title: Comparison of the effect of aromatherapy with Jasminum officinale and Salvia officinale on pain severity and labor outcome in nulliparous women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Using non-pharmacological pain relief methods for reducing labor pain has always been one of the major concerns in obstetrics and gynecology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Comparing the effects of aromatherapy with jasmine and salvia on pain severity and labor outcome in nulliparous women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized clinical trial, 156 nulliparous women in labor were randomly selected and divided into salvia, jasmine, and control groups (52 in each group). The study duration was 6 months (from October 2009 to March 2010). Each group underwent aromatherapy using an incense mask for 15 min (distilled water for the control group). Pain severity was measured before and 30 and 60 min after the incense aromatherapy. Also, duration of the first and second stages of labor, first- and fifth-minute APGAR scores of the baby, and the frequency of labor type were measured and recorded in each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison to the other groups, pain severity and duration of the first and second stages of labor were significantly lower in the aromatherapy group of salvia 30 min after the intervention (P = 0.001). However, no significant difference was found among the three groups regarding pain severity 60 min after the aromatherapy, first- and fifth-minute APGAR scores of the baby, and the frequency of labor type.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study indicated that aromatherapy with saliva had beneficial effects on pain relief, shortened the labor stages, and had no negative impact on the baby's APGAR score.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Maasumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaviani
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maghbool
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Azima
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hosein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tabaei
keywords: Aromatherapy; Jasminum officinale; Salvia officinale; labor; nulliparous