This randomized, controlled study evaluated the effects of 10 g of boiled dill seeds on childbirth-associated anxiety and labour duration among 100 pregnant women. Boiled dill seeds effects were compared to a positive control, oxytocin. No statistically significant differences was noted in obvious anxiety scores between the two groups at baseline (p > 0.05).

After the delivery, in the boiled dill seed group, the number of women with severe and almost severe trait anxiety and almost severe state anxiety was lower than those in the control group (p = 0.050, p = 0.041, respectively). Moreover, labor was shorter in the 1st (p < 0.01), 2nd (p = 0.78) and 3rd (p = 0.10) stages in the boiled dill seed group compared to the control group.

In conclusion dill seeds could be used as an effective treatment to reduce anxiety during labor and can be effective in reducing the length of labor.

Hekmatzadeh SF, Bazarganipour F, Allan H, Aramesh S, Mohammadi J. Effects of Boiled Dill Seed on Anxiety During Labor: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Chin J Integr Med. 2020;26(2):100–105. doi:10.1007/s11655-019-3222-4