Insights & Discussion
Aromatherapy, specifically with lavender essential oil, can effectively alleviate maternal anxiety and labor pain.
The methodology involved a systematic review of five databases - PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scientific Information Database - for studies on the use of aromatherapy for pain and anxiety management during labor. Search keywords included variations of aromatherapy, essential oil, aroma, pain, anxiety, labor, and delivery. The quality, bias, and reliability of the identified studies were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's 'Risk of bias' protocol.
33 studies met the inclusion criteria, with various methods of aromatherapy application utilized, such as inhalation, massage, footbaths, birthing pools, acupressure, and compresses. The most commonly used essential oil was lavender, used individually or mixed with other essential oils. These studies, predominantly conducted in Iran, formed the basis for our analysis and provided evidence to assess the positive impact of aromatherapy on labor pain and anxiety.
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Lavender aromatherapy is more effective in reducing pain intensity during active Phase I labor than lemon aromatherapy.
2022 Jurnal Kebidanan Comparison of The Effectiveness of Lavender and Lemon Aromatherapy Toward Reducing Pain Labor During Active Phase of First Stage Lestari CI, Amilia R, Rospia ED
Clinical Study Labour Pain Lavender Lemon
The methodology employed for this study was a quasi-experimental format utilizing a non-equivalent control group pretest and posttest design. The research was conducted in the City of Mataram with a total of 30 mothers, 15 of whom were given lavender aromatherapy and the remaining 15 given lemon aromatherapy. All participants were selected using a total sampling technique.
The results showed a marked decrease in pain intensity for those mothers who were given lavender aromatherapy compared to those who received lemon aromatherapy, during the active phase I of labor. Despite both groups displaying a significant decline in discomfort according to the posttest data, the average decrease was more pronounced for the group that used lavender aromatherapy. This evidence advocates for the further exploration of lavender's potential uses in childbirth pain relief management.
Aromatherapy, specifically lavender, appears to be an effective, affordable, and holistic approach to reducing the length of labour in expectant women.
2022 Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing duration of labour: a systematic review Ghiasi A, Bagheri L, Sharaflari F
Systematic Review Aromatherapy Labour Induction Lavender
The research executed a systematic review of clinical trial studies regarding the use of aromatherapy in labour augmentation, sourced from diverse databases including Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Google scholar, Irandoc, Science direct, Magiran and Sid up until September 2021. 22 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were examined, with the reported experiences of 3234 women who employed a variety of aromatherapies forming the analysis base.
In discussing the results, it was observed that certain aromatherapies notably lavender, showed efficacy in decreasing labour time for women. However, the paper emphasized the importance of prudent use of aromatherapy, most probably owing to the varying individual responses and potential for allergic reactions to such holistic interventions.
Lavender aromatherapy, whether administered through massage or inhalation, appears effective in reducing active phase labor pain.
2021 Disease and Diagnosis Effect of Aromatherapy with Lavender on Labor Pain: A Literature Review Hatami Rad R
Review Article Labour Pain Lavender
The researchers conducted their study by performing a detailed search using a number of specific keywords such as lavender, childbirth, labor, pregnancy, labor pain, aromatherapy, and delivery across multiple databases. These databases included MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Using these keywords they extracted relevant data from the seven most reliable studies they found, two of which originated in Egypt and Indonesia, and remaining five in Iran. The chosen studies depicted a range of qualities, with some using massage aromatherapy, and others applying inhalation as their method of practice.
In analyzing these studies, it was found that all of them indicated that lavender aromatherapy, regardless of whether it was applied via massage or inhalation, had the potential to lessen the pain felt during the active phase of labor. The studies provided basis for insightful consideration of the application of lavender aromatherapy as a viable method for managing labor pain.
Inhalation aromatherapy using Damask rose and lavender essential oils can reduce anxiety and pain in women after they have had a cesarean section.
2020 Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Compare the effect of aromatherapy using lavender and Damask rose essential oils on the level of anxiety and severity of pain following C-section: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial Abbasijahromi A, Hojati H, Nikooei S, Jahromi HK, Dowlatkhah HR, Zarean V, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Anxiety Caesarean Damask Rose
This study was a randomized clinical trial involving 90 mothers who had cesarean sections at a hospital in Jahrom, Iran, in 2017. Prior to intervention, the incidences and severities of pain and anxiety were measured for all participants. The two intervention groups underwent aromatherapy with Damask rose and lavender essential oils. The participants were given cotton balls stained with three drops of these essential oils to inhale from a distance of 10cm for 30 minutes. The control group went through similar procedure but with normal saline. Pain and anxiety levels were assessed using established scales 5 minutes after the specified process.
Following the interventions, the two aromatherapy groups experienced significantly different pain and anxiety levels compared to the control group. The results showed no tangible difference between the pain and anxiety levels of those who inhaled lavender oil and those who inhaled Damask rose oil.
Aromatherapy enhances physio-psychological well-being in postpartum women.
2019 Journal of Nursing Research The Effects of Aromatherapy on Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review TSAI SS, WANG HH, CHOU FH
Systematic Review Anxiety Aromatherapy Lavender
This systematic review encompassed 15 studies conducted in Iran, England, and the United States, involving 2,131 postpartum participants. The research focused on evaluating aromatherapy's effects on various aspects of postpartum health. Aromatherapy interventions, primarily utilizing lavender and citrus aurantium essential oils, demonstrated positive outcomes. These included relief from nipple fissure pain, improved episiotomy recovery, reduced pain and nausea after cesarean section delivery, and enhanced sleep quality. Additionally, aromatherapy showed potential in positively influencing psychological health, particularly in reducing anxiety. Lavender oil emerged as the most impactful essential oil. While promising, further comprehensive studies are needed to establish aromatherapy as a validated therapy for postpartum women.
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