The Effect of Aromatherapy with Geranium on Anxiety in Nulliparous Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Reproductive Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.

3 Professor, Department of Social Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2025.86983.6390

Abstract

Introduction: Considering anxiety caused by childbirth, which can cause complications such as prolonged labor and increased risk of cesarean section, the present study was conducted with aim to determine the effect of aromatherapy with geranium on anxiety in nulliparous women.
Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted in 2023-2024 on 100 Iranian nulliparous women with a gestational age of 37 to 42 weeks referred to Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS) Hospital in Aligudarz city, Lorestan province. Women were randomly assigned to two equal groups of 50, including the experimental group (geranium essential oil) and the control group (placebo). Anxiety levels before and after the intervention was measured at dilations of 4-5 and 8-10 cm using the Spielberger questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 26) and independent t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean anxiety score before the intervention was 62.06±8 in the experimental group and 62.66±5.6 in the control group, which was not statistically significant (P=0.745). After the start of aromatherapy, the difference in the mean anxiety score over time and between the two groups was significant, and the anxiety score over time decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, aromatherapy with geranium essential oil can effectively reduce labor anxiety in nulliparous women; therefore, it is suggested that be used as a non-pharmacological, safe, and effective method in labor wards to make labor more pleasant.

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References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 28, Issue 4
June 2025
Pages 53-63

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