Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Master of Science Student in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, USERN Office, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
2
Assistant Professor of Reproductive Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
3
Professor in Social Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, 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 aimed to determine the effect of aromatherapy with geranium on anxiety in nulliparous women.
Methods: This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted on 100 Iranian nulliparous women referred to Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS) Hospital in Aligudarz city, Lorestan province in 1402-1403 with a gestational age of 37 to 42 weeks. 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 were measured at dilations of 4-5 and 8-10 cm using the Spielberger questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using independent t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS-26.
Results: The mean anxiety score before intervention was 62.06±8 in the experimental group and 62.66±5.6 in the control group, which was not statistically significant. 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 in the experimental group decreased 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 it be used as a non-pharmacological, safe, and effective method in labor wards to make labor more pleasant.
Keywords: Aromatherapy, Geranium, Anxiety, Nulliparous women
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