After a cesarean section, easing pain and anxiety is important for the well-being of the mother and for bonding of the mom with her baby. Safe, simple methods are needed. This one might pleasantly surprise you.
Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil is amazing for relieving anxiety, pain and discomfort.
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 50 women who had undergone cesarean section inhaled either lavender essential oil or a placebo between 2 and 12 hours after cesarean section (the average seems to have been about 6 hours). Three drops of lavender essential oil were placed on a cotton ball at a distance of about 4 inches and inhaled for 30 minutes.
Compared to the placebo aromatherapy, pain was reduced significantly more in the lavender group after both rest and mobilization. Lavender also significantly lowered levels of anxiety. The moms in the lavender group needed significantly less pain medication than the moms in the placebo group.
The lavender aromatherapy was safe.
This study offers, safe, simple, inexpensive, pleasant help to women who have undergone cesarean sections.
J Epidemiol Glob Health. October 2024;14:1536-44.