Castor oil for labor induction, is it effective?

Castor oil is best known as a laxative. However, not only that, it turns out that castor oil can also help induce labor. Although there is still little evidence about this, some people already believe in the benefits of this one castor oil. However, is castor oil really effective for labor induction? Check out the answer here.

Get to know castor oil

Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid which other plants rarely have. This content makes castor oil has many medicinal benefits, such as constipation, skin infections or disorders, pain and inflammation, and stimulates the immune system.

In addition, castor oil can also be used for non-medical applications including:

As a mold inhibitor, food additive, and flavoring agent.
As an additional ingredient for skin care and cosmetic products such as shampoo, soap and lipstick.
Used in the manufacture of items such as plastics, fibers, or paints.

Castor oil has a strong odor and is known for its unpleasant taste. The side effects of castor oil can be annoying and even dangerous, ranging from nausea to severe dehydration.

Is castor oil effective for labor induction?

Castor oil can stimulate peristalsis in the intestines, which can irritate the uterus, causing contractions. In addition, castor oil can also reduce the absorption of fluids in the small intestine. This can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and possibly contractions.

Castor oil may also promote the release of prostaglandin receptors, which causes cervical dilation. This is what makes castor oil useful for labor induction.

A study published in Alternative Therapies of Health and Medicine reported that more than half of the study's respondents who were given castor oil went into labor before 24 hours, compared to just 4 percent who started labor in the same time frame without any prompting.

Another, larger study, published nearly 10 years later, reported that castor oil was not very helpful in inducing labor.

Castor oil can be used for labor induction, but it is not very effective. When effective, castor oil can cause irregular and painful contractions, which can stress both mother and baby. This can lead to fatigue and dehydration (due to persistent vomiting). It also causes your baby to experience meconium or the first baby feces mixed with amniotic fluid, before giving birth. This can cause health problems after birth.

If you want to try castor oil for your labor induction, you should discuss it with your doctor first. The doctor will suggest this according to your health condition or pregnancy as well as the risk factors associated with your pregnancy.

When is labor induction necessary?

According to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Labor induction is a medical decision made for the safety of you and your baby. Labor induction is not always necessary. There are various conditions that require you to induce labor.

Some of the conditions that make labor induction necessary include:

Your pregnancy is past the due date which should be almost 2 weeks and you are showing no signs of giving birth. A gestation that is longer than 42 weeks puts you at greater risk for various problems, such as stillbirths.
The amniotic sac has ruptured but you are not experiencing contractions. Induction is needed to reduce the risk of infection in your uterus or baby. However, the doctor also looks at your gestational age and whether your baby is ready to be born or not. If the baby is very premature, the doctor may not do labor induction.
You have an infection of the uterus or chorioamnionitis.
The baby in the womb has stopped growing.
Little or insufficient amniotic fluid surrounds the baby (oligohydramnios).
You have placental abruption.
You have a medical condition that puts you and your baby at risk, such as hypertension, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes.