Introduction: Today, Cesarean section is the most common obstetric surgery. In the past 20 years, its rate has been increased from 5% to 20%. Unintended consequences in cesarean section are more than in vaginal delivery; especially for mother. The experiences have shown that the women who had consumed sisymbrium during their gestational had more successful vaginal delivery. The goal of this study is to determine the effect of sisymbrium seeds consumption at the end of pregnancy on the rate of cesarean delivery and Apgar score.
Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was held on 68 eligible nulliparous women who referred to the Health Care Centers of the Rafsanjan city. Individuals were randomly located into case and control groups. 28 packets which contained 2mesghal (equal to about 5 grams) of sisymbrium – seeds were given to the case group from 37th week. Two-sectional questionnaire was used for data collection. Some parts were filled in seven Health Centers of Rafsanjan City and the rest was completed in the maternity by the trained midwives. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software version 16, independent T and chi-square tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: According to the results, duration of first stage in labor (p=0.022) and cesarean rate (p=0.032) was significantly less in intervention group while spontaneous labor was more. But this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.29). Apgar score in the first (p=0.39) and the fifth minute (p=1) and intrauterine passage of meconium (p=0.53) didn’t have any significant difference in two groups.
Conclusion: Sisymbrium- seeds affect the parturition process by ripening cervix without increasing cesarean delivery or decrease of neonatal Apgar.