Inducing labor is easy these days because they've found and synthesized the hormone that's involved. If your doctor really wants it to happen, they can give Melissa a shot and it will start. But it's better to wait until it begins naturally.

By the way, the active ingredient in castor oil is ricin. The reason it does what it does is because ricin is a serious toxin and your body is trying to get rid of it before it can kill you.

I would not be inclined to give a toxin to a pregnant woman, even in small doses, no matter what all the old wives say.

...and whatever you do, don't accidentally use Castrol.

I tried it once, and every time I farted, it sounded like a two-stroke Yamaha 400.

Thanks for the, um, advice. I'll have to visit that site when our first is overdue and my wife starts up with the 'you did this to me, you rotten SOB' stuff.

Hope the little one decides to make an appearance soon.

I found the best way to induce labor is to do something away from your wife, out of the house, that requires you turn your cell phone to vibrate.

Then, halfway through said activity, your phone will vibe and your wife will be on the other end saying her water broke.

Works like a charm.

This is gonna hurt... disagreeing with SdB on a science point...

Ricin is water soluble, not oil soluble. Castor oil doesn't contain ricin in appreciable quantities. Or so I've read on the subject, anyhow.

Guaranteed to start the process....

Take a nice stroll around your local shopping mall.

Of course, this can be a little embarassing if her water breaks while in line at Orange Julius...

In 10+ years in retail, I have had 2 moms in the changing rooms that I had to call 911 for, and have assisted more than my share that have been wandering (waddling) around with a timer around their neck or wrist (or the grandma-to-be's).

In the link was a mention of prostaglandins, and their ability to induce labor. Our OBGYN suggested just that, however she advised they be taken orally.
{insert your own joke here}
Whether it helped or not is unknown, but Boy was born a few days after we started the course of action.

You know the article does mention other alternatives besides castor oil, sex being one of them.

From my experience, (our first was late) the best way to induce labour is to make the appointment for the drip. Contractions should begin the day before the appointment!

On the poison thing, while it's true that the Castor Bean plant is one of the most poisonous plants in the world (Ricin and RCA) modern (purified) castor oil is not poisonous, which is why it does nothing to induce labour. It does taste gross though, and will likely give you the trots.

It is, however, very good at preventing stretch marks when rubbed on the belly!

Sex works.

And it's fun.

We are on Baby #3. First baby was a week late and the second, two weeks early.

SEX is the answer. And like a previous post, a much more enjoyable alternative.

Wife went into labor with the first baby a few minutes after I took a seat in my 'other office', a (female) coworker had to find me.

Off topic, but I would like to send this Season's Greetings to all.....

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit my best wishes for
an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress,
non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice
holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious
persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with
respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of
others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions
at all... and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically
uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar
year 2005, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of
other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our world
great, and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical
ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual
preference of the wishee.

Try a big, loaded pizza. (There's one particular pizza place in my town that the midwives swear by. Any woman who's running "late" gets sent there before any other option is exercised.) Anecdotal, sure, but no risk other than pizza interruptus.

I mantain that showing a) a video of the birthing process and b) all the "natural" suggestions for easing birth to preteens will make teen pregnancy rates plummet.

Yikes.

Oy! You succumbed to the mythical castor oil inducement. That was bound to be nasty. I second sex as inducement. And walking, walking, walking. Of course I was nine days late and still had to go with pitocin and the doc breaking the water. The babe was clinging to my ribs when they went in to get her. Baby will come when ready. Mommy's feelings have no bearing, unfortunately.

On our second, we did a home birth with a midwife (highly recommend this course of action, BTW). Wife's water broke - no labor. Midwife was "meh, keep it clean down there, don't sweat it". 4 days later, she finally said "If you want a baby now, hook up to the breast pump on low for a while". Sure enough - BANG, baby.

Home births rule.

I don't see how Stephen ingesting castor oil would do anything to induce labor in his wife.

:)

Can'timagine anyone would want to induce MORE stomach cramps to induce labor. The birthing process is enough punishment.

Another good way to induce labor is for the father to be the high scorer in the first half of an NBA game.

I know this comment is superfluous since baby Preston is here but for future reference: raspberry leaf tea tastes A WHOLE LOT BETTER and is rumored to bring on the contractions whereas Castor oil starts your bowels moving (which may or may not bring on labor).

And, as other posters have mentioned, there's always nipple manipulation and sex.