Inducing Labor

Vicki - posted on 02/14/2010

i just had a baby almost 4mos ago and i was induced 2weeks early,trust me you dont want to be induced.it can take forever to have the baby,i was in labor for 15hours and was there for about 3hr before that.the potossin can take a while to work. to make things worse i ended up having to get an emergency c-section. as much as you want the baby out,i recomend just letting your baby come out when the baby is ready.

Shauna - posted on 02/13/2010

I am not sure if it really works, but I know I wouldn't try it....I know 2 people who have one just had severe cramping and the other almost had her baby in the toilet. I think people are different. I wanted to hurry mine along too, but it was due to a bad winter storm coming, I tried walking Wal-mart for hours, I tried the mac-n-cheese with A-1 sauce, yuk!!!!! The sex one worked for me... Good luck

Bridgette - posted on 02/13/2010

There has been no proof that it works.. the thought behind it is that you get your body working "down there" by having BM's... HOWEVER... if it doesn't work (and probably won't if your body is just not ready for labor) you are stuck with an upset crampy stomach and diahrea...

Heather - posted on 02/13/2010

40 weeks and 6 days is term and 41 weeks is when you are overdue. 40 is generally the number to aim for, especially if you are one who is a believer in the wisdom of the Bible. The Israelites were in the desert for 40 years, Jesus in the desert for 40 days, Noah on the Ark for 40 days and nights....be thankful you aren't an Israeli in the desert.... Castor oil will cause cramping and diarrhea and the prostaglandins produced may have an effect on the uterus and may or may not get you contracting. It may make you dehydrated and low on potassium too.... I am an advocate for plenty of sex and the prostoglandins from the semen have a beneficial effect on the cervix, helping it to become "ripe" and make it easier to dilate. That way your uterus may not need to contract as much and should be easier on you and baby. Go swimming in a pool too to get some exercise that is easy on your joints and help you forget how big and heavy you are near the end of your pregnancy. The buoyancy is wonderful! After you do all that have your doctor or midwife strip your membranes......at 40 weeks....earlier only if there are risk factors such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, etc..... Do good things for yourself and except all loving offers. Oxytocin is the love hormone! Feel the love!

Cindy - posted on 02/13/2010

no hunni castrol oil dont work old wifes tale unfortunately a tried lol curry and sex dont work either, just go with the flow it will happen when ur body and babys ready

Marla - posted on 02/13/2010

I did try the castrol oil in my first pregnancy. The doctor's ended up having my due date wrong, and thankfully, all it did was make me run to the bathroom like crazy. The taste is horrible, and it is a really thick 'oil'. For weeks after trying this method, I felt like I could still smell it, and it made me literally gag. Please don't try this!! When your baby is ready, you will know. You want to make sure the immune system is fully developed and also all the vital organs. You wouldn't want to harm your baby in any way, just to cut a few days off of your pregnancy. BTW- my second pregnancy, I was pregnant for a year, and did NOT try this method again.. This was before the doctor's wouldn't let you go a couple of days over your due date. It would never happen now...

Jamie - posted on 02/13/2010

I had a baby 6 1/2 months ago, and I feel your pain....i tried it all spicy food, sex, walking...you name it i tried it......Being so far along I would think your doc would induce if your body is not already progressing for the birth....but unfortunatly that is all that works....patocin (misspelled i'm sure). Good Luck and keep us posted.

Baby Maker - posted on 02/13/2010

I was booked in to be induced and as far as I was concerned taking castor oil was a better alternative (not a fan of interventions). I took 10mls which is NOT even a high dose. I mixed it with coke as that stops you from tasting the yucky taste. I took it at around 2pm and I went into labour at midnight!!

However............. It was MESSY omg the poor midwife... I was well and truly over due and don't forget you're not OVERDUE until you're 42 weeks +. I wouldn't be doing anything to get it going prior to be OVERDUE.
I didn't repeat the castor oil trick with #4 because of all the mess and feeling like pooping all the way through labour

Kimberly - posted on 02/13/2010

I used castor oil, and for me yes it worked, but your body does need to be ready. I honestly wouldnt try it again as it caused a very long non progressive labour. I honestly believe that if i had of let my body go into labour on its own i wouldnt have been in labour for 26 hours. So if you are prepared for the side afects go for it but trully i dont think its worth it! Good luck with it though, and hopefully it will happen all on its own for you!

Alice - posted on 02/12/2010

Just as an apple has to get ripe before it falls off the tree, your body has to get"ripe"No laxative works unless your body is ready to birth the baby. My kids are 28 & 30. With both of my pregnancies, I went 44 weeks.(Doctors won't let women go that long now).Best thing to do--nipple stimulation, sex. keep active.. walking will help relieve the boredom.. I guarantee you will not be bored after the baby arrives!!!Hope everything goes well.P.S. I am also a former labor & delivery nurse--so I do have some experience in "birthing babies".

Laura - posted on 02/12/2010

My experience with castor oil- 4 babies and only effective once. My first baby I was likely to have the baby next day anyways (having contractions I couldn't feel). Castor oil gave me tummy craps, the runs and made me puke. It wasn't nice. On the up side I didn't poop for a week after I had him, which was nice seeing as I was really sore down there. But it seemed to contribute to kicking off the labour.
I tried it with my next 2 (even doubled the dose), coz I was overdue. It didn't do anything.
So I didn't even bother trying it with my next one.
Seriously it won't work if your not about to go into labour anyways.

Teresa - posted on 02/12/2010

You are SO close!! Just hang in there a little bit longer!!!

Samantha - posted on 02/12/2010

do not know much about that,i have been told not takeing it right can make u sick.good luck with everthing

Kathy - posted on 02/12/2010

Caster Oil can be found at many drugstores and pharmacies...Although i have heard that it can make you sick to your stomach instead of inducing labor! I know you are probably soo ready for that baby to come out, but he/she may not be ready! Just be patient. By the time you get this, you may already be in labor! :)

Pamela - posted on 02/11/2010

First...relax! Your baby will come when he/she is ready...it's not on your time frame:) Secondly, for God's sake do not take Castrol Oil as that is an automotobile oil!~ The oil you are referring to is Castor Oil and is readily available over the counter at any drug store, Target, Meijer and the like. Having said that...Castor Oil lubricates your intestines...not your uterus. It will only act as a laxative. Patience hon")

Jessica - posted on 02/11/2010

Haha, I have heard Castor oil, Castrol is engine oil. You can get it at the grocery store. I never tried it, but your baby will come when he/she is ready. Just be patient, perfection takes time mommy! =) Hope that helps.

Robin - posted on 02/11/2010

Castor oil can be dangerous! Be patient, babies never stay in there forever, they come when they are ready. The 39 weeks is such a guess and so is 40 weeks a "general" expectation. If you are getting pressure from you OB to induce at 40 weeks 'just say no'! They may not tell you and certainly won't emphasize the serious risks you are taking with induction. Your body was created to do this very job and only the baby knows when it is truly done baking. Patience!!! It will be so worth the wait to be able to work with your body rather than forcing it.

Jennifer - posted on 02/11/2010

I agree 100% with Mary.......Baby comes when ready!
It's easy for us to say that having a curry, red wine, sex, etc.......will bring it on if that has happened to us but it will only happen if it's meant to anyway.
I have heard so many weird remedies like eating a whole pineapple..... (laughs).
As for Castor Oil.....Ewwwwww! Imagine if you did go into labour - having the runs would not make for a very pleasant birthing experience for yourself, baby,midwife or any others in the room. Good Luck ......It will happen when it's supposed to!

Jenine - posted on 02/10/2010

I was overdue with my 2nd son, and actually purchased a bottle castor oil but my mom talked me out of it (she's a nurse). Seriously, sex is the best way natural way. Not only does it release oxytocin but semen helps soften the cervix....not in the mood or husband afraid of poking baby in the head :) (sorry, had to throw that in)...nipple stimulation also releases oxytocin. Walking is great as well and helps build up your stamina for labour. Baby will come, I know the last couple of weeks are brutal but enjoy the peace and quiet while you can, read a book...just relax. The doctors never let you go past 2 weeks overdue so you know you won't be pregnant forever. And I have to say natural is the best way, I was induced with my 2nd and it was so very, very intense!
Keep smiling...almost there!!

Michelle - posted on 02/10/2010

castor oil can be very dangerous....it can make the baby have a bowel movement (meconium) inside of you. which can result in the baby breathing in the meconium at birth which then can cause a serious lung infection. Just wait. I know how you feel that last week sucks, excuse the language. You are tired, swollen, uncomfortable, can't sleep....but it will come.

