Inhalation Aromatherapy Using Lavender Essential Oil to Decrease the Intensity of Labor Pain in Active Phase of First Stage Among Primiparous

Abstract

Labor pain is caused by contractions of the myometrium, stretching the lower segment of the uterus and cervix, as well as uterine muscle ischemia as physiological processes that cause pain, fear, and worry that can impact both the mother and fetus. One non-pharmacological method for pain management through encephalins production is aromatherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of lavender aromatherapy by inhalation on reducing the intensity of physiological labor pain in the active phase of first stage among primiparous. The design of this study was experimental with a one-group pretest-posttest without control group in 20 people who were given lavender aromatherapy when the cervical dilatation was 6 cm. Data were analyzed using paired t-test with the results showing that lavender aromatherapy was proven to significantly reduce the intensity of physiological labor pain during the active phase (p-value <0.05). Inhalation therapy with lavender aromatherapy can be used as an alternative in midwifery practice to reduce the intensity of physiological labor pain in the active phase of first stage among primiparous

Alleviating effect of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and its major components on postherpetic pain: a randomized blinded controlled trial

“…In the present study, patients who inhaled lavender essential oil, linalool, or linalyl acetate had significantly reduced severity and intensity of pain. These results are in agreement with recent studies that observed that inhalation therapy and massage therapy using lavender oil reduced the severity of labor pain in primiparous women [ 49 ], and that inhalation of lavender oil decreased the intensity of labor pain in primiparous women [ 50 ]. Similarly, another study of patients who underwent removal of indwelling urinary catheters after colorectal cancer surgery reported that the VAS pain score was decreased after inhalation of lavender oil or linalyl acetate [ 20 ].…”