The effect of oral consumption of honey saffron syrup on the delivery progress of nulliparous women

Assessment of progress of labor is a key primary healthcare during labor. The main goal of this assessment is to predict problems, such as abnormal progress of labor, so that the conditions of both mother and child could be improved using early interventions. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to effect of honey saffron syrup on the duration of labor of nulliparous women.

This single-blind clinical trial study was performed in 2019 on 126 nulliparous women referred to Beset Hospital in Sanandaj. Participants were selected by available methods and then randomly assigned using closed envelopes divided into honey saffron syrup group (63 person) and control group (63 person). Each participant received a maximum of 150 cc of honey saffron syrup or placebo syrup. The syrups were provided at the start of the study (4 cm dilation), and then, every 30-60 minutes until the end of the active phase of the first stage of labor based on patient's desire. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square and t-test with SPSS software (version 24).P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

The results showed that the mean duration of the active phase of the first, second and third stages of labor after the intervention in the intervention group of honey saffron syrup (176.83±48.29, 35.92±13.85 and 13.55±7.26) compared to The control group (289.42±73.95, 74.92±29.35 and 18.92±8.7) was shorter (P <0.001).

Consumption of honey saffron syrup is effective in reducing the length of the active phase of the first stage of labor, the second and third stages of labor.