title: Use of complementary and alternative medicines during the third trimester.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence, indications, and associated factors for complementary and alternative medicine use during the last trimester of pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey was conducted of women with a live birth (N=700) admitted to the postnatal unit at the Royal Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, northeast Scotland. Outcome measures included: complementary and alternative medicine used; vitamins and minerals used; reasons for complementary and alternative medicine use; independent associated factors for use; views; and experiences. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 79.6% of eligible women. Two thirds of respondents (61.4%) reported using complementary and alternative medicine, excluding vitamins and minerals, during the third trimester. Respondents reported using a total of 30 different complementary and alternative medicine modalities, of which oral herbal products were the most common (38% of respondents, 40 different products). The independent associated factors for complementary and alternative medicine use identified were: complementary and alternative medicine use before pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] 4.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.39-7.95, P<.001); a university education (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.46-4.0, P=.001), and complementary and alternative medicine use by family or friends (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.61-3.47, P<.001). There was no association with health care professional recommendations. Users were significantly more likely than nonusers to agree that complementary and alternative medicines were safer than prescribed medicines (P=.006), less likely to be associated with side effects (P≤.001), and could interfere with conventional medicines (P≤.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the majority of respondents, and notably users, being uncertain about their safety and effectiveness, complementary and alternative medicine modalities and complementary and alternative medicine products are widely used during the third trimester of pregnancy in this study population. Although prior use was the most significant independent associated factor, the role of family and friends, rather than health professionals, in the decision to use complementary and alternative medicine may be of concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  III.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Sciences, The University of Aberdeen, Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, and Royal Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, and Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom; and Biostatistics, Medical Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Abdul Rouf
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Pallivalapila
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Ashalatha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Binita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pande
authors.forename: Rajvir
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McLay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D037001:Directive Counseling; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008880:Midwifery; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015013:Yoga; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations