A national survey of how acupuncture is currently used in midwifery care at Swedish maternity units.
OBJECTIVE
it is not known how acupuncture is used in midwifery care in Sweden and what kind of requirements health-care providers have for midwives and acupuncture training programmes. The aims of this study were to survey indications for the use of acupuncture in midwifery care in Sweden, and to examine the criteria and requirements used for purchase of acupuncture education programmes.


METHODS
a postal survey using a structured questionnaire.


METHODS
45 maternity units in Sweden.


METHODS
the midwife-in-charge of the units.


RESULTS
the most common indications for the use of acupuncture were relaxation, pain relief, retained placenta, after pains, milk stasis during lactation, hyperemesis and pelvic instability. Specific requirement for acupuncture education were provision of a short course during weekdays including a follow-up course.


CONCLUSIONS
acupuncture is widely used for many indications in Swedish maternity units despite weak or no evidence to support effectiveness in midwifery care. Requirements for acupuncture education did not seem to be in accordance with what might be expected for this type of qualified intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
the use of acupuncture in midwifery care should not persist until systematic evaluation of the effect of this method is carried through.
Mårtensson
Lena
L
School of Life Sciences, University of Skövde, Box 408, SE-541 28 Skövde, Sweden. Lena.martensson@his.se
Kvist
Linda J
LJ
Hermansson
Evelyn
E
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000451:nursing; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult