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November 22, 2024 Health

Is Using Castor Oil to Induce Labor Safe or Not?

Using castor oil to induce labor is a traditional method, but there’s not much research on whether it’s safe or not. According to various sources, consuming castor oil does help to start labor for some women but it can also cause unwanted side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stress on the baby.

So, before trying it out, please make sure you consult it with your healthcare provider for labor induction. Castor oil comes from the seeds of the castor plant and is a well-known natural remedy for various uses including digestive health, skincare, labor induction, etc.

This oil consists of fatty acid also known as Ricinoleic acid, which has various medicinal properties. Also, despite the scientific proof of its use to induce labor, many people still use it to induce their labor naturally.

How much castor oil is used to induce labor?

To date, no scientific evidence proves castor oil successfully helps to induce labor. However, based on personal experience or traditional beliefs suggest investing nearly half a cup of castor oil while some say taking more than 1-2 tablespoons is unnecessary. At 40 to 41 weeks of pregnancy. It is consumed usually with another liquid to make the bad taste go away.

Also, an overdose of castor oil can cause diarrhoea, dehydration, and so on. You don’t need to go into labor even after consuming castor oil, so it’s always better to speak with your doctor first.

How does castor oil help induce labor?

Castor oil is widely known for its laxative properties than as a labor inducer. However, it also works on the uterus in much the same way that it does on the intestines, which is believed to speed up the labor process.

The laxative effect causes your intestine to contract. These contraction irritates the uterus which potentially triggers uterine contractions and in some cases, the onset of labor. This is also a reason why people consider it a natural way to encourage labor, especially past their due date.

Studies on women show those who took a dose of castor oil went into labor within 24 hours which was more than half. But that does not necessarily mean castor oil will also help to induce labor for you.

But that’s compared to only 4% those who didn’t intake it at all. So, you can’t fully say whether gluging down the castor oil you will go into labor or not.

Side Effects of Using Castor Oil to Induce Labor

We know and understand the idea of jumpstarting labor without any medical intervention sounds pleasing. However, we recommend you not fully trust in any traditional beliefs and consult with your doctor first.

Health specialists do not recommend to use of castor oil to induce labor because of its side effects. Well, you must be curious so what are the side effects of it, right? The side effects of having castor oil to induce labor are as follows:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramps

Also, there are various side effects which are still unknown. And, if a pregnant woman induces labor before 39 weeks using castor oil to induce labor, the baby’s life might be in danger or need additional help post-delivery.

At 39 weeks baby’s body parts are not fully developed yet at this stage. And, make sure you call your healthcare provider immediately if the following things happen after taking castor oil to induce labor:

• If you’re experiencing severe or constant vomiting, nausea, or diarrhoea.
• There are no contractions even after several hours of taking castor oil.
• Also, if there are no signs of fetal distress such as decreased fetal movement.

Also, you must call your healthcare provider if you experience vaginal bleeding or your water breaks.

Why do healthcare professionals suggest medical induction?

There are several reasons why a healthcare provider recommends a medical induction rather than castor oil to induce labor; they are:

• Your pregnancy is late-term (longer than 41 or 41 weeks).
• The baby’s growth has stopped.
• Both the baby’s and mother’s health are at risk.
• You have chronic health conditions such as kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, etc.
• If the amniotic fluid has decreased.
• You have PROM (premature rupture of the membranes) Condition which is if the water breaks earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• If the mother has a uterine infection.

Inductions are recommended if there are not any health risks. Research also shows that induction at 39 weeks in healthy pregnancy in their first full-term pregnancy in their first full-term pregnancy can help lower the chances of having a cesarean section (C-section).

However, these deliveries have some risks during the surgery and also increase the risk for future pregnancies.

Castor oil has been used traditionally as a natural laxative to induce labor. However, there is no guarantee it will help you induce labor. So, before you try using castor oil to induce labor, consult your doctor first. Because every pregnancy is different castor oil might bring complications for you. So, it’s always better to follow your doctor’s recommendations.

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