Keep calm and labor on! Use of aromatherapy in labor and delivery

Background and/or rationale Labor pain is unavoidable and can be the biggest determining factor of the labor experience. In labor, a patient’s anxiety stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and releases stress related hormones, which increases the severity of pain. Nonpharmacologic interventions can decrease anxiety and the perception of pain. Benefits to nonpharmacologic strategies include sense of control when patients actively manage their pain, lack of serious side effects, minimal expense, and ease of use. Lavender aromatherapy can decrease labor anxiety while also decreasing pain perception. Aim or purpose of the initiative This EBP project purpose: Does utilizing aromatherapy with birthing patients assist in labor coping by decreasing stress and patient reported pain? Implementation plan Utilizing the IOWA model, phase one implementation includes: Aromatherapy education for staff (learning modules, unit huddles, data collection tool), purchase of hospital approved aromatherapy premanufactured products and initial patient use. Phase 2 will incorporate environmental essential oils. Outcomes Data to be completed by early fall. Implications for practice: Project outcomes should suggest aromatherapy decreases anxiety and pain perception and will assist other units’ future implementation