Helen - posted on 02/10/2010

Hi, I think you may mean "Castor Oil", Castrol Oil is a brand name for car oils - and taking that would certainly be a no no.... It is an old wives tale to take Castor Oil - where to get it????? Couldn't help you there. My second son decided to be late, 2 weeks infact. And even after having the gel inducement etc in the hospital he still didn't come. So at almost 42 weeks, oxytocin was used and within the hour my baby arrived. However, if this is your first, you should try and hold out as inducement is often very quick and very painful - with little to no time for any of the pain relief options available for a natural birth. Hang in there - I know it's hard at this stage. But if bubba's not quite ready - don't rush them along!! Goodluck!!

Anneliese - posted on 02/10/2010

Thanks ladies

Kate CP - posted on 02/10/2010

Castrol oil is really dangerous and you shouldn't try it. Walk, have sex, and just wait for baby to show up on his own.

LaTeasa - posted on 02/10/2010

Sorry I laughed when I read this!!!! I tried ever\ything under the son with my first child! I was at 41 and a half weeks or so they thought when I decided to use the castor oil when I had my son. I took it at about 6pm and my son was born at 4am and they figured he was at least 2 weeks over due when he came out so he was definately ready to come out! However castor oil really gets things moving inside!!! So if you decide to use it plan to be miserable! I thought since it worked once on my second child it would work again! at 38 and a half weeks I tried it and I just spent the entire night miserable in the bathroom. So whether it works or not I am not sure yet! Just keep in mind that if the baby isn't fully ready they will not come out no matter what you do! If you do decide to use it you can get it at any pharmacy.

Nicola - posted on 02/10/2010

caster oil is a stong type of laxative my friend had castor oil and i dont know if that could have contibuted to her baby pooing in the womb which is very dangerous esspecially if the baby swallows it so please dont try the castor oil

Vicky - posted on 02/10/2010

Try a birthing ball (or an aerobics exercising ball is the same thing) as gently bouncing on one gets the baby in the correct position in the birth canal which might bring on labour, it did for me anyway, plus it really helps with back ache.

Tracy - posted on 02/10/2010

You can get it at natural food stores, BUT it's not a good idea. It's a powerful laxative. And from what I've heard, it tastes awful. Just let nature do her thing.

I had to have both of my kids medically induced.

Kristen - posted on 02/10/2010

My thoughts? All forms of 'inducing labor' are really just Old Wives tales.

With my second, I tried everything. Sex, walking, raspberry tea, I even had my membranes swept twice. Nothing worked. I finally went into labor at nearly two weeks overdue. Even then, after laboring at home for over 28 hours, my cervix STILL didn't dilate past 3 cm's. My midwife sat by my side all day, checking every few hours and nothing happened. So, we finally went to the hospital and she broke my waters, and gave me oxytocin which FINALLY rocked my body into action, lol! 30 minutes of pushing and my little dude was born.

My point is, you're only 39 weeks. You've got lots of time yet. Your body knows best, and if there's nothing wrong, and pregnancy is going fine, there's no reason to be worried. I went nearly two weeks overdue, and I was having a VBAC. My first pregnancy was a C-Section, and there was no way I was going through that again. I wanted a natural birth come hell or high water! Had I had a doctor instead of a midwife, I would have had a fight on my hands, as most Docs. won't let you go so far overdue if you've had a previous c-section.

Anyhoo...I'm a strong believer in the natural way of doing things. At least give yourself a couple more weeks before you start to wonder.

Sharon - posted on 02/10/2010

This is why I found doctors who believed in the 40 week rule.

Good luck!

Mary - posted on 02/10/2010

No, castor oil does not work. It may make you contract, but you will not go into labor until your body is ready to do so. Sex is the best of them all for cervical ripening, because of the prostaglandins in semen. Again, it can make you contract like crazy, and a bit needlessly uncomfortable, but unless your body is ready....

I'm sure there are tons of women on here who will give you anecdotal stories about how eating at Taco Bell, or doing yoga put them into labor, and I'm sure that is their PERCEPTION of what happened. Truth is, they probably would have gone into labor at that time anyway, with or without that burrito. Sorry you're feeling done...it sucks at the end, but remember, the end IS near! Good luck!