TY - JOUR T1 - Evaluation of the effect of castor oil on initiating labor in term pregnancy JF - Saudi Medical Journal JO - Saudi Med J SP - 1011 LP - 1014 VL - 27 IS - 7 AU - Sedighe Azhari AU - Sohaylla Pirdadeh AU - Marzieh Lotfalizadeh AU - Mohammad T. Shakeri Y1 - 2006/07/01 UR - http://smj.org.sa/content/27/7/1011.abstract N2 - 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).CONCLUSION: 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. ER -