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Childbirth

yah or nah to castor oil? and 40 + 4 and desperate!!!

16 replies

mmmmchocolate · 16/10/2006 21:17

tried walking, swimming, sex, pineapple.

been hosp today, only 1.5 cm dilated and but having regular tightnings every 3/4 mins. but not painful at all.

should i do it?

OP posts:

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lulumama · 16/10/2006 21:19

no - you will have raging diarrhea and cramps....things are definitely moving.....you just have to be patient!!!!!!!

have some more sex....and sit on a gym ball if you have one, get baby's head right down

visualise your cervix opening and baby coming....

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Kidstrack · 16/10/2006 21:20

NOOOOO my mum done this in one of her 6 pregnancies, she had a terrible time sitting on the toilet during labour

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SCARErenity · 16/10/2006 21:22

BF tried it and it gave her violent diarrhea (sp?) but didn't do anything to kickstart labour. She also had to go through the embarrassment of getting someone else to buy her castor oil 'fix' for her as the chemist refused to sell it to her They said it was obvious what she wanted it for and they would be irresponsible to sell it to her, lol.

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kdinas · 16/10/2006 21:23

I would say that if you are starting to dilate, and have regular tightenings, then it is better to leave it.
Castor oil will only give you the squits, and could just make you feel dehydrated.
"Only" 1.5 cm is a start, so that is good.
Ifit was me I would concentrate on making sure baby is in good position, and on getting some rest. You have plenty of time, although I do understand your frustation!
Good luck!

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Emskilou · 16/10/2006 21:23

Don't do it, severe bum gravy (sorry if tmi } and possible vomiting (did with me anyway) soooooooooooo not worth it, things are moving just let it carry on naturally.

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Olihan · 16/10/2006 21:24

DON'T DO IT!!!! It's more likely to give you a really bad upset stomach - not what you need if you do go into labour!!

Have you tried nipple stimulation? One nipple at a time, alternating sides for up to an hour at a time? I found it worked best using a breast pump - it brought on quite strong contractions for me and meant I was 3 - 4 cms dilated when I did eventually go into labour ( via induction, but it was 3 hours from start to finish!)

FWIW, my mw said sex is only effective if you do it 3 or 4 times a day, otherwise you don't get enough prostaglandins up 'there' to make any difference!

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hester · 16/10/2006 21:24

Just say no! It's bad enough having contractions without adding the sqits...

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xena · 16/10/2006 21:26

noooooo you don't want the embarrasment (as it sounds if you are in labour) of your bowels opening every two minutes

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Glassofslime · 16/10/2006 21:27

No, I tried all the same as you and was two weeks late, the last thing I tried was reflexology not sure if it worked or not. Sex wasn't much fun though

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Lio · 16/10/2006 21:28

I did it and had the raging squits BUT (luckily) it finished as labour started. In fact, I thought the first few contractions were stomach ache before next squit outburst. Can't be sure whether or not it was responsible, but labour started pretty soon after I took it...

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MeAndMyBoy · 16/10/2006 21:30

No!!!!!!!

Sex though that worked for me when I was at the same point as you.

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mmmmchocolate · 16/10/2006 21:32

so tempted but know i should wait!!! not got next app till next monday so if induced it won't be for 2 weeks prob... so fed up!!!!

OP posts:

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sweetkitty · 16/10/2006 21:40

Nothing worked for me either.

Try booking a haircut/manicure/pedicure/massage/nice meal out for next week chances are baby will put in an appearance before then and if not at least you will enjoy yourself and be looking good

you have my sympathies

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largegingerpsychoandtonic · 16/10/2006 21:59

Caulophyllum a homeopathic remedy is great, especially if you dont have much caffeine in your diet. Beware though ive given it to two friends and one had the baby at home in less than an hour totally unplanned. The other almost had hers in the hosp car park. Mine arrived in 40 minutes at home, planned though.
It may not actually put you in to labour if your body is not ready but will make your body work very efficiently when it is ready. Not sure i will take it this time.....

Good luck!

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impatientfirsttimer · 16/10/2006 22:53

I'm one day behind you and appreciate the frustration but I don't think castor oil will help. Clary sage oil seems to be making my tightenings stronger, but then the buggers go off again and I'm back to square one (doh!)

Wouldn't fancy having explosive diarrhea during labour though - which is what castor oil tends to do. And lovely bowel cramps to go along with the labour cramps too. Nice combination.

Having cut my lips from eating too much pineapple, hurt my hips from trying to jump on husband and fallen off my birth ball twice in the past week, I'm convinced that nothing works except time. But hey you are at least a bit dilated. No-one has even bothered to have a look to see how I'm doing yet!!!

I have been told laughter is good though because it producing oxytocin so have been reading the postings on here about pooping during labour which are v. funny (although I did pee myself at one point and husband got all overexcited thinking my waters had broken (sorry if TMI)).