castor oil

[emilye_03]

okay so there has been a lot of dispute about whether drinking castor oil to get labor started is safe for baby or not? i want a doctor's opinion which is why im posting in this forum. some say it could cause baby to have a bowel movement inside causing infection, while others say it won't effect baby at all, just mom. i know its a laxative and makes you have bowl movements which can cause dehydration and diarrhea. i was just hoping someone could clear up the confusion as to whether it effects baby or not. thanks.

[kentaria]

Hi ,I Found Out I Was Pregnant 4/15/13 . I have irregular periods and im not sure who is the father .Ive had sex 10/29/12 -11/4/12 then round april I was with someone else .im not sure at all and my due date was December 25 , 2013 . The information I got was I ovalated 4/3/2013 and last menstrual estimate 3/20/13 . Then ,conception 3/30/2013-4/7/2013 '. Idk what to do .my baby is now 3 months

[stephy101115]

Worked for me!!!!!

[EGattuso]

Sorry i meant to say i did it 24 hours later i had my son. Whether its a coincidence or not it taste horrible

[EGattuso]

i

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
If you were my patient, I would advise you that castor oil doesn't get absorbed by the mom--it just goes straight on through.  Because it doesn't get absorbed into the mother's blood stream, it doesn't affect the baby.  It probably also doesn't do much in terms of starting labor--just cleans out mom's GI tract.
Good luck!
Dr B

[emilye_03]

thank you!

[busymomma33]

I am not a dr. but I am now expecting baby #4 & I have tried the castor oil at the end of my last 2 pregnancies & it didnt do anything but taste nasty.....I say don't waist your $. Baby will come when baby wants to come. Best of luck!