Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Castor Oil?Can It Induce Labor?How Does It Work?Risks and Side EffectsShould You Induce?Other Ways to Induce Labor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Castor Oil?
Can It Induce Labor?
How Does It Work?
Risks and Side Effects
Should You Induce?
Other Ways to Induce Labor
Consuming castor oil to induce labor in pregnant people is a technique that’s historically been linked to the practice of midwifery (midwives).Castor oil is also medically approved for its use as a laxative.
urbazon/ Getty Images
Castor oilis a vegetable oil that comes from the seeds of the castor bean plant. It’s commonly used as a lubricant and also as alaxative, which is sometimes recommended totreat constipation.
Consuming large amounts of castor oil can be toxic.
Can Castor Oil Induce Labor?
Castor oil has been used traditionally to stimulate labor, particularly inmidwifery practice.However, current research is mixed on whether it is effective.
One study has shown that people who took castor oil to prompt labor gave birth vaginally without any maternal or fetal complications.Another study suggested that consuming castor oil at 40 to 41 weeks pregnant made it more likely to go into labor within 24 hours.
But in other research, ingesting castor oil did not appear to increase the chances of going into labor—and did not make a significant difference in the length of time it took to give birth.
Researchers have a few theories why castor oil may help stimulate labor.
It’s thought that castor oil’s laxative properties may be behind its potential labor-inducing effects. Because castor oil triggers bowel movements, it may also stimulatethe uterus, leading to contractions.
It’s also possible that castor oil prompts the production ofprostaglandins(hormones that help ripen the cervix for birth) and stimulates the onset of labor.
Risks, Dangers, and Potential Side Effects
Castor oil is considered to be generally safe for consumption when it’s used correctly. For adults, the usual dosing is 15 to 60 milliliters (mL) per day.
But consuming castor oil in high doses or for long periods can be poisonous and lead to side effects, including:
People who are pregnant should not take castor oil to induce labor unless their healthcare provider has recommended or approved it.
A Word From VerywellThere are several safe ways to induce labor. Midwives are trained to use castor oil, and physicians are trained to use medications. Both methods have been studied and appear safe for the appropriate patient.—ANDREA BRADEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
There are several safe ways to induce labor. Midwives are trained to use castor oil, and physicians are trained to use medications. Both methods have been studied and appear safe for the appropriate patient.—ANDREA BRADEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
There are several safe ways to induce labor. Midwives are trained to use castor oil, and physicians are trained to use medications. Both methods have been studied and appear safe for the appropriate patient.
—ANDREA BRADEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A healthcare provider may recommend a medicalinductionfor several different reasons. These include:
Induction may be recommended even if there are not any health risks. Research suggests that induction at 39 weeks of pregnancy in healthy people in their first full-term pregnancy can help lower the chances of having acesarean section(C-section). These deliveries come with risks during the surgery and certain increased risks for future pregnancies.
Other Ways to Induce Labor At Home
A few traditional techniques could potentially help induce labor, though more clinical evidence is needed before experts broadly recommend these methods.Anecdotally, these include:
Some experts have noted that exercise and nipple stimulation may be the most helpful methods to prompt labor. Having sex doesn’t appear to be as effective. And while acupuncture has been touted for inducing labor, available evidence doesn’t show that it increases vaginal delivery rates.
