Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
HA Young Investigators Session (Projects to be presented by HA staff who had joined HA for 10 years or less)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service II (Projects aiming to enhance clinical safety and outcomes, clinical governance / risk management)
Authors (including presenting author) :
SZE PY(1), Wong HMR(1), Li ONA(1), Yip MY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Aromatherapy is a well-known method for easing labor pain and anxiety. It is known that clients with lower anxiety level would experience less pain during labour and have better infant outcome. Being accredited as a Baby Friendly Hospital in 2021, PYNEH Department of O&G had introduced inhalation aromatherapy as non-pharmacological pain relief method during intrapartum period since 2022 to promote mother-friendly childbirth.
Objectives :
- To provide alternative non-pharmacological pain relief method for intrapartum clients.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of using inhalation aromatherapy in reducing labour pain and anxiety.
Methodology :
2 selected essential oils including Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis) were used in this study. 1ml of 2% essential oil was dripped onto a non-absorbable gauze and attached onto client’s clothing. Inhalation aromatherapy was used until second stage of labour. All participants’ pain level were assessed before and 30 minutes after the use of inhalation aromatherapy. Level of anxiety, relaxation effect, satisfaction level and perception of aromatherapy were assessed after delivery by using satisfaction survey filled in by clients after delivery.
Result & Outcome :
Data were collected from April to August 2022. A total number of 150 participants were recruited and 75 participants experienced inhalation aromatherapy. 74.7% of participants agree or strongly agree aromatherapy could relieve their anxiety, 77.3% of clients felt more relaxed after using aromatherapy. The pain scores were reduced by using aromatherapy during intrapartum period (p<0.001). Additionally, there was a significant reduction of the use of Entonox (p=0.049) and increase childbirth without using pharmacological pain relief methods (p=0.033) after using inhalation aromatherapy. The duration of the use of Entonox and Epidural analgesia were also significant shorten among participants who used aromatherapy prior (p=0.010 and p<0.001). Moreover, the perinatal outcome, condition in fourth stage of labour were not affected by aromatherapy in this study and no adverse outcome was observed. Hence, the results in this study have proved that aromatherapy is a safe and effective non-pharmacological pain relief method for intrapartum clients. Therefore, aromatherapy should become a usual pain relief method during intrapartum period and alternative ways of application could be introduced.
