The Effect of Aromatherapy Massage Using Lavender Oil on the Level of Pain and Anxiety During Labour Among Primigravida Women

Abstract

Background: Labour pain is considered as one of the most intense forms of pain. Psychological challenge such as anxiety can contribute towards women’s perception of pain and may also affect their labor and birth experience. There are modern many non-invasive methods to relieve pain during childbirth. Among these methods is aromatherapy which is the most popular complementary therapy during child birth. Therefore this study aimed to assess the effect of aromatherapy massage using lavender oil on the level of pain and anxiety during labor among primigravida women. Setting: the study was conducted in the labour department at El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. A purposive sample of 60 pregnant women participated in the study. There were randomly assigned to two groups: The first group (n= 30) received aromatherapy back massage with 2 drops of lavender oil dissolved in 50cc almond oil and the second group (n = 30) received only back massage. Four tools were used to collect the necessary data: An Interviewing Assessment Sheet, Partograph, Visual analogue pain intensity scale (VAS) and Spielberger state-trait anxiety questionnaire. Results of the current study illustrated that the mean pain score before intervention was (7.0) for aromatherapy group and (8.1) for control group. Then after intervention, the mean pain score decreased to 6.4 during active phase for aromatherapy group compared to 8.9 for control group. Also, the mean pain score decreased to 7.7 during transitional phase for aromatherapy group compared to 9.6 for control group. There is a statistical significant difference between the two groups after the intervention. Moreover, the mean anxiety score before intervention was (55.47 and 50.40) respectively among the aromatherapy and control group. However, it decreased during the active and transitional phase to (38.40, 36.63) respectively among aromatherapy group compared to (45.13, 44.07) respectively among control group. The difference was statistically significant. The present study concluded that aromatherapy massage with lavender oil can reduce pain and anxiety during labour. Also, it is an effective way to decrease labor duration. It was recommended that lavender aromatherapy massage can be offered to women in labour for pain relief.