title: Use of acupuncture and other CAM methods in obstetrics: an analysis of 409,413 deliveries from Hesse, Germany.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to analyze the frequency of use of acupuncture and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods during labor and to investigate the different characteristics of women being treated with or without acupuncture and CAM methods, as well as try to analyze birth-related outcome measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed from 409,413 deliveries, registered between 2001 and 2008 by the agency for quality assurance in Hesse (the Hessian Perinatal Registry [HEPE] survey), which made up more than 95% of all deliveries in this German state during the given time period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interest in the use of CAM seems to have decreased within the given time period. On average, acupuncture was used in 3.7% (15,345/409,295) of all deliveries and other CAM methods in 4.8% (19,507/409,295). The most important determinant for the use of one or both methods was the type of hospital. It was also found that German women with higher job qualifications were more likely to receive CAM treatment during delivery. Interestingly, application of CAM methods was associated with a higher use of analgesics during labor. The risk status of the pregnancy or the delivery was of minor importance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis shows that the determinants of CAM use are similar to those in the field of oncology. In order to assess the efficacy of acupuncture or other CAM methods in the field of obstetrics, it seems necessary to extend the HEPE survey to cover these areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Klinikstrasse 32, Giessen, Germany. karsten.muenstedt@gyn.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Münstedt
authors.forename: Janina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thienel
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hrogovic
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hackethal
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalder
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Misselwitz
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics