Does Castor Oil help induce labour?
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING CASTOR OIL Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the castor bean. It has been used for a very long time to help ease constipation or even to induce vomiting when needed, much like we think of syrup of ipecac today. The theory of labor induction with castor oil is that the castor oil acts as a stimulant to the bowels, which irritates the uterus and causes contractions. The side effects from castor oil can include: diarrhea vomiting contractions of the uterus (may or may not be labor) nausea Some women and practitioners, doctors and midwives alike, swear by castor oil as a way to induce labor. Other mothers have tried castor oil and have experienced the side effects but remained pregnant. There are practitioners who do not recommend castor oil because of potential side effects like dehydration (from loose stools and/or vomiting), fetal distress and meconium in the baby. Though castor oil inductions take place without the knowledge of the practitione
