The use of herbs by california midwives.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize herbal product use (prevalence, types, indications) among Certified Nurse Midwives/Certified Midwives (CNMs/CMs) and Licensed Midwives (LMs) practicing in the state of California and to describe formal education related to herbal products received by midwives during midwifery education.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey/California/Practicing midwives.


METHODS
A list of LMs and CNMs/CMs practicing in California was obtained through the California Medical Board (CMB) and the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), respectively. The survey was mailed to 343 CNMs/CMs (one third of the ACNM mailing list) and 157 LMs (the complete CMB mailing list).


RESULTS
Of the 500 surveys mailed, 40 were undeliverable, 146 were returned, and 7 were excluded (30% response rate). Of the 139 completed surveys, 58/102 (57%) of CNMs/CMs and 35/37 (95%) of LMs used herbs, and LMs were more comfortable than CNMs/CMs in recommending herbs to their patients. A majority of LMs had >20 hours of midwifery education on herbs whereas a majority of CNMs/CMs received 0 to 5 hours. Some CNMs/CMs indicated that their practice site limited their ability to use herbs. Common conditions in which LMs and CNMs/CMs used herbs were nausea/vomiting (86% vs. 83%), labor induction (89% vs. 58%), and lactation (86% vs. 65%). Specific herbs for all indications are described.


CONCLUSIONS
Licensed midwives were more likely than CNMs/CMs to use herbs in clinical practice. This trend was likely a reflection of the amount of education devoted to herbs as well as herbal use limitations that may be encountered in institutional facilities.
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, UCSF, 521 Parnassus Ave, Suite C-152, Box 0622, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. dennehyc@pharmacy.ucsf.edu
Cathi
C
Dennehy
Candy
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Tsourounis
Lindsey
L
Bui
Tekoa L
TL
King
D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002568:Certification; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D010936:Plant Extracts