he was gonna be big so they stripped my membranes and i drank the oil. i had contractions for about 4 hours then they stopped. so i tried it again with like 5 tablespoons and i was in full blown labor in about 2 hours. i was in the bathroom during some painful contractions though. i guess you have to take the good with the bad. lol. anyway it worked for me!

Oct 27, 2008 12:14 PM

Guest :

i am due in 7 days time and have taken about 2oz of castor oil mixed with orange juice, and still nothing.... has anyone got any other suggestions to induce my labour as i cant wait to meet my baby!! x

Nov 13, 2008 7:16 PM

Guest :

My wife took castor oil 23 years ago & my son was born 5.5 hours later at 5/25/1985 @ 5:25 pm not sure what is up with the 5s

Nov 18, 2008 3:22 PM

Guest :

i have tryed caster oil twice. and both times in the last trimester, however it did give me contrations but it did not bring on labor for me. but i can say if i go into labor in the next few days i am good and cleaned out.

Nov 20, 2008 7:51 AM

Guest :

On the due date of my 1st child I drank 2 tablespoons of castor oil before I went to bed. I woke up 3hrs later in desperate need of the bathroom. Eventually we realised I was in labour and when I got to the hospital I was 8cm dilated! Unfortunately this was not the case with my 2nd pregnancy. The castor oil just gave me bad cramps a good clear out. I'm now debating whether or not to drink it as I'm on baby no.3 with only a couple of weeks left.

Dec 25, 2008 7:01 PM

Guest :

is it bad to try inducing if im only like 38 weeks? cuz im getting fed up with being pregnant.

Dec 29, 2008 11:28 AM

Guest :

I am 40 weeks pregnant & very ready to have my son. I tried Castor oil at 7:15am and at 2:30pm still nothing. I did not get the cramping that everyone said I would. I did use the bathroom like 3 times but still no contractions & no Baby!

Dec 30, 2008 3:37 PM

Guest :

I tried castor oil when I was very ripe ( 3 cent dilated 80% effaced) with my 5th baby and all I got was false labor. You get very ouchy contractions that just stresses you out and makes you fatigued along with loose bowels.

I do NOT recomend trying this on your own because a midwife or OBGyn knows the right doses and you can actually cause the baby to pass meconium.
I highly suggest EPO (Evening primrose oil) capsules which can be punctured and inserted vaginally and taken orally. This only works if you are ready and ripe for birth.

Jan 4, 2009 2:22 PM

Guest :

In my first pregnancy I was in alot of pain and plain tired of being pregnant. I used Castor oil. I drank 3 tbls. and decided to walk for ahalf of mile. I continued to clean that night to stay active. I went into labor the next day!

Jan 6, 2009 1:48 PM

Guest :

It is really only going to work if your body is ready to be in labor anyway. I took it after my midwife told me that I was having a few contractions but nothing steady. She said 3 Tablespoons in a Choc. milk shake. An hour or two later I had diareah for 2 hours then I started having contractions. It was a very long and painful labor (25 hours of intense contractions) but it did work. I wouldnt do it again and I am 3 days away from my due date with baby #2, but if you want it that bad, that is the dosage and a little bit better way to take it.

Jan 11, 2009 2:53 PM

Guest :

Im 38 weeks , and have a scheduled c-section this friday : 5 days away. I know alot of women are unfortunite and have to wait . Im lucky and have an actual date , but Im still going CRAZZZZY ! I wan to have my baby now !! and not be prego anymore !
the baby is breech and Im seriously considering drinking castrol oil this evening . ?!?!?!? Any advice ?!?!?

Jan 14, 2009 8:37 PM

Guest :

I did read all the comments and took 2 tbsp caster oil with warm water. I am almost ready and my contraction at this point is 20 minutes apart and last for 30 seconds. my due date is 17th Jan 2009..... Lets see if it works for me......... Best of luck to rest of all.....................

Mar 11, 2009 12:55 PM

Guest :

I am 29 weeks prego and i have been in the hospital for over a month and im so tired of being pregnant... The baby is healthy but i just want her out... Would caaster oil make me go into labor????

