Aromatherapy for Labor Pain

Overseen By Elizabeth Barrera, BSN, RN, RNC-OB

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Baptist Health South Florida

Disqualifiers: Unable to detect scents, allergies

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 45 minutes

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether aromatherapy can ease pain, anxiety, and nausea during labor. Participants will receive either aromatherapy with usual care or just usual care for their symptoms. The trial seeks pregnant individuals in labor who can smell scents and have no allergies to aromatherapy. Those experiencing labor pains and interested in aromatherapy may find this trial suitable. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore alternative pain relief methods during labor.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the aromatherapy trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is there any evidence suggesting that aromatherapy is safe for laboring patients?

Research has shown that aromatherapy is generally safe during labor. Studies have found it effectively reduces labor pain without major side effects. For instance, a review of several studies found that aromatherapy eased labor pain and was safe for mothers. Another study found that lavender essential oil reduced pain more than other oils during labor. Overall, aromatherapy appears well-tolerated, making it a safe option for managing labor pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for labor pain, like epidurals or analgesics, focus on numbing sensation or reducing pain through medication. Unlike these options, aromatherapy uses natural plant oils to potentially ease pain and anxiety in a gentle, non-invasive way. Researchers are excited because aromatherapy could offer a more holistic approach to managing labor discomfort, potentially reducing the need for medications and their associated side effects. Plus, it might help enhance relaxation and well-being during labor, providing a complementary option alongside standard care.

What evidence suggests that aromatherapy might be an effective treatment for labor pain?

Research has shown that aromatherapy, which participants in this trial may receive, can help manage labor pain. One study found that many patients experienced less pain during labor when using aromatherapy. Another study discovered that lavender essential oil reduced pain more effectively than rose essential oil. A review of several studies also found that aromatherapy not only eases labor pain but can also shorten labor. Overall, these findings suggest that aromatherapy could be a helpful option for managing pain during labor. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for laboring patients experiencing pain, anxiety, or nausea/vomiting. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to be of childbearing age and currently in labor with the mentioned symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

I am pregnant, 18 or older, and in labor or being induced, even if I might need a C-section.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who are unable to detect scents/odors

Patients with known allergies to aromatherapy and/or its components

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Treatment

Participants receive aromatherapy plus standard of care for managing symptoms of anxiety, pain, and/or nausea/vomiting

45 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for relief of symptoms after treatment

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Aromatherapy

Trial Overview

The study is testing whether adding aromatherapy to the usual care can help reduce pain, anxiety, or nausea/vomiting during labor compared to standard care alone.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention group: Education video Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The participant receives aromatherapy plus standard of care (SoC) for treatment based on symptoms (anxiety, pain, and/or nausea/vomiting) as prescribed by the physician.

Group II: Control group: Standard of Care Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The patient receives SoC for treatment of based on symptoms (anxiety, pain, and/or nausea/vomiting) as prescribed by the physician.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Baptist Health South Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

54

Recruited

8,100+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10632671/

The effectiveness of aromatherapy in the management ...

It was discovered that aromatherapy had a beneficial effect on the management of labor pain and reduced labor pain in the intervention group in 11 studies.

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7445940/

The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in the Management ...

Nehbandani et al. showed that aromatherapy with lavender essential oil, compared to rose essential oil, resulted in a more significant reduction in labor pain ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S187151921830221X

Labour pain control by aromatherapy: A meta-analysis of ...

Conclusion. Our findings suggest that aromatherapy is effective in reducing labour pain and duration, and generally safe to the mothers.

4.

tandfonline.com

tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01443615.2022.2109952

Effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing duration of labour

Results showed that some aromatherapies, such as lavender was almost effective in reducing length of labour. Results suggest that some ...

5.

midwifery.iocspublisher.org

midwifery.iocspublisher.org/index.php/midwifery/article/download/1936/1445/

The effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy in managing ...

Additionally, aromatherapy massage with lavender oil was found to be more effective in reducing labor pain than massage without aromatherapy. However, while ...

6.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/23/7203

Non-Pharmacological Pain Management in Labor

Rank probability tests for reducing labor pain intensity confirmed that aromatherapy, acupressure, and TENS ranked the highest with probabilities of 35, 31, and ...