Does the Anastatica Hierochuntica plant shorten the duration of labour? A prospective observational study

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of Anastatica Hierochuntica L. on the duration of labour in primiparous women. Methods: A prospective, case-controlled study with an intervention (n=28) and control (n=29) group. Participants were not randomized; their preferences related to the use of the A. Hierochuntica L. determined the group in which they would be included. In the intervention group, Anastatica Hierochuntica L. was used by all women. Standard care continued for both the intervention and control group. The duration of the first and second stage of labour were evaluated and compared between groups. Results: Participants’ mean of age was 27.54 ± 4.52 (min. 20, max. 37) years and mean of gestational age was 39.63 ± 0.81 weeks. The mean duration of the second stage of labour was 28.42 ± 12.33 minutes for the Anastatica Hierochuntica L. group and 18.93 ± 10.48 minutes for the control group (p = 0.002). The total duration of labour was 221.50 ± 58.97 minutes for the intervention group and 193.13 ± 54.75 minutes for the control group. There were significant differences between the groups in the second stage and total duration of labour (p < 0.050). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of newborns’ mean birth weight, and the 1-and 5-minutes Apgar scores, and obstetric interventions. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that the Anastatica Hierochuntica L. had no effect on shortening the duration of labour.