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 (83-
89%). 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
of labor.