Sixty women completed the trial as randomized, 30 received massage aromatherapy, and 30 received massages only (Figure 1). We obtained 100% follow up and the massage was completed in all women. At trial entry, maternal characteristics were similar (Table 1). There were significant differences in intrapartum events (Table 2); the mean length of active phase was 4.05 ± 1.95 and 5.21 ± 2.52 h for Lavender aromatherapy and massage only, respectively. Also, in the second stage of labor there were significant differences (Table 2); 29 ± 10.5 min in the lavender aromatherapy group versus 42.4 ± 13.9 min (p=0.001) in massage group, respectively. However, there were no differences in mean length third stage of labor, labor onset and in the manner of rupture of amniotic sac in two groups (Table 2). There were also no differences in type of delivery between the lavender aromatherapy and massage group, and each had the same high spontaneous vaginal birth proportion (8389%). Additionally, Apgar scores were not different for each group at 1 and 5 min. The intensity of pain between the two groups was compared in the latent phase (cervix dilated 4 - 5 cm), active phase (5 - 7 cm) and transitional phase (8 - 10 cm). There was a relatively steady increase in pain intensity level as labor progressed. A t-test demonstrated that the lavender aromatherapy group had significantly
lower pain reactions in the latent, active and transitional phases (Table 3). There was no different in number and duration of contractions in active phase in two groups. Twenty-seven of the 30 (90%) lavender aromatherapy group subjects reported that massage aromatherapy was helpful, providing pain relief and psychological support during labor versus 60% in massage only group (p=0.014). Subjects in the two groups (100%) tended to have a massage at the next delivery and 96.7% in lavender massage aromatherapy and 93.3% in massage group tended to continue massage during this labor and suggested it to their friends, although there was no significant difference between two groups (Table 4).