The effect of aromatherapy with lavender essence on severity of labor pain and duration of labor in primiparous women

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lavender essence inhalation on severity of labor pain and duration of labor.Methods and materialsThis single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 120 pregnant women in two groups. The experimental group received 2 drops of Lavender essence inhaled at three stages (4–5, 6–7, 8–9 cm cervical dilation) and severity of the labor pain and duration of labor was measured before and after intervention. The control group was treated with distilled water as a placebo in the similar ways, too.ResultsThe results showed that difference in the labor pain before and after intervention in two groups was significant (P = 0/001). But there was no difference in mean duration of the active phase and the second stage of labor between the two groups.ConclusionLavender essence aromatherapy may be an effective therapeutic option for pain management for women in labor.