title: The effect of aromatherapy with lavender essence on severity of labor pain and duration of labor in primiparous women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lavender essence inhalation on severity of labor pain and duration of labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  This 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lavender essence aromatherapy may be an effective therapeutic option for pain management for women in labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Midwifery and Assistant Professor, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mansoreh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yazdkhasti
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: pirak.arezoo@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Arezoo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pirak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019341:Aromatherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D027523:Lavandula; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010298:Parity; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; C045718:lavender oil
keywords: Aromatherapy; Labor pain; Lavender essence; Primiparous women