The use of CAM by women suffering from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Taras Hollyer¹ , Heather Boon² , Alexia Georgousis¹ , Michael Smith¹ and Adrienne Einarson³

¹Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Canada

²Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Canada

³The Motherisk Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

author email corresponding author email

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2002, 2:5doi:10.1186/1472-6882-2-5


Published:	17 May 2002

Abstract

Background

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) affects two-thirds of pregnant women to varying degrees and over the years many modalities have been used to try to alleviate this often debilitating condition. There is a paucity of information in the literature about the use or efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the treatment of this condition that affects so many women. Our primary objective was to examine the prevalence of CAM usage by women suffering from NVP. Our secondary objective was to ascertain if women had any supervision in the use of these treatments.

Methods

Women who called The Motherisk NVP helpline, were asked after the counseling session to complete a questionnaire, which included demographic data as well as information about their CAM use.

Results

Seventy women completed the questionnaire. 61% reported using CAM therapies, of which the three most popular were: ginger, vitamin B6 and acupressure. 21% of those who reported using CAM, had consulted CAM practitioners, 8% their physicians or pharmacists and 71% discussed the usage with family, friends and other allied health professionals. Women who did not use CAM stated they would probably use these modalities if there was more information about the safety in pregnancy.

Conclusion

Pregnant women with NVP are mirroring the trend in the general population of the use of CAM. They are also using CAM therapies with little supervision from practitioners experienced in the use of these modalities.