title: The outcomes of complementary and alternative medicine use among pregnant and birthing women: current trends and future directions.
abstract: Complementary and alternative medicine is used by a substantial number of pregnant women and maternity care providers are often faced with the task of ensuring women are using safe and effective treatments while respecting a woman's right to autonomous decision-making. In the era of evidence-based medicine maternity health professionals are expected to draw upon the best available evidence when making clinical decisions and providing health advice. This review will outline the current trends in research evidence associated with the outcomes of complementary and alternative medicine use amongst pregnant and birthing women as well as highlight some potential directions for future development in this important yet largely unknown topic in contemporary maternity care.
authors.affiliation: Office of Research, Endeavour College of Natural Health, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia.|Australian Research Centre in Complementary & Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Amie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steel
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Complementary & Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Complementary & Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sibbritt
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Broom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health / Q000639:trends*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: alternative medicine; birth outcomes; complementary medicine; labor; pregnancy