AROMATHERAPY LEMONGRASS (CYMBOPOGON NARDUS) ON REDUCING ANXIETY OF LABOR WOMEN IN THE FIRST STAGE OF LABOR

Abstract

In Indonesia, 28.7% of mothers who give birth experience anxiety. Anxiety can prolong labor and increase the incidence of labor with action. One of the non-pharmacological therapies used to reduce anxiety is by giving aromatherapy. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of lemongrass aromatherapy and maternal care on reducing maternal anxiety in the first stage of childbirth. This was a quasi-experimental with a non-randomized control group pretest posttest design. The research was conducted at the Independent Midwife Practice, Air Hangat Barat District. The research population was all mothers who gave birth. Sample of 16 people was divided into 2 groups of 8 people by purposive sampling. Data was collected using the Hamilton Rating Scale For Anxiety (HARS) questionnaire filled out before and after the intervention. Data analysis consisted of univariate and bivariate using computerized Paired T-Test and Shapiro-Wilk tests. The results of the study showed that the average anxiety score for each group before the intervention was given was 24.25. After being given the intervention, the average anxiety score decreased to 17.38. From the bivariate analysis, the value of p = 0.000 was obtained, meaning that there was a significant difference in decreasing the anxiety of mothers in the first stage of labour. Based on the results of the analysis above, it was concluded that there were differences in the effectiveness of lemongrass aromatherapy and mother's affection for reducing anxiety in the first stage of labor. can be applied by midwives.