ABSTRACT
Background: Fenugreek and Fennel seed has galactogogues properties due to phytoestrogen structure and can increase the volume of breast milk
Objective: The aim of this study was to comparison the effect of herbals teas containing Fenugreek seed and Fennel seed on the signs of breast milk sufficiency in girl infants with 0-4 months of age
Methods: This study was a triple blind clinical trial with placebo group. 117 mothers with 0-4 months girl infants randomly were placed in one of the three groups: herbal tea containing Fenugreek seed powder, herbal tea containing Fennel seed powder and placebo group. Before and during 4 weeks of study, the signs of breast milk sufficiency were evaluated through measurement of weight, height and head circumference and follow-up forms for measuring the number of wet diapers in a day, Frequency of defecation and infant breastfeeding times
Results: Before and after the intervention there was no significant difference in the signs of breast milk sufficiency between Fenugreek and Fennel groups. While before the intervention there was no significant difference in signs of breast milk sufficiency between three groups [P>0.05], but the number of breastfeeding times of placebo group was more than interventions groups [P<0.001]. At the end of fourth week repeated measures analysis showed, Fenugreek and Fennel significantly improved the signs of breast milk sufficiency compared with the placebo group [P<0.001]. But the height growth had no significant difference between the three groups [P=0/094]
Conclusion: Herbals teas of Fenugreek seed and Fennel seed in comparison to placebo group improves the signs of breast milk sufficiency
ABSTRACT
Striae gravidarum appears in many pregnant women and it creates aesthetic concerns among them. This study was done with the aim of determination of the effects of olive oil and Saj cream on the occurrence of striae gravidarum in the second trimester of pregnancy. This study was a randomized trial. The study sample included 105 nulliparous women in their second trimester of pregnancy. All the women were in their 18th -20th week of pregnancy and refered to health centers of Tehran. Two intervention groups applied Saj cream [n=30] or olive oil [n=30] and control group [n=30] did not apply any creams. Data was collected by interview and observation and analyzed using SPSS-PC [v.13]. Striae manifested among 40% of those taking olive oil, 16.7% of those using Saj cream and 56% of those in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two intervention groups and the control group [P<.006]. The findings of this study indicated that application of Saj cream during the beginning of pregnancy to the end of the second trimester had been effective in reduction of striae gravidarum. Studies investigating the effect of other herbal oils on prevention of striae are recommended