Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
MSc Midwifery student, Student Research Committee, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3
Professor, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
4
Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Shariatie Ave, Tabriz, Iran
10.22038/jmrh.2024.77959.2319
Abstract
Background & aim: While epidural analgesia is regarded as the gold standard for managing labor pain, some studies suggest it may be linked to increased postpartum fear of childbirth (FOC). We aimed to compare the effects of lavender aromatherapy and epidural analgesia on FOC during labor and postpartum as primary outcomes.
Methods: In this randomized trial, 56 women with full-term singleton pregnancies, admitted for vaginal delivery, were equally allocated to either the lavender aromatherapy group or epidural analgesia group at the onset of active labor. Outcomes were assessed using the Delivery Fear Scale, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire, the visual analog scale, and the Birth Satisfaction Scale.
Results: All women were followed up and analyzed. There was no significant difference in mean FOC scores between the two groups at one hour post-intervention (46.0 vs. 46.7; adjusted mean difference (AMD) -1.6, 95% CI -8.2 to 5.0). Postpartum mean FOC scores were significantly lower in the aromatherapy group compared with the epidural group at both two hours (47.0 vs. 63.8; AMD -7.2, 95% CI -26.5 to -8.0) and five weeks (40.0 vs. 66.1; AMD -26.4, 95% CI -36.1 to -16.7) postpartum. The mean labor pain intensity was higher, the duration of the active phase was shorter, and birth satisfaction was greater in the aromatherapy group (Ps < 0.001).
Conclusions: Although lavender aromatherapy is not as effective as epidural analgesia in alleviating labor pain intensity, it appears to reduce postpartum childbirth fear and may also shorten the first stage of labor while enhancing childbirth satisfaction.
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