Evaluation of the effect of castor oil on initiating labor in term pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of castor oil on initiating labor in term pregnant women.


METHODS
We conducted this randomized control clinical trial on 47 pregnant women from August 2003 to March 2004 in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.


RESULTS
There was a significant increase in labor initiation ratio in the castor oil group compared with the control group (54.2% compared with 4.3%, p<0.001). Also, the mean bishop score in the castor oil group increased from 2.50 +/- 1.29 to 6.79 +/- 3.20 (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The probability of labor initiation increases during the first 24 hours after using castor oil, however, further studies are recommended to improve its efficacy and safety.
Azhari
Sedighe
S
Department of Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery School, Khoramabad, Iran.
Pirdadeh
Sohaylla
S
Lotfalizadeh
Marzieh
M
Shakeri
Mohammad T
MT
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002368:Castor Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007745:Labor Onset / Q000187:drug effects*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D002368:Castor Oil