How can castor oil harm my baby

Which should I choose? Authors Topics. Home Blogs Topics Intermountain Moms Dani Kurtz Oct 28, Facebook Twitter. Get help with a billing issue. Need help with financial assistance. Website feedback. Contact Intermountain. The time to birth was not significantly different between the two groups hazard ratio 0. Castor oil use was not associated with any harmful effects on the mother or fetus.

Conclusions: Castor oil for induction of labour had no effect on time to birth nor were there any harmful effects observed in this large series. Our findings leave no justification for recommending castor oil for this purpose. While some mothers report feeling the stirring of their intestines within an hour or two of using castor oil to induce labor, others are not affected.

As noted above, using castor oil may promote labor by stimulating contractions in the uterus, much like it does in the intestines and bowels. If you take castor oil, know that you're likely to experience some unpleasant side effects, as well as the unpalatable taste of the tonic.

The side effects of castor oil may include:. However, some studies do show that using castor oil for induction is a safe option that does not result in a higher prevalence of these complications. Still, care must be taken to avoid dehydration, which can be dangerous for laboring mothers. Plus, consider that the side effects of castor oil could deplete energy stores, making labor and delivery more difficult.

The vast majority of studies that have looked at castor oil for labor induction found no significant difference in the type of birth cesarean or vaginal or the length of labor.

The biggest risk was maternal tolerance, which means how well the mothers tolerated the castor oil. Additionally, as noted above, there is also a risk of dehydration if you have excessive vomiting or diarrhea. If so, be sure you are getting enough fluids either by drinking water or, if, in a hospital, you may get IV fluids, if needed.

Never attempt a castor oil induction without working with your practitioner. It is always wise to talk to your midwife or doctor about any induction method before using it. Additionally, induction before your due date is not a good idea if there is no medical reason. Plus, remember that even if you are a good candidate for induction, a castor oil induction may not be the best option for you. There are reports of having the baby within hours of a castor oil induction or the induction taking days if it works at all.

Of course, there are many of the same reports labor happening suddenly and quickly as well as delayed or prolonged labors from women who do not take castor oil. However, a five-year retrospective study found that low-risk pregnant women over 40 weeks gestation who were given castor oil were significantly more likely to go into labor within 24 hours than the control group.

When labor has yet to start and there is no medical reason to induce, the reasonable alternative recommendation to castor oil or using any interventions is to do nothing and simply wait for labor to begin on its own. If there is a medical need for induction of labor, there are many options available, including:. The decision to use one of these methods or a combination of them should be between you and your practitioner.

In the end, the medical literature on castor oil induction is unclear, and much of the evidence is anecdotal. If you are interested in trying this induction method, talk to your healthcare provider to ensure that there is no known reason for you to avoid it.

That said, chances are they may have a more efficacious induction method to offer if needed. Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Women Birth.