The effect of Lavender essence via inhalation method on labor pain

Studies have shown that half of the mothers complain severe or intolerable labor pain. Because of the side effects of pharmacological pain killers on mothers and neonates, those medications are used lower than non pharmacological methods in these days. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lavender essence inhalation on labor pain.

In this randomized clinical trial study, 120 pregnant women were selected by convenient sampling method and devided in two groups of 60. Conducted cool vapor of essential oil of lavender was used in case group and the control group used only cool water vapor. Written consent was obtained and pain was estimated once before and 3 times after intervention. Analytical statistics such as t-test and χ2 were used.

The results showed that difference in the labor pain before and after intervention in lavender group was 0.81±2.48 and in control group was 0.90±1.90 and the difference was significant (P=0.03).

This study showed that aromatherapy could be a suitable alternative complementary medicine for labor pain.