Comparing the Effect of Boiled Anethum graveolens Seed with Oxytocin on the Duration of Labor and Pain in Iranian Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Aim(s): To advance birth and avoid prolonged labor, oxytocin is routinely used globally. However there are a number of side-effects in this therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of boiled Anethum graveolens seed on the duration and intensity of labor pain in comparison to oxytocin. Materials & Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on ۸۸ pregnant women admitted to the birth center of Imam Sajjad, Yasuj hospital, Iran in ۲۰۱۵-۲۰۱۶. The subjects were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly allocated to Anethum graveolens (n=۴۱) and oxytocin (n=۴۷) groups. In Anethum graveolens group, ۱۰gr of Anethum graveolens seed was boiled in ۱۰۰ml of water for ۱۰ minutes and, after filtration, was given to participants to swallow at the start of active labor. In oxytocin group, ۱۰ units of oxytocin in ۱۰۰۰ml of Ringer’s solution was diluted and administered by infusion when the contractions were established. Data were analyzed by SPSS ۲۱ software using chi square, Mann-Whitney U and independent t test. Findings: Labor was shorter in the first, second and third stages in Anethum graveolens group compared to oxytocin group. However there was a significant difference only in the ۱st stage of labor (p<۰.۰۰۱). The dilatation and effacement scores improved in Anethum graveolens group than the oxytocin group (p<۰.۰۵) at one, two, three, and four hours of continuous intervention. Conclusion: Using boiled Anethum graveolens seed can be effective in reducing the length of labor and improving dilatation and effacement during birth.

Keywords:

dill seeds , oxytocin , labor , pain