Summary
Castor oil is a natural laxative that’s also traditionally been used to induce labor. However, the evidence is mixed on whether it’s effective for labor induction. It’s important to know that castor oil can come with certain side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can be dangerous if consumed in doses that are larger than recommended.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Amerizadeh A, Farajzadegan Z, Asgary S.Effect and safety of castor oil on labor induction and prevalence of vaginal delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2022 Aug 9;27(4):251-259. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_7_21DeMaria AL, Sundstrom B, Moxley GE, et al.Castor oil as a natural alternative to labor induction: A retrospective descriptive study.Women Birth.2018;31(2):e99-e104. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2017.08.001MedlinePlus.Castor oil overdose.DailyMed.Label: castor oil liquid.Kelly AJ, Kavanagh J, Thomas J.Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 24;2013(7):CD003099. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003099Neri I, Dante G, Pignatti L, et al.Castor oil for induction of labour: a retrospective study.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(16):2105-2108. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1336223Boel ME, Lee SJ, Rijken MJ, et al.Castor oil for induction of labour: not harmful, not helpful.Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009;49(5):499-503. doi:10.1111/j.1479-828X.2009.01055.xMoradi M, Niazi A, Mazloumi E, Lopez V.Effect of castor oil on cervical ripening and labor induction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Pharmacopuncture. 2022;25(2):71-78. doi:10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.71Abd El-Gawad, S.Castor oil safety and effectiveness on labour induction and neonatal outcome.J Biol Agric Healthc.2014;4 1-10.MedlinePlus.Meconium aspiration syndrome.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.MedlinePlus.Premature rupture of membranes.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Induction of labor at 39 weeks.Carlson NS, Dunn Amore A, Ellis JA, et al.American college of nurse-midwives clinical bulletin number 18: Induction of labor.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2022 Jan;67(1):140-149. doi:10.1111/jmwh.13337Razali N, Mohd Nahwari SH, Sulaiman S, Hassan J.Date fruit consumption at term: Effect on length of gestation, labour and delivery.Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2017;37(5):595-600. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1283304Shojaei B, Loripoor M, Sheikhfathollahi M, Aminzadeh F.The effect of walking during late pregnancy on the outcomes of labor and delivery: A randomized clinical trial.J Educ Health Promot. 2021;10:277. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_1437_20Zhang WB, Wang GJ, Fuxe K.Classic and modern meridian studies: a review of low hydraulic resistance channels along meridians and their relevance for therapeutic effects in traditional Chinese medicine.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:410979. doi:10.1155/2015/410979Wheeler V, Hoffman A, Bybel M.Cervical ripening and induction of labor.Am Fam Physician.2022;105(2):177-186
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Amerizadeh A, Farajzadegan Z, Asgary S.Effect and safety of castor oil on labor induction and prevalence of vaginal delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2022 Aug 9;27(4):251-259. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_7_21DeMaria AL, Sundstrom B, Moxley GE, et al.Castor oil as a natural alternative to labor induction: A retrospective descriptive study.Women Birth.2018;31(2):e99-e104. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2017.08.001MedlinePlus.Castor oil overdose.DailyMed.Label: castor oil liquid.Kelly AJ, Kavanagh J, Thomas J.Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 24;2013(7):CD003099. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003099Neri I, Dante G, Pignatti L, et al.Castor oil for induction of labour: a retrospective study.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(16):2105-2108. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1336223Boel ME, Lee SJ, Rijken MJ, et al.Castor oil for induction of labour: not harmful, not helpful.Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009;49(5):499-503. doi:10.1111/j.1479-828X.2009.01055.xMoradi M, Niazi A, Mazloumi E, Lopez V.Effect of castor oil on cervical ripening and labor induction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Pharmacopuncture. 2022;25(2):71-78. doi:10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.71Abd El-Gawad, S.Castor oil safety and effectiveness on labour induction and neonatal outcome.J Biol Agric Healthc.2014;4 1-10.MedlinePlus.Meconium aspiration syndrome.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.MedlinePlus.Premature rupture of membranes.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Induction of labor at 39 weeks.Carlson NS, Dunn Amore A, Ellis JA, et al.American college of nurse-midwives clinical bulletin number 18: Induction of labor.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2022 Jan;67(1):140-149. doi:10.1111/jmwh.13337Razali N, Mohd Nahwari SH, Sulaiman S, Hassan J.Date fruit consumption at term: Effect on length of gestation, labour and delivery.Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2017;37(5):595-600. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1283304Shojaei B, Loripoor M, Sheikhfathollahi M, Aminzadeh F.The effect of walking during late pregnancy on the outcomes of labor and delivery: A randomized clinical trial.J Educ Health Promot. 2021;10:277. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_1437_20Zhang WB, Wang GJ, Fuxe K.Classic and modern meridian studies: a review of low hydraulic resistance channels along meridians and their relevance for therapeutic effects in traditional Chinese medicine.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:410979. doi:10.1155/2015/410979Wheeler V, Hoffman A, Bybel M.Cervical ripening and induction of labor.Am Fam Physician.2022;105(2):177-186