Mar 12, 2009 1:10 AM

pixiejess :

To the previous poster: PLEASE do not even consider trying to induce your baby at 29 weeks. That is insane and irresponsible, your baby may not even live. My son was born at 32 weeks in 2003, a full three weeks AFTER you, and he only weighed 3 lbs and almost died at birth. He was in the nicu for 5.5 weeks. He has juvenile diabetes, asthma, frequent pneumonia, had eye surgery last June due to underdeveloped eye muscles, and needs a cochlear implant hearing aide so he can hear because his ear drums were not formed properly. Being uncomfortable sucks, but do you really want to cause your own child these problems because you were too selfish to spend another 11 weeks tops in the hospital? Do you realize there is only an 85% chance your baby will even live? Seriously, stick it out another 11 weeks. I am 29 weeks with #3, I am due May 26th, it's not that bad sweetie, not bad enough that I would consider something irresponsible and dangerous out of my own need for comfort. Think about it.

Jess

Mar 12, 2009 3:56 PM

Guest :

this is to the girl that is 29 weeks. you would be making the worse mistake of your life trying to induce yourself at 29 weeks. i started going into pre term labor at 29 weeks and was given sterriod shots and put on medication to stop contractions. think about it like this if your baby was born at 29 weeks because you induced him or her on your own, could you live watching you baby who probally only weighs around 2 maybe 3 lbs use a machine to help him or her breath and have a feeding tube to help them eat? ( that will probally go on for a several weeks maybe a few months. its sad. keep that baby in cooking as long as you can.

Apr 6, 2009 5:20 PM

Guest :

i'm 37 weeks, going to the doctor every week now, i tried a teaspoon of castor oil yesterday.. still no baby.. went to doctor today, cervix still closed no contractions either.. any advise??? My doctor doesn't induce until 39 weeks..

Apr 11, 2009 7:50 PM

Guest :

Me and my cousin drank castor oil to induce our labor. It absolutley didn't work. I didn't have one contraction the whole time. It only caused me to have bad gas.

Apr 14, 2009 7:48 AM

Guest :

I am 37wks pregnant and fed up of being pregnant. Is this too early to naturally induce labour? some advice please.

Apr 16, 2009 6:46 PM

Guest :

37 wks the very earliest to induce safer at 39 + natural ways include black blue cohosh tinicture. evening primerose oil on cervix. drinking rasberry tea leaf 2 cups a day. walking, dancing doing squats, of course sex. these are natural things u can get at a health food store rasberry leaf is also fine all threw pregnancy it srengthens cervix for labor and shortens birth time and bleeding.there are other natural oils u can use but do the reasearch on them. caster oil doese work for some but is messy and can cause cramping. most natural ways of inducing only work if your body and your baby are ready. relax is a big thing if u are stressed your baby feels it listen to music use lavender oil on wrists for the relaxing smell, talk to your baby he or she is listening. good luck

Apr 17, 2009 10:51 AM

Guest :

hi i tryed caster oil with my first and it dident work i was 4 days early when it finilly worked caster oil will not work if the babys not ready to come with my second i tryed it 3 week b4 due date she came day after taking the caster oil and the 3rd was the same im now on my 4th child and im 37 weeks tomorrow but not going to try it untill i now all my blood tests are ok on tuesday.so yea caster oil does work but want if baby not ready .

May 3, 2009 3:39 AM

Guest :

I have tried everything on this page to try and start labour but not one of them have worked. Any ideas what i can do now?

May 5, 2009 5:34 AM

Guest :

if u dont mind me asking how many weeks are u.

May 6, 2009 7:15 AM

Guest :

Im due today, and feel pretty fed up as I havent had any signs of him making an arrival anytime soon!
I tryed castor oil 10 days ago, and suprise suprise it didnt work.Just made me feel extremley sick and had awfull diarhea. Iv now become desperate and Im considering trying it again,Do you think it would work second time around now that Im further on? Thanks

May 6, 2009 3:19 PM

Guest :

I am 38 weeks pregnant and understand completely that the baby is not going to come until he is ready. But I sure wish he would consider that I AM BEYOND READY. I am not excited about trying the castor oil due to mess, I have tried intercourse and that did nothing besides give me a painful UTI, and I have been walking as if I am training for a marathon. Nothing is bringing on contractions. Although I know I need to be patient, does anyone have any suggestions?

May 12, 2009 3:12 PM

Guest :

I am 37 weeks almost 38 i have read everything i could find on the internet about inducing labor yourself castor oil seems to be the one most used i took it about 45 mins ago and already my contractions have moved from 17 mins apart to 4-5 minutes apart. SO lets see what happens now......

May 14, 2009 8:49 PM

Guest :

i am 36weeks is it ok for me to use castrol oil i am so ready to go in labor

Jun 3, 2009 8:34 PM

Guest :

i am 39.5 wks preggo...so ready to have this little girl!!! i don't sleep, can never get in a comfy spot; i feel like i'm starting to get depressed. im due june 6 and my doc will not start induction til mon night! i begged and cried but that's her schedule! i've been staring at this castor oil for 2 days night, debating if i should take it! i only get these BAD period like cramps at night! HELP!!!

