Title : Effect of aromatherapy in the level of discomfort during the laboring process
Abstract:
Introduction: Labor discomfort and pain management is a critical element of maternal care. Although pharmacological interventions are commonly used, there is interest in non-pharmacological options that reduce discomfort and improve patient satisfaction. Aromatherapy, a low-risk non-invasive intervention, has been studied for its potential to reduce anxiety and perceived pain levels. Aromatherapy is utilized essential oils to stimulate the old factory system, which may influence pain perception and anxiety through neurological pathways. Literature suggests it may improve maternal labor experience without posing a significant risk.
Purpose: To explore the effect of aromatherapy on discomfort levels during the laboring process among patients admitted for vaginal delivery, specifically pain, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in a South Florida Community hospital Labor and Delivery unit. The study was approved by the health system’s institutional review board in June 2024; enrollment of participants in progress. Participants are recruited via informational flyer upon admission to the labor and delivery unit. Patients are assigned to the control group (standard of care) or intervention group (aromatherapy plus standard of care) based on the week of enrollment. Discomfort is assessed pre-and-post intervention using a 10-point pain scale, 4-point anxiety scale, and a binary nausea/vomiting question. Data are collected via REDCap and analyzed in SPSS v27.0 using descriptive statistics, t tests, and correlation analyses to assess the relationship between aromatherapy use and reported discomfort levels.
Results: Data collection is currently in progress. To date, 24 patients have participated in the study [control, n = 5 (18%); intervention group, n = 19 (82%)]. Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 39 (M = 26.8, SD = 6.06). Sixty-three percent were non-Hispanic (n = 15) and 50% were black/African American. Thirty-eight percent (n = 9) were gravida 1. Seventy-nine percent (n = 19) of participants had a support person present during labor. Forty-six percent (n = 11) had induced labor, 42% (n = 10) were in stage 1, and 13% (n = 3) were in stage 2. Pre-intervention and post-intervention respective levels of pain for the control group ranged from 0 to 10 (M = 3.40, SD = 4.16) and 0 to 5 (M = .80, SD = 1.95). Pre-intervention and post-intervention respective levels of pain for the intervention group ranged from 0 to 10 (M = 4.26, SD = 3.26) and 0 to 6 (M = 2.28, SD = 2.70). Pre-intervention and post-intervention respective frequencies of nausea were 60% (n = 3) and zero for the control group and 80% (n = 15) and zero for the intervention group. Pre-intervention and post-intervention respective frequencies of vomiting were zero and 20% (n = 1) for the control group and 5% (n = 1) and zero for the intervention group. Inferential analyses are pending closure of enrollment/completion of data collection.
