Effect of Lavender Oil Massage on Lumbosacral Region for Labour Pain and Progress among Primiparturients

Mothers enduring labour process for the first time, experience stressful situation due to intolerable labour pain and lack of knowledge regarding labour process. Presence of nurse and the related interventions provided by her during active phase of labour, offer psychological support to the laboring mother and make them feel and acknowledge the sense of therapeutic touch during labour.

Objective: Determine the effect of lavender oil massage on lumbosacral region for labour pain and progress among primiparturients.

Method:

Research Design: Two group pretest - posttest control group design.

Setting: Labour room at Sri Ramachandra Hospital, Chennai

Participants: Primiparturients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and admitted for labour. Intervention: Lavender oil massage was given, using 3-4 drops of lavender oil with 2.5ml of coconut oil as carrier oil, over the lumbosacral region of labouring mothers in study group during active phase of labour.

Results: Perception of labour pain reduced among mothers in study group. Cervical dilatation between the groups did not show any statistical significance. Overall duration of labour was lesser in the study group than in the control group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Lumbosacral massage reduces the perception of labour pain and enhances the normal progress of labour among primiparturients. Hence, nurses can provide massage as a routine care for labouring mothers, which in turn will help the mother to cooperate and express her needs and feelings.