Comparison of the Effect of Vaginal Capsule of Evening Primrose Oil and Misoprostol on Cervical Ripening of Nulliparous Women with Post-term Pregnancy

Abstract

Background and Objective: Post-term pregnancy (gestational age of ≥294 days [≥42 weeks] is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. The present study was conducted to compare the effect of vaginal capsule of evening primrose oil and misoprostol on cervical ripening of nulliparous women with post-term pregnancy.
 Materials and Methods: This research has been conducted with the one-blind randomized trial method on 130 pregnant women with post-term pregnancy visiting to the labor ward of sanandaj Besat Hospital. Samples were divided into two groups of intervention and control with the randomized allocation method. The intervention group receiving 500 mgvaginal evening primrose capsule and 25 micrograms of sublingual misoprostol, and the control group receiving a placebo-vaginal capsule and 25 micrograms of misoprostol sublingually. Data collecting tools include: demographic specifications questionnaire and Bishop Checklist. Data was analyzed through SPSS software version 21 and by using Chi-square, T-test, covariance analysis, one-way ANOVA, and repeated measures. P <0.05 was considered significant.
 Results: The results showed that the mean Bishope scores of the subjects in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group (p <0.05). There was no significant difference in uterine contractions, fetal heart rate and vital signs between two groups (p> 0.05).
 Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that vaginal capsule of evening primrose oil is effective on the rate of cervical ripening in post-term pregnancies. Also, no significant effect on was observed on fetal heart rate, uterine contractions, and vital signs of the mother.