The Effect of Aromatherapy Inhalation on Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy negatively impacts family relationships and has major consequences on the pregnant woman’s working capabilities (Jewell and Young, 2003). Aim: This study aimed to estimate the effect of mixed essential oils inhalation on nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: This study was conducted in Abha maternity teaching hospital-King Khalid University at the outpatient clinics. In addition to three maternal and child health centers. Abha- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sample: Simple random sample of one hundred one pregnant women with single fetus were recruited in the study. The inclusion criteria were women who can read and write, their age between 15-38 years, between 8 and 16 weeks gestational, free from any medical disorders, who had nausea and/or vomiting, required anti-emetics and were not hospitalized. Tools and measurements: The Rhodes index for nausea and vomiting assessment, visual analogue mood scale, the fatigue severity scale, oil burners, and lavender and peppermint oils were the tools have been used in this study. Procedure: Women in the study group were asked to use the predefined essential oils twice a day, prior napping or sleeping. All participants in the study group were asked to record episodes of nausea and number of vomitus within twelve hours starting from inhalation of fragrance daily for three days. Results: Nausea and vomiting episodes were decreased at third day essential oils inhalation compared with baseline assessment among pregnant women in the study group. Moreover, women felt energetic after essential oils inhalation. Mood scores ranged between mild to moderate energy. Finally, although there was a significant change in fatigue score at third day’s treatment, the fatigue scores still high. Conclusion: Inhalation of mixed two perfumes of lavender and peppermint oils may minimize the severity of nausea episodes, enhance energy level and decrease fatigability sensation.

Key words: Nausea, Vomiting, Pregnancy, Aromatherapy, Essential oils, Lavender oil, Peppermint oil