The utility of aromatherapy in labor and delivery

Abstract

Essential oils have been used since ancient times; however, they have only until recently been used for various healthcare-related purposes. Many maternity hospitals provide a massage service after delivery, but only few use it as a part of complementary and alternative medicine. This study examines whether use of essential oils during delivery can result in pain relief, decrease in blood pressure, or shortening of parturition. Patients felt that the use of essential oil reduced their pain, shortened parturition time, and led to relaxation and increased satisfaction level during delivery. However, blood pressure did not decrease, and no difference was observed in the amount of bleeding during delivery. Therefore, further studies are needed to accumulate more data. A large number of patients consider aromatherapy as a hospitality service, similar to body massage. At present, aromatherapy in obstetrics is still under development for use as complementary and alternative medicine.