FED: Three quarters of pregnant women use alternative medicine
By Judy Skatssoon, National Medical Writer
SYDNEY, Dec 10 AAP - A hospital survey of expectant mothers found almost three quartershad used alternative medicine during their pregnancy.
The medicines were used to ease morning sickness, relieve reflux, headaches or backpain, aid sleep and reduce stress.
They were also taken for perceived beneficial effects on the uterus and "preparing" for birth.
The seven-week study of 48 women at Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital foundcamomile, ginger, peppermint and raspberry leaf were the most popular herbal products,followed by aromatherapy oils, homeopathic preparations, flower essences, therapeuticoils, antioxidants and a range of dietary supplements.
Reporting in the trade publication Australian Pharmacist, the researchers from theUniversity of South Australia said the results showed a high prevalence of complementarymedicine use among the group of women surveyed.
The women were in the hospital's antenatal wards and ranged in age from 20 to 43.
Their hospitalisation was not linked to their use of complementary medicine.
The authors said while many of the herbal preparations were widely recommended andused, scientific evidence on their safety during pregnancy was "either lacking or conflicting".
Meanwhile, there were concerns that essential oil components could pass through theplacenta after being inhaled or absorbed.
"Due to the paucity of data on the safety of herbal medicines during pregnancy andthe effectiveness of these products for pregnancy-specific conditions, this study highlightsthe urgent need for more research in this area," the report concludes.
According to the survey, thirty-five of the women (75 per cent) had used at least onecomplementary health care product during their pregnancy.
Fifty-six per cent used herbal teas or herbal medicines, 40 per cent used aromatherapyproducts and 71 per cent used at least one non-prescription vitamin or mineral supplement.
The study shows the highest prevalence of complementary medicine use by pregnant womenever reported.
However, researchers said this may not be applicable to the wider community becausethe women in the study all required hospitalisation.
"Complications or difficulties during pregnancy may result in a greater desire to usecomplementary medicines," they said.
Further research was needed to extend the study to the wider community, they said.
AAP jjs/apm/sb
KEYWORD: PREGNANCY (WITH FACTBOX)
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