Is It Safe to Use Castor Oil to Induce Labor?

When I was pregnant with my second, I felt bigger faster. I was so over it toward the end of my third trimester—I would’ve done just about anything to get the baby show on the road.

Suffice it to say, I can understand the temptation to drink castor oil to get things moving. And some parents swear by it: “I have a castor oil baby,” shares Stheffanie B., a mom of four in New York. “She came fast and furious!”

But according to Dr. David Ghozland, MD, an ob-gyn in Southern California, taking castor oil during pregnancy comes with potential consequences. “Castor oil trades pregnancy discomfort for worse GI suffering on top of other possible complications without any guarantee of actually starting labor,” he says. “Why gamble with your health and baby’s?”

Castor oil is frequently touted online as a way to kickstart labor. But does it actually work—and, more importantly, is it even safe to use castor oil to induce labor? Here’s what to know before you consider trying it.

Key Takeaways

• Castor oil may help trigger contractions. Some studies suggest it can stimulate labor in certain full-term pregnancies, but results are mixed and it doesn’t work for everyone.
• Castor oil’s effects start in the gut. Castor oil acts as a strong laxative, which may indirectly trigger contractions.
• Side effects can be intense. Nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea are common—and can leave you dehydrated and exhausted before labor even begins.
• Castor oil to induce labor isn’t routinely recommended. Major medical organizations advise against using castor oil for labor induction due to limited and inconsistent evidence.
• Talk to your provider first. Your doctor or midwife can help you weigh the risks and decide what’s appropriate for your pregnancy.

What Is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is a vegetable oil made from a plant called Ricinus communis. While it’s often used as an additive in foods, skin-care products and other manufactured goods like plastics and paint, it’s mostly known for its laxative effects; in fact, its only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved use is to treat constipation.

That effect is exactly why it sometimes comes up in conversations about labor induction. “Castor oil almost always triggers severe gastrointestinal distress. The symptoms typically include intense abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and explosive diarrhea that starts within two to six hours of ingestion,” explains Dr. Ghozland.

Can Castor Oil Induce Labor?

Castor oil may help stimulate labor—but the evidence is mixed. According to Dr. Kecia Gaither, MD, associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, castor oil may promote the release of prostaglandins, hormones that trigger uterine contractions that cause cervical effacement and dilation—two key processes in the lead up to labor.

Some parents report that it works quickly. “I did it for my second—four hours in, I was in labor and baby came two hours later without any issues,” recalls Elizabeth D., a mom of two in New York.

There’s some research to support this, but it’s far from definitive. A 2022 review of eight clinical trials found that six showed a positive association between castor oil and labor induction. However, other research—including a small 2013 study—found no meaningful difference between castor oil and a placebo in preparing the cervix for labor.

Dr. Ghozland adds that the data is limited and inconsistent, and it’s not possible to predict if (or how) your body will respond to castor oil.

Bottom line? “It works better if your body and baby are ready for the birth to happen,” says Melissa Dean, CPM, midwife and founder of Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Is Taking Castor Oil Safe During Pregnancy?

While some studies suggest castor oil may help speed up labor, that doesn’t mean it’s always safe to use. Dean cautions against trying it before your due date, as it could increase the risk of preterm labor. She adds that it shouldn’t be used at all before you reach early term at 37 weeks.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Taking Castor Oil to Induce Labor?

Dean says that because castor oil can cause diarrhea and sometimes vomiting, taking it can increase the risk of dehydration—sometimes severely—which may lead to irregular labor patterns and even slow the process.

Castor oil could affect baby’s GI system too, adds Dean. “[It’s possible] that castor oil can stimulate baby to have a bowel movement before birth, which causes meconium-stained fluid that can cause problems for babies after birth,” she says. This is also known as meconium aspiration syndrome, and while most newborns recover with proper care, it can lead to breathing difficulties and respiratory infection.

What to Know If You Choose to Try Castor Oil to Induce Labor

Again, many providers will flat-out tell you to avoid using castor oil to induce labor altogether, while others may be open to the idea if it’s done safely and appropriately.

If you’re thinking about using castor oil for labor, it’s best to talk to your provider first. If you get the green light, keep in mind that experiences can vary widely—and even when it seems to work, the process isn’t always straightforward. Here’s what experts what you to keep in mind.

Castor oil dosage

Some providers suggest taking a full 3-ounce dose at once—sometimes called a “labor cocktail.”

The full dose may mean a faster onset of both contractions and side effects, including nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. “These side effects are stronger in some people more than others, depending on your overall digestion,” says midwife Dean, “and if you have an irritable bowel, you’re likely to have stronger side effects.”

