We often see people asking if others have taken castor oil or recommending its use. Many are unaware of the dangerous consequences of taking this oil to induce labor.
I often notice on our Facebook group (link at the bottom) that many women ask for other mothers' stories and experiences with castor oil. Most tell them "don't take it", "it's dangerous" and offer alternatives, but sometimes they don't explain why.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil is used to make soaps, lubricants, hydraulic and brake fluids, paints, dyes, coatings, inks, cold-resistant plastics, waxes and varnishes, and perfumes. It is also sometimes used as a laxative.
What are its effects?
Some people swear one thing worked for them, others don't. I swear walking and dancing worked for me, but another mom will say it was pineapples. Castor oil has very little evidence of effectiveness, mainly causing diarrhea, cramps, and nausea.
"The irregular and painful contractions induced by castor oil can be stressful for both the mother AND the fetus. The use of castor oil may stimulate the passage of meconium, leading to neonatal respiratory distress due to meconium aspiration."
A study found that one hundred pregnant women who had attended the hospital to give birth were selected. The sample was divided as follows: 50 women had already taken castor oil and 50 women had not taken it at the time of delivery.
The results show that many maternal complications occurred in the castor oil group compared with the control group, such as fatigue (12.0%), nausea and vomiting (20.0%), and excessive uterine activity (12.0%) compared with (8.0%, 4.0%, 4.0%) for the control group respectively. About one-fifth (18 %) of the castor oil group had amniotic fluid mixed with meconium. – Research Gate.
We also had a quote from Tommy's:
“We don’t have enough evidence to show that castor oil is an effective or safe way to induce labour. Consuming castor oil can also have negative side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea, so we don’t advise women to self-medicate with castor oil to try to induce labour.” Kate Pinney, Tommy’s midwife
What is meconium?
When your baby is born, their first poop is pretty gross. It's a very, very dark shade of green and looks like tar. When you take castor oil, theoretically, there's a risk that the severe cramping it can cause will cause your baby to poop inside you.
This can lead to meconium aspiration syndrome – also known as neonatal meconium aspiration, and it can be very serious. This can happen when a baby ingests amniotic fluid after pooping and then tries to breathe at birth, causing aspiration (inhaling the poop).
Safe Alternatives to Induce Labor
If you are looking for safe and natural methods to induce labor, there are several options that are recommended by health professionals. Here are some alternatives:
- Physical activity : Walking, dancing, or doing prenatal yoga can help stimulate the uterus and encourage labor.
- The birth ball : Using a birthing ball can help position the baby correctly and put gentle pressure on the cervix.
- Sexual intercourse : Prostaglandins in semen and orgasmic contractions can help induce labor.
- Massages and acupuncture : Certain prenatal massage techniques and acupuncture can stimulate pressure points that encourage labor.
- Herbal teas : Certain herbal teas, such as raspberry leaf tea, are known to prepare the uterus for childbirth.
Always talk to your midwife or doctor before trying any induction methods to ensure the safety of you and your baby.
Conclusion ?
After speaking with Tommy's, we advise expectant mothers to avoid castor oil altogether. There is not enough evidence of its benefits, not enough evidence that it is safe, and there are potential risks. Keep moving, use your birthing ball, and most importantly, talk to your midwife.
I love you all and wish you the best for your pregnancies!
You can also read my concerns about my first pregnancy by clicking here.
