INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY SCIENCE (IJNMS)
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 AUGUST 2026

THE EFFECT OF COUNTERPRESSURE THERAPY AND LAVENDER AROMATHERAPY ON REDUCING PAIN INTENSITY IN THE FIRST STAGE OF LABOR

Veryudha Eka Prameswari (Universitas Bina Sehat PPNI Mojokerto)
Indra Yulianti (Universitas Bina Sehat PPNI Mojokerto)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jul 2026

Abstract

First stage labor pain is a physiological process that can cause physical and psychological stress for mothers giving birth, so it requires effective and safe non-pharmacological treatment. Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of a combination of counterpressure therapy and lavender aromatherapy on reducing the intensity of first stage labor pain. Method: This type of study used a quasi-experimental design with a one group pre-test and post-test design approach. Sampling was carried out using an accidental sampling technique with a total of 25 mothers giving birth in the first stage. Measurement of pain intensity used a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Bivariate data analysis used the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Results: The characteristics of respondents showed that the majority were in a healthy reproductive age of 20–35 years (80%) and were primiparous (60%). Before the intervention, most respondents experienced severe pain (72%) with an average value (mean) of 7.24 ± 1.15. After being given a combination of counterpressure therapy and lavender aromatherapy, pain intensity decreased to moderate pain (52%) and mild pain (44%) with an average value of 4.12 ± 0.98. The results of the Wilcoxon statistical test showed a p-value <0.001 (p <0.05). Conclusion: The combination of counterpressure therapy and lavender aromatherapy had a significant effect on reducing the intensity of pain in the first stage of labor. This combination therapy can be recommended as one of the non-pharmacological independent midwifery care interventions to reduce labor pain.

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