THE EFFECT OF CARDAMOM THERAPY AROMA ON EMESIS GRAVIDARUM IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE 1ST TRIMESTER

Abstract

BackgroundNausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) affects approximately 70-85% of pregnant women in the first trimester. The use of synthetic antiemetics is often limited by side effects. Herbal aromatherapy, such as cardamom (Elettaria ardamom), is a non-pharmacological alternative that is beginning to be studied.

Objective: analyzing the effectiveness of cardamom aromatherapy in reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnant women in the first trimester based on controlled clinical trials (RCT).

Method: This study used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest with a control group. The sample consisted of 32 pregnant women selected using consecutive sampling techniques. Inclusion criteria included gestational age 8-12 weeks, singleton pregnancy, and nausea and vomiting ≤10 times/day. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy complications such as hyperemesis gravidarum, vaginal bleeding, and allergy to cardamom aromatherapy. Data analysis used the McNemar and Fisher Exact tests.

Results: There was a significant effect of cardamom aromatherapy on reducing emesis gravidarum with a p value of 0.001 (<0.05). In the intervention group, while the control group did not show any significant changes.

Conclusion: Cardamom aromatherapy has the potential to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnant women in the first trimester. Cardamom aromatherapy given every morning for four days is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnant women in the first trimester.