Attention any expecting mom's getting close to your due date!! I have multiple pregnancy apps, and…

Attention any expecting mom's getting close to your due date!! I have multiple pregnancy apps, and on one is an L&D nurse. We've had many posts concerning Castor Oil, and how it may induce labor. if you plan on trying to self induce, PLEASE READ. Here is what she said concerning it:

"I work on L&D and I am very close with many of the OB's. I have also seen plenty of things first hand and I can tell you I am one of "those" that are against the use of castor oil to induce labor.

The first thing I always hear (or see) people say (or type) is how the use of castor oil can or cant cause baby to release meconium in the womb and inhale it causing respiratory distress or infection. There has been some research that suggests castor oil does not cross the placenta therefore does not cause baby to release meconium. There are also contradicting studies that show it may. EITHER way- meconium inhalation is NOT the biggest risk associated with castor oil, it is actually the smallest risk.

The top 3 risks are.....

1. Fetal distress by way of abnormally intense contractions. (In some Infants normal/natural contractions cause fetal distress, now imagine an infant who would have been under distress with normal contractions enduring stronger contractions that are more unpredictable and often enough become more frequent at an earlier stage of labor.)

2. Fetal distress caused by the numerous but normal side effects of castor oil. (In a healthy adult these side effects are normally harmless and unnoticeable and cause your body minimal distress) however during pregnancy, hormones are generally released at higher levels and are more unpredictable. So when your body is physically or mentally stressed it releases higher levels of the "stress hormone" and it passes to baby relatively quickly. High levels of this hormone are often found in the amniotic fluid and placenta of mothers who have taken castor oil. These levels are often consistent with or higher than mothers who have suffered with severe anxiety and/or depression their ENTIRE pregnancy.

3. Fetal distress caused by dehydration. Even if you are trying to keep yourself hydrated castor oil causes dehydration which is usually the cause of the initial, light and sometimes unnoticed contractions that then progress into full painful contractions.

Of course this is not a complete list of possible complications and occasionally there are even unforeseen complications.

Fetal distress itself has been proven to cause baby to release meconium so the argument of castor oil crossing/not crossing the placenta is effectively irrelevant for this particular use.

It is also recommended that pregnant women do NOT take this medication regardless of how far along they may be.

I would advise anyone considering the use of castor oil to re-think this decision and to seek medical advice and when needed a second opinion. I don't care how many mothers have had "success" there ARE risks involved so please do not put your babies at risk no matter how tired you are or how much pain you are in. I would not risk my child's health for something unnecessary even if the risk for complications was only 2%."