For this reason, Dean prefers a more gradual approach. “If my clients want to try castor oil, and we’ve discussed the risks and benefits of doing so, then I usually suggest spacing the 3-ounce dose out to see if possibly a lower dose will work for them,” she explains.

You can mix smaller amounts into food and space them out over time. Dean notes that labor, if it starts, typically begins within four to six hours. But she cautions against continuing if labor doesn’t begin after a few attempts.

When to reach out to your doctor

Castor oil should move through your system fairly quickly, but if you’re still experiencing symptoms after 24 hours—or can’t keep food or water down—Dean says it’s time to contact your provider or seek medical attention.

“When you take castor oil at home, nobody’s tracking your vital signs, checking fetal heart tones or assessing how dehydrated you’re becoming from hours of vomiting and diarrhea,” points out Dr. Ghozland.

If castor oil does trigger labor, it’s important to know what to watch for. Call your provider or head to the hospital if your contractions become stronger, more frequent or are less than five minutes apart for at least an hour.

While castor oil may have some labor-inducing effects, many experts say the risks can outweigh the benefits.

Real Moms on Taking Castor Oil to Induce Labor

Most doctors don’t recommend it, but that doesn’t mean some pregnant women haven’t turned to castor oil to get things going. Here’s what three moms in The Bump community have to say about taking castor oil to induce labor.

• “You’ll get a lot of different answers. There are people on both sides of this issue. I took it when I was 40 weeks 3 days. I’m convinced it made my labor miserable, but it did put me into labor. My water broke 45 minutes after drinking it! I’d never take it before I was overdue—never! I’d say it wasn’t worth it to do it again. I certainly won’t be doing it with this pregnancy. My contractions were horrific and I was convinced that I was needing to go to the bathroom throughout labor.” - workinmom
• “I tried it—for pooping purposes a few days before being induced. I was already dilated at a 4 and 80 percent effaced and was really constipated (TMI, I know!). It was the only thing in the house and we live 30 minutes from town. I drank a few tablespoons with Kool-Aid. Bleh! Nothing happened. I didn’t get sick. I didn’t get cramps. I didn’t have the baby. I still had to poo. It wasn’t that bad though. Needless to say, I was very ready for the baby to come and my body was too, but castor oil didn’t work.” -MrsPreK
• “When I was pregnant my doctor and I talked about it, she said it’s not worth the headache! I would definitely get diarrhea and may go into labor with diarrhea. It didn’t sound like fun, so I skipped it!" - ChadsBride6504

Safe Alternatives to Castor Oil to Help Induce Labor

If you’re getting close to your due date and hoping to help labor move along naturally, there are a few methods your provider may suggest. These include:

• Nipple stimulation
• Sex
• Walking and curb walking
• Acupuncture/ acupressure
• Drinking red raspberry leaf tea
• Eating dates

Of course, while these approaches may help encourage your body to move things along, evidence on their effectiveness is limited.

More often, providers focus on medical or clinically supported options when induction is necessary. Depending on your situation, this may include membrane sweeping, medications to help ripen the cervix or other forms of monitored induction.

Ultimately, the safest and most effective way to approach labor induction is to work closely with your provider, who can help you weigh your options based on your pregnancy and overall health.

To Sum It Up

Castor oil is often talked about as a natural way to induce labor, but it’s not quite that simple. While it may help trigger contractions, it doesn’t work for everyone. What’s more predictable are the side effects of castor oil. And because it acts as a powerful laxative, it can cause intense symptoms like cramping, nausea and diarrhea, sometimes leaving you dehydrated and exhausted before labor even starts.

So while the idea of doing something to get things moving can be tempting, especially at the end of pregnancy, it’s not always the best choice. The safest next step is to talk to your provider, who can help you understand your options—and figure out whether your body’s actually ready for labor.

How We Developed This Article

This article was first published in March 2024, and updated in March 2026. We spoke with two ob-gyns as well as a midwife to learn more about the safety of using castor oil to induce pregnancy. We also found research through various medical and academic sources, including Cleveland Clinic and the Journal of Pharmacopuncture. We spoke to two moms about their experiences using castor oil to trigger labor. Finally, this article was fact-checked and medically reviewed through our thorough editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Christine Carpenter knows what it’s like to feel pregnant for an eternity—and, while she didn’t personally, try castor oil to induce labor, she did turn to other “natural” methods. The good news? Labor did eventually kick in, and she’s now a proud mom of two little boys. As a storyteller and freelance writer, Christine uses her craft to connect with and support other women in pregnancy and parenthood…

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.