TY - JOUR
T1 - Use of herbal preparations during pregnancy: Focus group discussion among expectant mothers attending a hospital antenatal clinic in Norwich, UK
AU - Holst, Lone
AU - Wright, David
AU - Nordeng, Hedvig
AU - Haavik, Svein
PY - 2009/5/22
Y1 - 2009/5/22
N2 - Background
The extent of herbal medicine use in pregnancy has been widely researched throughout the world but little research has been published about the motivations for this use.
Methods
Focus group discussion. Women who participated in a survey at an antenatal clinic were asked to participate in a focus group discussion to elaborate further on some of the results from the survey. Six women participated.
Results
The major themes identified were: the “underground” nature of taking herbal remedies, reliance on family and friends for information, perceived safety of herbal remedies whilst acknowledging the lack of trial evidence and a desire for the NHS to be more open minded.
Conclusion
Herbal medicines are pharmacologically active and pregnant women frequently take these without informing their pregnancy care provider. If doctors want to obtain a full medical picture which includes herb use then non-judgemental responses to such behaviour is required.
AB - Background
The extent of herbal medicine use in pregnancy has been widely researched throughout the world but little research has been published about the motivations for this use.
Methods
Focus group discussion. Women who participated in a survey at an antenatal clinic were asked to participate in a focus group discussion to elaborate further on some of the results from the survey. Six women participated.
Results
The major themes identified were: the “underground” nature of taking herbal remedies, reliance on family and friends for information, perceived safety of herbal remedies whilst acknowledging the lack of trial evidence and a desire for the NHS to be more open minded.
Conclusion
Herbal medicines are pharmacologically active and pregnant women frequently take these without informing their pregnancy care provider. If doctors want to obtain a full medical picture which includes herb use then non-judgemental responses to such behaviour is required.
U2 - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.04.001
DO - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.04.001
M3 - Article
SN - 1873-6947
VL - 15
SP - 225
EP - 229
JO - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
JF - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
IS - 4
ER -