Jun 5, 2009 10:51 AM

Guest :

DO NOT USE CASTOR OIL!! it may be different for other women but i dont want anyone to experience what i did. i took 2oz at around 9 pm and nothing.. 6 am the next morning i felt really bad cramps. i pooped, no runs or anything. it was like i was constipated but eventually i relieved my self. went back to sleep. around 8 am my stomach was cramping and i had terrible back pain. then the real pooping started.. omg, it was the worst thing ever. around one i called the dr and they told me to come in. i went to triage and my contractions were 30 seconds to 2 mins apart. mind you i had to keep taking off the monitors and running to the bathroom. eventually i was pooping just blood. they gave me 4 bags of iv because i was so dehydrated. they had to give me a shot to calm down my contractions. the babys heart rate wasnt very good until the contractions seize. i was in the hospital for about 7 hours. i probably could have gave birth if i was dilated enough but it would have been terrible because of the poop and what not. my due date is june 7th and im willing to wait now.

Jun 5, 2009 6:18 PM

Guest :

i have 6 days untill my due date but i dont want to take castor oil what else can i do?

Jun 11, 2009 7:31 PM

Guest :

I tried castor oil with my second because I was told if I didn't go into labor within the next week I would have a c-section. The castor oil was aweful! It gave me really bad cramps and made me use the bathroom frequently. Only after the diarrhea subsided did I start having "contractions" which were probably caused by dehydration. I was in "labor" for over 24 hours with strong "contractions" that did not dialate me and because I wasn't progressing they did a c-section anyway. I do NOT recommend castor oil. It could possibly create a bowel movement of the baby in utero, it almost certainly will drain you of your fluids and is overall not the best option for the health of baby or you! The research told me the risks and because I was desperate to meet my baby and to have a vaginal birth I tried it, but no matter your reason, these risks are not worth it! Just wait it out or try a better method like accupressure or something.

Jun 20, 2009 5:07 PM

Guest :

someone please help me i am 17 this is my first pregnancy i am overdue and do not want to be medically induced or have a c section , which is what my doc wants to do, my mom and grandmother told me to use castor oil is it really safe for my baby please answer soon

Jun 22, 2009 5:04 PM

Guest :

ok im 39 weeks and ive tried swimming,wakling, spicey food, bumpy car ride, and nothing has worked the only thing i have not tried is castor oil and im kinda scared because i dont want to be up all night on the toilet... im going crazzzzzyyyy i want to meet my baby already anyone got any advice???

Jun 23, 2009 7:51 PM

Guest :

i took castor oil with orange juice, 3rd child,a week before due date and it only made me go to the bathroom and have contractions that altogether lasted 20 minutes so it didn't really help at all.

Jul 3, 2009 1:54 AM

Guest :

UGH! i tried castor oil with the 1st 2 pregnancies && it worked 1st one 6 hours after && 2nd about 2 hours after taking castor oil && OJ...I am 37 weeks prego && tried the samething again but no go!!! whatelse can i do??

Jul 4, 2009 5:35 PM

Guest :

i will be 37 weeks in 4 days and i am beyond ready to go in labor. i tried castor oil the other day and it made me contract 1cm and go into labor, but yhe doctor stopped it i cant take this anymore wat can i do?

Jul 6, 2009 5:44 AM

Guest :

im 1 day over my due date now and i was tempted to use caster oil but with all the negative comments im not too keen on the idea any more isnt there any chances i could get induced at the hospital early theres got to be a way round it has any one got any ideas

Jul 6, 2009 6:43 PM

Guest :

Oh my gosh ladies....you know going into this that a pregnancy is 40 weeks +/-2 weeks. JUST WAIT until 39-40 before wanting to induce with castor oil or anything. Its best for the BABY! The baby isn't even fully developed until 37-38 weeks. I am 40 weeks today and as ready as I am, I know she will come when she is ready. I am crossing my fingers this week, but I know she is fully developed and will be here soon. Oh well if I can't roll out of bed to go potty in the night very well....thats a sacrafice I made and this is another human relying on ME, her mother, to help her into this world HEALTHY.

