AROMATHERAPY IN POSTPARTUM AND PUERPERIUM: A SYSTEMATIC, EVIDENCE-BASED REVIEW

Authors

  • Blanca Muñoz-Mahmud Universitat de Barcelona
  • Janina Zabaleta-Domínguez Hospital Clínic
  • Encarna Gómez-Gamboa Universitat de Barcelona
  • Ángela Arranz-Betegon Hospital Clínic; Hospital Sant Joan de Déu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1344/musas2018.vol3.num1.5

Keywords:

aromatherapy, lavender oil, breastfeeding, postpartum depression, anxiety, stress

Abstract

Introduction

The early abandonment of breastfeeding is closely related to tiredness and postpartum depression. The side effects of drugs have led to a high demand among users for natural therapies as an alternative.

Objectives

To determine the effects of aromatherapy in postpartum mothers, in relation to mood and the impact on breastfeeding.

Material and Methods

A literature review was carried out with searches of the Medline, Pubmed, Cochrane, LILACS, Google Scholar and Web of Science databases between 2006 and 2017.

Results

A total of six clinical trials were found, two of which were non-randomised. In all trials, lavender essential oil was used in women in the postpartum period, and mood was assessed before and after the application of the treatment.

Conclusions

No studies were found that related aromatherapy with breastfeeding, but all concluded that essential oil could be a preventative treatment for postpartum depression. 

Author Biographies

Blanca Muñoz-Mahmud, Universitat de Barcelona

Enfermera pediátrica Bcnatal, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu.Barcelona.

Janina Zabaleta-Domínguez, Hospital Clínic

Matrona Bcnatal, Hospital Clínic. Barcelona. 

Encarna Gómez-Gamboa, Universitat de Barcelona

Doctoranda en el programa de doctorado Enfermería y Salud. Universitat de Barcelona.

Enfermera pediátrica. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu. Barcelona.

Ángela Arranz-Betegon, Hospital Clínic; Hospital Sant Joan de Déu

Enfermera Pediátrica. Dra., en Enfermería. Jefa enfermera de BCNatal (Hospital Clínic y Hospital Sant Joan de Déu). Barcelona.

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Published

2018-01-30

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2018): Complementary and Integrative Therapies in the Reproductive Process

Section

Women and Family

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