title: The self-prescribed use of aromatherapy oils by pregnant women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While some studies have reported effectiveness of aromatherapy oils use during labour there is no reported evidence of efficacy or risks of aromatherapy oils use for pregnancy-related symptoms or conditions. A number of aromatherapy oils are unsafe for use by pregnant women yet there is currently no research examining the prevalence and characteristics of women who use aromatherapy oils during pregnancy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct an empirical study of the prevalence and characteristics of women who use aromatherapy oils during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research was conducted as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), focusing on the nationally representative sample of Australian women aged 31-36 years. Data were collected via a cross-sectional questionnaire (n=8200) conducted in 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-prescribed aromatherapy oils were used by 15.2% of pregnant women. Pregnant women were 1.57 (95% CI: 1.01, 2.43) times more likely to self-prescribe use of aromatherapy oils if they have allergies or hayfever, and 2.26 (95% CI: 1.34, 3.79) times more likely to self-prescribe use of aromatherapy oils if they have a urinary tract infection (UTI).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study highlights a considerable use of aromatherapy oils by pregnant women. There is a clear need for greater communication between practitioners and patients regarding the use of aromatherapy oils during pregnancy, as well a need for health care practitioners to be mindful that pregnant women in their care may be using aromatherapy oils, some of which may be unsafe.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: david.sibbritt@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Sibbritt
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: christine.catling-paull@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: Christine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Catling
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: jon.adams@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: The Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia. Electronic address: andreashaw1981@yahoo.com.au.
authors.forename: Andrea J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: caroline.homer@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: Caroline S E
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Homer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000379:methods*; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D055656:Prescriptions; D015995:Prevalence; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile
keywords: Aromatherapy; Aromatherapy oils; Complementary medicine; Pregnancy; Self-prescribed