Benefits of aromatherapy in relieving pregnancy discomfort: scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0217e.39659Keywords:
aromatherapy; pregnancyAbstract
Introduction: During pregnancy, various physical discomforts and emotional fluctuations often arise. The use of aromatherapy by obstetric nurses can help pregnant women to experience this period in a more positive way, avoiding or reducing the use of allopathic medication.
Objective: To map knowledge about the benefits of aromatherapy in relieving pregnancy discomfort.
Methods: ScR using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method according to participants (P), concepts (C) and context (C). The search was carried out on 10 October 2022, with no time limit applied, in the CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, WOS, BVS MTCI and Science Direct databases, using the descriptors ‘Aromatherapy’ and ‘Pregnancy’, limited to the full text and English, Portuguese and Spanish languages, obtaining 266 articles. Screening using Rayyan, by two independent researchers, and 10 studies were included.
Results: The essential oils (EOs) with the greatest benefit in relieving pregnancy discomforts were lemon, peppermint, damascena rose and lavender EOs, applied essentially via the aromatic and/or topical route.
Conclusion: Aromatherapy has been shown to be beneficial in relieving pregnancy discomforts. It is recommended that obstetric nurses undergo certified professional training in aromatherapy to empower pregnant women.
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