title: Effect of Inhalation of Aroma of Geranium Essence on Anxiety and Physiological Parameters during First Stage of Labor in Nulliparous Women: a Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anxiety increases significantly during labor, especially among nulliparous women. Such anxiety may affect the progress of labor and physiological parameters. The use of essential oils of aromatic plants, or aromatherapy, is a non-invasive procedure that can decrease childbirth anxiety. This study examined the effect of inhalation of the aroma of geranium essential oil on the level of anxiety and physiological parameters of nulliparous women in the first stage of labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  In study, was carried out on 100 nulliparous women admitted to Bent al-Hoda Hospital in the city of Bojnord in North Khorasan province of Iran during 2012-2013. The women were randomly assigned to two groups of equal size, one experimental group (geranium essential oil) and one control (placebo) group. Anxiety levels were measured using Spielberger' questionnaire before and after intervention. Physiological parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse rate) were also measured before and after intervention in both groups. Data analysis was conducted using the x2 test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcox on test on SPSS 11.5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean anxiety score decreased significantly after inhalation of the aroma of geranium essential oil. There was also a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aroma of essential oil of geraniums can effectively reduce anxiety during labor and can be recommended as a non-invasive anti-anxiety aid during childbirth.
authors.affiliation: Departement of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnord, Iran.
authors.forename: Fahimeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rashidi Fakari
authors.affiliation: Departement of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnord, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahbubeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabatabaeichehr
authors.affiliation: Departement of Chemistry Engineer, Research Center of Natural Products Health, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamali
authors.affiliation: Departement of Midwifery, Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rashidi Fakari
authors.affiliation: Departement of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naseri
keywords: Anxiety; Aromatherapy; Childbirth; Essence; Geranium