The Effect of Evening Primrose Oil in Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor

Labor induction is one of the common clinical cases with a prevalence rate between 10% and 30%. Evening primrose is one of the most frequent herbal medications prescribed for cervical preparation, but its efficacy has not yet been established. This prospective interventional study (Randomized control trial) was conducted on low risk primigravida women with a gestational age (40 week ± 1week) & a Bishop score of less than four attending to Dar-Ismail Hospital & Alzahraa University Hospital Al-Azhar University during antenatal care (ANC). Population included were divided into 3 groups: Group 1: 50 pregnant women taking oral 1000 mg primrose oil capsule twice daily. Group 2: 50 pregnant women taking 1000mg capsule oral at morning & 1000mg capsule vaginal at night daily and Group 3: 50 pregnant women taking placebo (Vitamax multivitamin capsule) twice daily. All pregnant women take the capsules from the 39th week of pregnancy until onset of labor occur or 42 weeks of gestation.The basic demographic and clinical data including age, residence, gravidity, previous abortion and bleeding throughout the first two hours after birth had non-significant difference. However statistically significant difference was found regarding Bishop Score on admission to delivery, method of delivery, length of labor and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Evening primrose oil was found to have significant impact on bishop score and thereafter mode of delivery and duration of labor. The vaginal usage of Evening primrose oil with repeated doses has a substantial influence on the length of labor and was related with a higher Apgar score, taking into account the necessity for safe and healthy labor in the shortest amount of time, as well as enhancing neonatal outcomes. Evening primrose oil was found to have non-significant impact on Postpartum hemorrhage.