Study of Castor Oil and Balloon Catheter Use to Speed Labor in Women Who Have Given Birth Before

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of combining castor oil ingestion with an extra-amniotic single balloon catheter to help with cervical ripening and reduce the time from labor induction to delivery in women who have given birth before. This trial aims to find out if adding castor oil to the balloon catheter shortens labor time, affects other birth outcomes, and whether any side effects from castor oil are tolerable for mothers. The study is randomized and controlled to provide clear comparisons between the methods. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group will drink a mixture of 60 ml castor oil and 140 ml orange juice, followed 30 minutes later by the insertion of a 22-French Foley catheter filled with 60 ml saline above the cervix. The second group will have the Foley catheter inserted in the same way but without drinking castor oil. The balloon catheter will be removed about 12 hours after insertion, after which membrane rupture and oxytocin infusion may be used if contractions have not begun naturally. During the study, continuous fetal monitoring and routine labor management will be performed. Researchers will assess many outcomes including time to delivery, labor stages duration, mode of delivery, maternal and neonatal complications, side effects related to castor oil, and maternal satisfaction up to 10 days after birth. Follow-up includes monitoring for infections, hemorrhage, neonatal health, and length of hospital stay. The total participation period extends through delivery and postnatal observation up to 30 days for some neonatal outcomes.

Castor Oil Ingestion and Balloon Catheter for Labor Induction in Multiparous