Authors (including presenting author) :
TangHK, Tang Ho Kwan (1)
LeungCY, Leung Choi Yin (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Antenatal Ward, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
Aromatherapy, utilizing essential oils from plants, offers complementary therapeutic benefits during labor - pain relief, reduced anxiety, and better sleep. Through inhalation, massage, or diffusion, aromatherapy targets the olfactory and central nervous systems to provide calming or uplifting effects. This holistic approach supports relaxation and comfort during childbirth, empowering women to embrace natural, non-invasive therapies.
In our unit, aromatherapy is offered by a few drops of essential oil in the plain gauze, being put on the mother’s collar position, as the non-pharmacological pain relief method. In fact, there are different methods of application, e.g. hot compresses, baths in the public, which might create the same values in labor experiences.
Objectives :
- To explore alternative methods of aromatherapy application, other than the usual method used in antenatal ward
- To empower the mothers to make decisions on their preferred methods of aromatherapy application, enhancing the overall birthing experience
- To identify the opportunities for investigating the effectiveness of different methods of aromatherapy applications in the future
Methodology :
The pilot study recruited 50 mothers (gestational age ≥ 37 weeks) from August to December 2024 in the antenatal ward, QMH. The participants ranked six aromatherapy methods - hot compress, inhalation, mask aroma therapy, mindful hand soak, foot soaks and traditional method according to their preferences with the use of lavender oil. After receiving the most preferred option, they were asked to evaluate their aromatherapy experience, in terms of effectiveness of pain relief, convenience, and overall satisfaction.
Result & Outcome :
Preliminary findings indicate that preferences varied among participants, with most of them favoring the hot compress due to its immediate soothing effects. Inhalation and mindful hand soaks were also positively received. Significant improvements in comfort and pain management across all methods were reported, highlighting the potential of aromatherapy as a valuable complementary approach in labor support.
This study underscores the importance of personalized aromatherapy applications in enhancing maternal comfort during labour. By integrating different aromatherapy applications into obstetric care, midwives can promote holistic, patient-centered labor experiences. Further research is needed to warrant the effectiveness of different methods of aromatherapy applications in the future.
