Using castor oil and a balloon catheter to induce labor in first-time mothers

The Effect of Combining Single Balloon Catheter With Castor Oil Ingestion for Cervical Ripening on Time to Delivery Among Nulliparous Women.

Not applicable Interventional Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth, Israel · NCT06325007

This study is testing if using castor oil along with a balloon catheter can help first-time mothers have their babies faster compared to just using the balloon catheter alone.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment142 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexFemale
SponsorHoly Family Hospital, Nazareth, Israel Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Nazareth and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06325007 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of combining castor oil ingestion with an extra-amniotic single balloon catheter for cervical ripening in nulliparous women. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a study group, which will consume a mixture of castor oil and orange juice followed by the insertion of a balloon catheter, or a control group that will only receive the balloon catheter without castor oil. The study aims to determine if this combination reduces the time from induction to delivery and assesses any potential side effects for the mothers and perinatal outcomes. The trial will require a sample size of 57 women in each group to achieve statistically significant results.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are nulliparous women over 18 years old with a term pregnancy and a viable singleton fetus.

Not a fit: Patients who have had a previous cesarean delivery or have contraindications to vaginal delivery may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to shorter labor times and improved outcomes for first-time mothers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the combination of balloon catheters with pharmacological agents for labor induction, making this approach somewhat novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women above 18 years old
* Sign an informed consent
* Term pregnancy (\>37 weeks)
* Viable fetus
* Singleton
* Vertex presentation
* Intact membranes
* Cervix with Bishop score ≤6

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous cesarean delivery
* Major fetal malformations
* Contraindication to spontaneous vaginal delivery
* Amniotic fluid index \>25cm
* Chorioamnionitis at admission
* Placental abruption
* Previous prostaglandin use for induction of labor
* A low-lying placenta (up to 2 cm from the internal os)
* Carriers of hepatitis B or C or human immunodeficiency viruses
* Women with a history of allergy to latex.
* Women with a history of allergy to castor oil

Where this trial is running

Nazareth and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Induction of Labor Affected Fetus / Newborn
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.