Study shows almost one in two pregnant women are using complementary and alternative medicine

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Are you pregnant? Do you use complementary therapies? A recent Australian study has found that a significant number of women are turning to complementary therapies during their pregnancy.

Pregnancy and preconception

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Are you pregnant? Do you use complementary therapies? A recent Australian study has found that a significant number of women are turning to complementary therapies during their pregnancy. The study published in Pregnancy & Childbirth surveyed over 1800 women and found that almost half (49.4%) consulted with a complementary or alternative medicine practitioner for pregnancy-related health conditions.

Many of these women saw chiropractors for back pain, massage therapists for sciatica, neck and hip pain, yoga or meditation instructor for relaxation, acupuncturists to help prepare for labour, and naturopaths to help alleviate nausea.

What was interesting was that the women who predominately saw a GP or obstetrician throughout their pregnancy were less likely to see a complementary therapy practitioner in comparison to those who saw midwives, who often recommended complementary therapies such as acupuncture and doula support.

So why are more women seeking out further health support during their pregnancy than the standard GP/Obstetrician/Midwife models? Is it a feeling that these models don’t offer the complete health support women need? Is it so that the woman feels more empowered and in control of her pregnancy if she seeks out other natural remedies for symptomatic relief?

A number of complementary therapies and remedies have been studied in pregnancy and have been found to be suitable. Acupuncture for labour support, chiropractic treatment for back pain, ginger for nausea, massage for relaxation, and yoga for pain management are among the most commonly used therapies that are suitable during pregnancy.

Did you use (or do you use) complementary therapies during your pregnancy? What did you use and how did it help you? Was this supported by your doctor?

References available on request

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