Jul 19, 2009 8:39 AM

Guest :

I agree with the last user here. I can't believe some of you are trying this at less than 40 weeks! This is my first baby, he is HUGE, I am 40 weeks + 4 days and horribly uncomfortable. After reading what castor oil can do to your body and baby I am willing to wait or have my doctor induce me. If you are thinking of trying this early, please note I've also read that unless the rest of your body is in sync and ready to go, castor oil, teas, etc. may cause contractions but will not likely cause labour.

Jul 31, 2009 11:12 AM

Guest :

When I was pregnant with my daughter I was 2 1/2 weeks over my due date. I tried everything from caster oil, walking, playing basketball, swimming and even sex. None of these worked for me. A baby will come when they are ready to and not when anybody else is. For all you women who are trying to make your baby come especially before 38 weeks, please wait until after so your baby is born healthy and fully developed. I am pregnant with my second now and am 35 weeks and as long as im not overdue I will totally wait till he comes on his own, no matter how much I want him here.

Aug 13, 2009 8:44 AM

Guest :

I just wanted to say that I have had the worst pregnancy, I had two surgeries, gest. diabites, spotting through the whole pregancy, the worst back pain imaginable( just gets worse and worse). I am on bed rest due to preterm labor, I can barely walk, eat breathe or get comfortable. I cry almost every night from the pain. I have had 9 miscarriages. This is the first baby that has held out and I am now 36 weeks. I read all of these comments and honestly it tears my heart out. The babies will come when they are ready. Usually if you carry to your due date or till that 42 week mark the doctors will help with your induction. I am just happy that my little girl is staying in there and holding out. Through all my pain and all my tears I know that letting her come when she is ready will be the best thing to do. There are babies that are born at 40 weeks that experience problems. Just be thankful that the big day hasn't arrived and be happy that you can have those babies. They are the greatest gift anyone could ever get. Be patient, hold out. This pain is only temporary once you see that little angels face you will know that waiting was the best option.

Aug 15, 2009 1:57 PM

Guest :

to the last woman who posted....bless you, you poor thing! and i agree with you whole-heartedly...DO NOT TRY AND INDUCE!! i've been pregnant 6 times and only have one child to show for it.....this is what you signed up for ladies! get over yourselves...i'm 37 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and uncomfortable as hell too but the baby will come when it's ready!!! i cannot believe someone on here was trying to induce at 29 weeks!! wtf is wrong with you?? are you that ill-informed about your baby's health!??! i'm just shaking my head reading this thread; there are women out there who can't get pregnant at all; you should all be thankful you've been blessed!

Aug 16, 2009 8:46 AM

Guest :

I did a castor oil induction with my second son, He was born on his due date. I took the castor oil in rootbeer, as my midwife suggested. He was born the next day. I had loose bowel movements, for a while, it wasn't awesome, but it wasn't all that bad either. After being constipated for the better half of my pregnancy it was kind of a relief.
I was induced with my first son he was over due and his amniotic fluid was low. This was a pretty difficult labor, being my first i didn't realize that. Until my second son. Anyway, the castor oil did eventually give me some cramps, then turned not so quickly,into real labor.We had plenty of time to get where i had to be. He was born 10 hours after the labor started at home, and was a great labor. He weighed 9lb 11 oz's he was pretty big! But much easier than the induction I tried it because i really wanted to go into labor on my own, or with out the Pitocin.

Now i am on baby number three, and am due in a few day's, I was told i could be induced around my due date, at first i was nervous. But with two other little kids to schedule care for, and a bunch of other reasons, it sounds pretty tempting, i have been laying in bed with bad sciatica for a couple weeks.

I know i am lucky to be pregnant, spare me. I think the option is to try it before medical intervention. I may try it today or tomorrow. As everyone (sane) will tell you, your body has to be ready, i personally wouldn't condone this if you are less than really close, or at your due date, it probably won't work anyway. I have been having super strong BH contractions for a couple day's, And am 3 centimeters dilalated, 70 percent effaced, so maybe i am already primed.
It would be lovely to have a crystal ball to tell me when this will happen, or if on it's own!

Everyone is different. Every pregnancy is different. Talk to your Dr. or midwife first. I am sure they are asked this daily.

Aug 22, 2009 10:43 AM

Guest :

i tried castor oil 2 nights after my due date it seem ed like nothing was happening and then 3 hours later i had the worst diahria of my life!! no contractions, i dont wish that on anyone!!!!

