The Effect of Edible Rose Water on Bishop Score and Spontaneous Onset of Labor in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Midwifery, Geriatric Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

3 Instructor, Department of Midwifery, Geriatric Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Traditional Medicine, Clinical Research Development Unit, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2025.84486.6289

Abstract

Introduction: Unripe cervix causes prolonged labor stages and adverse effects on the mother and baby, and rose water, as a traditional and low-cost medicine, may be able to help the preparation of the cervix in pregnant women. This study was conducted with aim to investigate the effect of edible rose water on cervical preparation and spontaneous onset of labor in primiparous women referred to Zarand maternity hospitals.
Methods: This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2022 on 120 primiparous women with a gestational age of 38-40 weeks in Zarand City. The samples were allocated to two groups of 60 people, intervention and control. The intervention group was given rose water and the control group was given colorless and odorless water. Bishop score was measured before the start of the intervention and on the seventh day and when entering labor for delivery. Data analysis was done using SPSS software (version 24) and two-sample independent t-test, repeated measure ANOVA, chi-square, and Fisher's exact test. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: In general, (without considering the evaluation times), the mean of all three measurement times of the Bishop score of women in the intervention group was slightly higher than that of the control group. However, the mean of the revised Bishop score in the intervention group was 4.76±1.64 and in the control group was 4.00±1.02 (P=0.119). Also, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the onset of labor (P=0.453).
Conclusion: Consumption of 10 ml of oral rose water with a concentration of 24±2% did not affect the preparation of the cervix of primiparous women and had no side effects.

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Main Subjects

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 28, Issue 6
August 2025
Pages 66-77

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