| As much as we would like to use natural labor | | | | level, resulting in contractions and labor. |
| inducing remedies to start labor as soon as 38 | | | | Castor Oil starts the diarrhea two to six hours |
| pregnancy weeks are full, it is good to remember | | | | after drinking the oil. The contractions should begin |
| that babies have their own calendar. Some babies | | | | shortly after that. Some midwives and mothers |
| will come at 38 weeks, and other times will need | | | | swear on this method and have repeatedly used |
| 42 weeks before they are ready. Thus, you are | | | | this to conclude an overdue pregnancy. Others |
| not overdue, or "postdates" as used | | | | feel it is not worth the discomfort. |
| by medical standards, until 42 weeks. | | | | After taking Castor Oil, the diarrhea is inevitable |
| Nowadays, it is more common to hear that you | | | | but it is usually over by the time you go into |
| are "overdue" even if your due date | | | | labor. One of the very possible side effects is that |
| was only yesterday! Your due date is only a very | | | | the severe diarrhea and cramping caused by |
| rough target date, that is why it is referred to as | | | | Castor Oil could dehydrate you. This could be a |
| EDD -- estimated due date. | | | | serious problem, especially if you are delivering in |
| However, if you are truly overdue and threatened | | | | a hospital where mothers are not allowed to drink |
| by medical induction, Castor Oil is one of the | | | | fluids during labor. The mother’s |
| natural labor inducing remedies that have been | | | | dehydration may be associated with a higher risk |
| used for quite a long time. Many women, who | | | | of the baby passing meconium -- his or her first |
| gave birth twenty or thirty years ago and whose | | | | stool -- into the amniotic fluid. If the baby inhales |
| labor was induced with Castor Oil, are now | | | | meconium-stained fluid before or during the birth, |
| passing the knowledge about this natural remedy | | | | it can cause severe illness for the baby. |
| to their daughters. | | | | Moreover, dehydration makes you tired and less |
| There are very few studies about using Castor | | | | able to endure physical activity. If you are |
| Oil for inducing labor naturally. One study published | | | | suffering from dehydration, this means that your |
| in Alternative Therapies (January 2000) reported | | | | uterus is dehydrated as well. Dehydration |
| that 58% of the mothers who were given Castor | | | | aggravates the uterus, which in turn causes more |
| Oil began labor in the specified period. | | | | pain for the mother. This might make you less |
| The theory behind this mechanism, in which | | | | able to handle natural childbirth, and puts you at |
| Castor Oil induces labor, is that the remedy | | | | increased risk for medical interventions. |
| causes diarrhea cramps by irritating the smooth | | | | Thus, if you induce labor with Castor Oil, you |
| muscles of the intestine. This irritation is passed to | | | | must remember the importance of keeping your |
| the uterus, which is a smooth muscle, as well. | | | | body hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. |
| Irritation of the uterus increases the prostaglandin | | | | |