Are you at the end of your pregnancy and eagerly awaiting the arrival of your new baby? Feeling a little anxious at the thought of having a medical induction? You have probably trawled the Internet looking for natural ways to induce labor and have most likely come across castor oil to induce labor. Tempted to give it a go? Before you go out and get that bottle of castor oil read on and find out 'Does Castor Oil Induce Labor?'
Castor oil has been used to bring on labor as far back as the Egyptians. Why does castor oil induce labor? How castor oil works is poorly understood. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative. As is stimulates the bowels it also stimulates the digestive system and this in turn stimulates the uterus.
A study carried out by Garry et al in 2000 found that of 100 overdue women, 57.7 per cent began active labor after a single dose of 60ml of castor oil. There were no adverse side effects reported but all the women felt nauseous. Nausea is likely to be an immediate effect and this can be followed by diarrhea. This leads to an increased risk of dehydration. Because of the unpleasantness and risk involved this method of inducing labor is not highly recommended.
Based on research, the only proven method of effectively inducing labor naturally is by using maternity acupressure. This method works by stimulating specific points in the body. This causes the release of hormones, oxytocin and prostaglandins needed to start contractions and induce labor. By using acupressure to induce labor women went into labor more quickly, had a shorter labor period, reduced stress levels and reduced complications. This has been researched and published in Complementary Therapy and Medicine Journal, 2005.
Maternity acupressure has also been used as a means of relieving labor pain significantly. A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2004 revealed that by stimulating one single pressure point, labor pain was significantly reduced.
Castor oil has been used to bring on labor as far back as the Egyptians. Why does castor oil induce labor? How castor oil works is poorly understood. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative. As is stimulates the bowels it also stimulates the digestive system and this in turn stimulates the uterus.
A study carried out by Garry et al in 2000 found that of 100 overdue women, 57.7 per cent began active labor after a single dose of 60ml of castor oil. There were no adverse side effects reported but all the women felt nauseous. Nausea is likely to be an immediate effect and this can be followed by diarrhea. This leads to an increased risk of dehydration. Because of the unpleasantness and risk involved this method of inducing labor is not highly recommended.
Based on research, the only proven method of effectively inducing labor naturally is by using maternity acupressure. This method works by stimulating specific points in the body. This causes the release of hormones, oxytocin and prostaglandins needed to start contractions and induce labor. By using acupressure to induce labor women went into labor more quickly, had a shorter labor period, reduced stress levels and reduced complications. This has been researched and published in Complementary Therapy and Medicine Journal, 2005.
Maternity acupressure has also been used as a means of relieving labor pain significantly. A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2004 revealed that by stimulating one single pressure point, labor pain was significantly reduced.
Read a review of Easier, Shorter and Safer Birth using Maternity Acupressure by Dr. Lena Leno.
Start learning the techniques now with this easy to follow, step by step guide complete with illustrations. Click here to find out more.