Aug 23, 2009 11:18 AM

Guest :

So I am 38 weeks, this Wednesday my doctor had said that he was thinking about inducing me because I have been having terrible gall bladder problems since I was a month pregnant, however, I have heard that being on that patocin(sp) to stymulate contractions is terribly painfull, so I am researching ways that I can go into labor on my own before Wednesday. Thus far I have tried sex which leds to terrible yeast infections, massages(nothing), acccupressure(the one without needles-Nothing)... so my last option is Castor Oil... and I'm not looking forward to this, however, if it will keep me off the patocin... its worth a shot...

Aug 30, 2009 4:50 PM

Guest :

i'm so done with being pregnant....how much oil do i need to take?

Sep 11, 2009 6:24 AM

Guest :

i am 5days away from my due date, ive got spd an am practically on bed rest im already on crutches an am on a waiting list for a weel chair, im in so much pain! i would really like this baby out sooner rather than later, castor oil is sounding very temping as have tried alot of other methods ie sex, hot baths, pineapple, spicy curry, gental walks and even rasberry leaf tea athough its surpposed to help the second stage of labour, is their anything else i can try rather than castor oil the risks seem to high for me?????? help

Sep 16, 2009 7:45 PM

Guest :

My question is for those who did try castor oil and it worked. Some articles talk about the castor oil causing the baby to excrete meconium in the fluid. Did any of you have this problem? Also, how long do the stomach/abdominal cramps last? Do they stop after labor begins good, or do they last throughout labor?

The reason I am trying to induce naturally is this: I have had two cesareans and one VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), in that order. The only hospital that is allowing me to labor for another vaginal delivery is only giving me until Sept. 22 before they insist on a Cesarean at 38 weeks and 3 days. My last two babies did not come until 42 weeks and they were fine. The VBAC baby had apgars of 10 and 10. I feel like a cesarean would be too early for this baby. This hospital does not use Pitocin to induce VBAC candidates and I definitely respect that. I have fought so hard for this VBAC. I know I can do it (I have already done it once) and I can not stand the thought of them cutting me again. (I know the risks of VBAC and I also know VBAC is more dangerous in a hospital because of all of the procedures they put you through. But with emergency services so close, it is safer than a home birth.) I have been researching homeopathics and acupressure for labor induction as well. I have also been using Evening Primrose Oil to help ripen the cervix. I'm hoping the amniocentesis shows the lungs are not mature enough and they will have to wait on the section, giving me more time to go into labor. (The process of labor and the hormones released during labor actually cause the lungs to mature, so I am not so concerned about lung immaturity with actual labor.)

It is very tempting to stay home and skip the doctor visits until labor begins, but I don't want to have to face an irate doctor because I was non-compliant. I am so stressed because this should be my decision and they just want the easy way out for them. I doubt if any of them have ever seen an actual uterine rupture, yet they would put a woman through major abdominal surgery instead of letting the woman labor (a risk to me of 4%). One older doctor told me that the only rupture he had seen was in a pregnant woman who was in a car wreck and the impact is what ruptured her uterus. He hadn't ever seen a rupture associated with labor! I use herbs to help strengthen my uterus and aid with labor, and I really think they should research this aspect. I believe this decreases the risk of rupture.

Sep 21, 2009 1:05 PM

Guest :

With my 2nd pregnancy I mixed 3oz of odorless/flavorless castor oil with 1 cup of vanilla ice cream and 1/2cups rootbeer in a blender and drank it. I took this at 8am and ate fresh pineapple throughout the day. And by 9pm I was in full blown labor with contracting 3-4 minutes apart! I'm 36 weeks pregnant now and pland on doing the exact same thing next week!

Oct 3, 2009 6:50 PM

Guest :

Please don't try to bring on your baby earlier than 39 weeks. Even as late as 36 and 37 weeks, there is a greater chance of complications if the baby is born early. My daughter was born at 36 weeks and 6 days (my water broke early), and she was jaundiced for several weeks past birth, and was so sleepy she didn't suck well and took a month to start putting on weight. She's fine now, but an extra week or two before birth would have been better for her.

Oct 28, 2009 9:52 AM

Guest :

im 38 weeks im not dialated at all but my cervixs is completely thinned out for the last week iv been having mild contractions but the closes they have gotten is 8 minutes apart an lasted about a minute the night before last i got out of bed cuz i wasnt comfortable and i had this really heavy painfuul pressure on my cervix it wasnt a contraction though bc it last constantly for 10 minutes so yesterday i went walking an i walked for a little over an hour an absolutely nothing happened iv nervouse about the castrol oil bc i dont want the mess but im so sick of being pregnant i want to see my baby boy already i havnt been able to sleep more then 6 hours the last week bc i cant get comfortable because hes so big what should i do?