Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: safety and efficacy of self-administered complementary therapies.
Nausea and vomiting affects a large proportion of women in early pregnancy, yet because it is a physiological symptom it is often dismissed by health professionals, leaving women to find their own coping mechanisms. This leads many to try a range of complementary and alternative therapies and natural remedies, although the evidence of efficacy is variable. Furthermore, while women realise the possible risks of taking medication during pregnancy they do not see complementary medicine in the same way. This paper explores a few of the common alternatives which expectant mothers self-administer to relieve nausea and vomiting and addresses issues of efficacy and safety.
Tiran
Denise
D
School of Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich, Eltham, London, SE9 2PQ, UK.
D019050:Acupressure; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D006801:Humans; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*
D028321:Plant Preparations; D011736:Pyridoxine