Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06841939

Effectiveness of Castor Oil in Preventing Formal Induction of Labour in a Tertiary Institution

This study demonstrated that castor oil was effective in reducing the need for formal induction of labour and the administration-delivery interval with minimal maternal side-effects, at an initial dose of 30ml and single repeat dose of 30ml.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Castor Oil Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Pregnancy Complications Pregnancy, Prolonged Prolonged Pregnancy Urogenital Diseases

Age range

20 year–44 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital

Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, 480101, Nigeria

About this study

Background: Pregnancy extending beyond 42 week is attended by maternal and perinatal complication including death. It is the commonest reason for induction of labour. Various agents have been used to induce labour but it is not without maternal and fetal side effects. Alternative agents such as castor oil have been widely used in clinical practice for induction of labour without any concrete evidence of effectiveness.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of castor oil in the prevention of formal induction of labour amongst pregnant mothers at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki as well as to evaluate the possible maternal and fetal/ neonatal effects.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial among pregnant women at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki to verify the effectiveness of castor oil in the prevention of formal induction of labour at gestational ages between 41weeks and 0 days and 41 weeks and 2 days. One arm received 30ml of castor oil (Group A) and the other arm received 30ml of water (Group B). These doses were repeated once more after 24 hours if the patients failed to enter spontaneous labour. The data obtained was analyzed using IBM SPSS software (version 24, Chicago II, USA) and the intention to treat concept. A difference with a P value of ≤ 0.05 was taken to be of statistical significance.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Gestational age of 41weeks+0day to 41weeks+2days
  • Pregnancies with cephalic presenting fetuses
  • Pregnant women with singleton fetus
  • Absence of contraindications to vaginal delivery
  • Absence of uterine contraction
  • Bishop score ≤ 5
  • Ultrasound confirmed GA in early pregnancy

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant women in latent phase of labour
  • Preterm or term premature rupture of membrane
  • Antepartum haemorrhage
  • Previous Caesarean section and myomectomy
  • Multiple gestation
  • Medical disorders of pregnancy
  • Unsure date

Treatment and study plan

castor oil

Other

Participants recruited into this group had vaginal examinations conducted and it was confirmed that they were not in labour, Bishop's score was then documented. They were counselled to take 30 ml of castor oil under direct observation by the researcher and the time and date of administration documented. The participants' phone numbers and addresses were also recorded. Participants who fail to achieve labour within 24 hours had a repeat dose of 30 ml of castor oil.

Water

Other

Participants recruited into this group had vaginal examinations conducted and it was confirmed that they were not in labour, Bishop's score was then documented. They were counselled to take 30 ml of water under direct observation by the researcher and the time and date of administration documented. The participants' phone numbers and addresses were also recorded. Participants who fail to achieve labour within 24 hours had a repeat dose of 30 ml of water.

Primary outcomes

  1. formal Induction of labour

    Time frame: 24 hours

    proportion of women who had formal induction of labour

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Assumpta Nnenna Nweke

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Castor Oil in Preventing Formal Induction of Labour Among Pregnant Women at a Tertiary Institution in Abakaliki: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Feb 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.