What is castor oil?
Castor oil is made from the seeds of the castor plant (officially named Ricinus communis). It’s found in numerous manufactured products including soaps, lubricants, fertilizers, and even paint. Medicinally, castor oil is sometimes used as a laxative. For centuries, castor oil has also been used to help jump start labor, although there’s limited evidence to show that it works.
Can I take castor oil to induce labor?
Taking castor oil to induce labor could be risky, and there are no guarantees it will work. Research into castor oil’s ability to induce labor has shown mixed results, and it could cause side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stress on your baby. It’s best to consult your healthcare provider before trying this or other natural ways to induce labor.
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That said, several small studies have indicated that castor oil may indeed bring on labor in some women. One study of 50 women pregnant past their due date found they were more likely to go into labor within 24 hours of taking castor oil than women who didn’t take castor oil. Another small study found castor oil worked to induce labor in pregnant women who’d had a baby before, but not in first-time moms. And an older study of almost 200 women whose water broke before they went into labor found that those who took castor oil appeared to go into labor more quickly. Meanwhile, research on castor oil given to mice found that an active ingredient in the oil appears to stimulate the intestines and uterine muscles, causing the release of prostaglandins, which can lead to contractions.
However, one large study of more than 600 women in southeast Asia found no evidence that castor oil helped to induce labor.
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Research on the potential side effects of taking castor oil is also inconclusive. The study in southeast Asia concluded that castor oil poses no danger to women or their babies. But other studies report that women taking castor oil to induce labor often feel nauseated afterwards, or may experience vomiting or diarrhea. One review of castor oil research found it was associated with an increased risk of babies passing their first stool – called meconium – before birth, which can pose a risk to the baby’s health.
How much castor oil should I take?
There’s no established dosage for taking castor oil to induce labor. In fact, experts don’t agree on whether it’s safe to take castor oil for labor induction at all.
Studies of castor oil for labor induction typically involve taking a one-time dose of 60 milliliters (ml) – about 4 tablespoons – at 40 or 41 weeks of pregnancy. The castor oil is usually mixed with another liquid such as juice to mask the bad taste. It’s generally recommended to take castor oil on an empty stomach.
Don’t take castor oil before bedtime because you may be up all night going to the bathroom with nausea or diarrhea.
How long does it take for castor oil to work?
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There’s not enough evidence to show that castor oil will work to induce labor. However, one study found that women who took castor oil to induce labor were more likely to go into labor within 24 hours than women who didn’t take it.
Is drinking castor oil during pregnancy safe?
It’s not safe to drink castor oil before 40 weeks of pregnancy because of the chance it could spark contractions and premature labor. Don’t use castor oil for constipation during pregnancy. Consult your healthcare provider before trying castor oil to induce labor once your pregnancy reaches full term.
Potential complications of using castor oil for labor
Drinking castor oil to induce labor comes with several risks. Castor oil is a strong laxative and ingesting it can result in:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Cramping
- Dehydration
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
It’s possible that taking castor oil to induce labor may also increase the risk that your baby will pass his first stool before he’s born, which in rare cases can lead to birth complications.
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