Assessment of the Effect of Sisymbrium Consumption on Spontaneous Labor in Nulipars

Background: Post-term pregnancy is one of the important problems in obstetrics which
increases the rate of cesarean in addition to several complications for mother and fetus. Some
reports have shown that these problems less occurred in women who use herbal medicine like
sysembrium and they also have more successful vaginal delivery than others. The goal of this study
was to assess the effect of sisymbrium consumption on spontaneous labor in nulipars.
Materials and Methods: In this double blind controlled clinical trial, 85 pregnant women who
referrers to the health care center were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to receive 28
sachets of 5gr sisymbrium (to use from 37th week of pregnancy) or no treatment. The data gathered
using a questionnaire which was completed by trained midwives.
Results: There was no significant difference between the intervention group and control group in
the spontaneous beginning of their pains (p=0.29), but the induction of labor, the doctor's
introduction for induction (p=0.043), cesarean rate (p=0.032) were higher in the non-intervention
group. Whereas the Bishop's score (p=0.003), dilatation (p=0.00) and cervix effacement (p=0.008)
were higher in intervention group.
Conclusion: This study showed that the probable effects of sisymbrium in the parturition process
increase the probability of vaginal delivery. Since there is no contraindication for sisymbrium use
during pregnancy, it is recommended that the pregnant women consume it in order to facilitate
labor.