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Amerizadeh A, Farajzadegan Z, Asgary S.Effect and safety of castor oil on labor induction and prevalence of vaginal delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2022 Aug 9;27(4):251-259. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_7_21DeMaria AL, Sundstrom B, Moxley GE, et al.Castor oil as a natural alternative to labor induction: A retrospective descriptive study.Women Birth.2018;31(2):e99-e104. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2017.08.001MedlinePlus.Castor oil overdose.DailyMed.Label: castor oil liquid.Kelly AJ, Kavanagh J, Thomas J.Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 24;2013(7):CD003099. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003099Neri I, Dante G, Pignatti L, et al.Castor oil for induction of labour: a retrospective study.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(16):2105-2108. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1336223Boel ME, Lee SJ, Rijken MJ, et al.Castor oil for induction of labour: not harmful, not helpful.Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009;49(5):499-503. doi:10.1111/j.1479-828X.2009.01055.xMoradi M, Niazi A, Mazloumi E, Lopez V.Effect of castor oil on cervical ripening and labor induction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Pharmacopuncture. 2022;25(2):71-78. doi:10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.71Abd El-Gawad, S.Castor oil safety and effectiveness on labour induction and neonatal outcome.J Biol Agric Healthc.2014;4 1-10.MedlinePlus.Meconium aspiration syndrome.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.MedlinePlus.Premature rupture of membranes.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Induction of labor at 39 weeks.Carlson NS, Dunn Amore A, Ellis JA, et al.American college of nurse-midwives clinical bulletin number 18: Induction of labor.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2022 Jan;67(1):140-149. doi:10.1111/jmwh.13337Razali N, Mohd Nahwari SH, Sulaiman S, Hassan J.Date fruit consumption at term: Effect on length of gestation, labour and delivery.Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2017;37(5):595-600. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1283304Shojaei B, Loripoor M, Sheikhfathollahi M, Aminzadeh F.The effect of walking during late pregnancy on the outcomes of labor and delivery: A randomized clinical trial.J Educ Health Promot. 2021;10:277. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_1437_20Zhang WB, Wang GJ, Fuxe K.Classic and modern meridian studies: a review of low hydraulic resistance channels along meridians and their relevance for therapeutic effects in traditional Chinese medicine.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:410979. doi:10.1155/2015/410979Wheeler V, Hoffman A, Bybel M.Cervical ripening and induction of labor.Am Fam Physician.2022;105(2):177-186
Amerizadeh A, Farajzadegan Z, Asgary S.Effect and safety of castor oil on labor induction and prevalence of vaginal delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2022 Aug 9;27(4):251-259. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_7_21
DeMaria AL, Sundstrom B, Moxley GE, et al.Castor oil as a natural alternative to labor induction: A retrospective descriptive study.Women Birth.2018;31(2):e99-e104. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2017.08.001
MedlinePlus.Castor oil overdose.
DailyMed.Label: castor oil liquid.
Kelly AJ, Kavanagh J, Thomas J.Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 24;2013(7):CD003099. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003099
Neri I, Dante G, Pignatti L, et al.Castor oil for induction of labour: a retrospective study.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(16):2105-2108. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1336223
Boel ME, Lee SJ, Rijken MJ, et al.Castor oil for induction of labour: not harmful, not helpful.Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009;49(5):499-503. doi:10.1111/j.1479-828X.2009.01055.x
Moradi M, Niazi A, Mazloumi E, Lopez V.Effect of castor oil on cervical ripening and labor induction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Pharmacopuncture. 2022;25(2):71-78. doi:10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.71
Abd El-Gawad, S.Castor oil safety and effectiveness on labour induction and neonatal outcome.J Biol Agric Healthc.2014;4 1-10.
MedlinePlus.Meconium aspiration syndrome.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.
MedlinePlus.Premature rupture of membranes.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Induction of labor at 39 weeks.
Carlson NS, Dunn Amore A, Ellis JA, et al.American college of nurse-midwives clinical bulletin number 18: Induction of labor.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2022 Jan;67(1):140-149. doi:10.1111/jmwh.13337
Razali N, Mohd Nahwari SH, Sulaiman S, Hassan J.Date fruit consumption at term: Effect on length of gestation, labour and delivery.Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2017;37(5):595-600. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1283304
Shojaei B, Loripoor M, Sheikhfathollahi M, Aminzadeh F.The effect of walking during late pregnancy on the outcomes of labor and delivery: A randomized clinical trial.J Educ Health Promot. 2021;10:277. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_1437_20
Zhang WB, Wang GJ, Fuxe K.Classic and modern meridian studies: a review of low hydraulic resistance channels along meridians and their relevance for therapeutic effects in traditional Chinese medicine.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:410979. doi:10.1155/2015/410979
Wheeler V, Hoffman A, Bybel M.Cervical ripening and induction of labor.Am Fam Physician.2022;105(2):177-186
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