The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during pregnancy

Viviana Stampini; Carmen Imma Aquino; Chiara Airoldi; Sara Parini; Daniela Surico; Valentino Remorgida

doi:10.1515/jcim-2024-0207

Article

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during pregnancy

Viviana Stampini , Carmen Imma Aquino , Chiara Airoldi , Sara Parini , Daniela Surico and Valentino Remorgida

Published/Copyright: November 4, 2024

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From the journal Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Volume 21 Issue 4

Abstract

Objectives

Approximately one-third of the global population uses complementary medicine, as yoga and meditation, not endorsed by evidence-based conventional medicine and, with more difficulties in case of pregnancy.

Methods

Our study investigates the prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) usage in Novara (Italy) and its province through a survey to pregnant women at 36 gestational weeks.

Results

The sample consisted of 70 women, average age of 33 years, most Caucasian, highly educated, mostly employed, under private gynecological care, with a prevalence of CAM use of 24.3 % [95 % CI 14.83; 36.01]. Six women (35.3 %) did not inform their healthcare provider of using these medicines, 15 women (88.2 %) express willingness to use complementary medicine in their next pregnancy, while 2 (11.8 %) are uncertain. The study found a significant association between higher education and CAM usage among pregnant women. Other factors, including nationality, occupation, choice of private practice, parity, physical activity, diet, smoking, pregnancy complications, and vaccination status, did not show significant relationships with CAM usage.

Conclusions

Our objective is to delineate the characteristics of CAM users, explore the methodologies and motivations of their usage, and ascertain any correlations with the rejection of conventional vaccination practices. The analyzed population consists of 70 women aged 32.9 years in mean, mostly Caucasian, with a high level of education. Most women are under private gynecological care (84.3 %), half of the participants are experiencing their first pregnancy. Physical activity levels vary, with 34.3 % reporting high activity levels. Regarding diet, 77.1 % consider their eating habits moderately healthy, with a notable portion of smokers women (24.3 %); 20.0 % have experienced pregnancy complications. 17 participants utilized non-conventional or alternative medicine, with a prevalence of 24.3 [95 % CI 14.83; 36.01]. Six women (35.3 %) did not inform their healthcare provider about using CAM. Seven women (46.7 %) claim significant beneficial effects in most cases, while 8 (53.3 %) state this occasionally. Based on their experiences, 15 women (88.2 %) express willingness to use complementary alternative medicine in their subsequent pregnancy, while 2 (11.8 %) are uncertain. Only one person (11.1 %) used this type of therapy as a substitute for conventional treatment, but they informed their attending physician. The study seeks to enhance our understanding of CAM utilization in pregnancy, informing more comprehensive and evidence-based healthcare practices for expectant mothers.

Keywords: Complementary and Alternative Medicine; integrative medicine; pregnancy

Corresponding author: Carmen Imma Aquino, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Gynecology and Obstetrics, “Maggiore Della Carità” Hospital, 28100, Novara, Italy, E-mail: c.immaquino@gmail.com

Research ethics: The Ethical Committee has approved this research study with protocol number 471/CE (4/2020) on date 27/01/2020, and with amendment of use for further studies on 28/03/2024 by the Hospital Commettee of AOU Maggiore della Carità, Novara (IT).
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study, or their legal guardians or wards.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
R esearch funding: None declared.
Data availability: On request.

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Supplementary Material

This article contains supplementary material (https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2024-0207).

Received: 2024-06-11

Accepted: 2024-10-08

Published Online: 2024-11-04

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Keywords for this article

Complementary and Alternative Medicine; integrative medicine; pregnancy