BACKGROUND: Oral administration of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs has been the mainstay for postpartum pain control in pa­tients undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery. Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering the mood, cognitive function or health as well as in reducing sympathetic stimulation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectivity of aromatherapy in the management of postpartum pain who delivered vaginally.

METHODS: The study is a randomized controlled trial on 64 postpartum patients. Thirty two patients in the aromatherapy group re­ceived 2% lavender oil via face mask and another thirty two patients in the control group received unscented oil via face mask.

RESULTS: The demographic profile of the participants demonstrated that the age, gravidity and parity of the two groups were not strong determinants in influencing pain scores while undergoing this study. The findings demonstrated with the influence of aromatherapy, a significant decrease of pain scores was observed. Aromatherapy is able to bring positive effect in the reduction of pain among post­partum patients.

CONCLUSION: Based on findings, aromatherapy has significant impact in the decrease of pain scores of patients especially at a longer pe­riod of exposure. Even there are various intervening factors associated to pain, aromatherapy can be a conclusive non-pharmacologic approach in helping mothers after birth.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Aromatherapy ; Lavender Oil ; Gravidity ; Parity ; Masks ; Oils, Volatile ; Plant Oils ; Pain Management ; Postpartum Period ; Pain ; Cognition

OBJECTIVE: To review the POGS statistics on Maternal Mortality Rate and causes of direct and indirect maternal deaths from 2012 to 2014.
BASIC PROCEDURE: Data were retrieved friom the Integrated Statistical Information System, or ISIS, of POGS, and compliance in its use was assessed. Twenty four hospitals were chosen based on completeness of data and highest number of admissions.
RESULTS: Maternal Mortality Rate for the three-year period was 296 per 100,000 livebirths. The top causes of direct maternal deaths were hypertension, hemorrhage and infection. The top three causes of indirect maternal deaths were hypertension, hemorrhage and infection. The top three causes of indirect maternal deaths were cardiac, pulmonary and vascular.
CONCLUSION: Maternal Mortality Rate from 2012 to 2014 was reviewed. The low compliance submitting complete forms from POGS-accredited hospitals made the Committee on Nationwide Statistics strongly recommend an enhancement of the use of the electronic data-based system.

Human ; Female ; Maternal Death ; Maternal Mortality ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitals ; Hypertension ; Heart

Objective: To evaluate the factors affecting the use of the POGS PNSS across institutions. Basic Procedure: A cross-sectional study was done by the POGS Committee on Nationwide Statistics from November 2017 to April 2018. Eight representative institutions were chosen from POGS accredited institutions for service and training from the NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, based on the classifications of I. Complete Data, II. Incomplete Data, III. Wrong Format, and IV. No Data. Hospitals with the most number of admissions under each category were chosen. Interviews with chairpersons of the departments, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with the OB-GYN residents, and actual direct observations of how data were encoded in the PNSS were done. Results: All the chairpersons and Ob-Gyn residents of the selected institutions were aware of the importance of the PNSS especially in generating vital nationwide statistics like Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Rates. They had several pertinent suggestions on how improvement of the PNSS, like harmonization of classification of diseases with PHIC and ICD codes, and to include other co-morbidities in the system. Conclusion The factors affecting the use of POGS-PNSS in 2016 include: good attitude and compliance among POGSaccredited institutions, but there is a need to address multiple diagnosis including medical co-morbidities. Final diagnosis also needs to be PHIC-compliant, and there is a need to address the Data Privacy Act with the use of eMR (electronic medical records).
International Classification of Diseases ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Morbidity