Castor Oil Side Effects from Using Castor Oil to Induce Labor
The side effects from using castor oil to induce labor result from the laxative properties of the oil. If you do not exceed the recommended dose, the side effects are likely to be minimal. The side effects of using castor oil to give birth can include the following conditions:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps
- Decreased urination
- Dehydration
Cramping in the intestines is a sign that the castor oil is working, and uterine contractions should start soon after abdominal cramps are first experienced. If you do experience diarrhea when using castor oil to induce labor, you should keep your fluid intake high to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Some women are concerned that using castor oil to induce labor will see their baby suffer the same side effects from the oil. Castor oil, however, is passed from the gut during normal bowel movements and the oil does not enter the mother’s blood stream, so cannot be passed from mother to baby.
How to Use Castor Oil to Induce Labor
If you want to safely use castor oil to induce labor, the typical dose is 2-4 fl oz mixed with orange juice, taken every 12 hours. At this dosage, the oil should be effective and any side effects should be kept to a minimum.
If the recommended dosage is not exceeded when you use castor oil to induce labor – and you do not use the oil before you have reached 39 or 40 weeks of pregnancy – it is one of the best and safest natural ways to induce labor. Many mothers swear by how easy it is to use castor oil to induce labor, with contractions generally starting in just a few hours.
Using Evening Primrose Oil to Induce Labor
One of the most popular alternatives to castor oil to start the birth process is evening primrose oil. Using evening primrose oil to induce labor makes sense, as the oil contains prostaglandins and gamma-linolenic acid, both of which can cause softening of the cervix, which encourages the start of the birth process. Doctors sometimes recommend evening primrose oil to induce labor when women have reached full-term as a natural way to start the birth process. Unfortunately, there is little evidence to suggest that using evening primrose oil to induce labor is particularly effective. For quick results, it is best to use castor oil to induce labor.
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