PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of herbal drugs by pregnant women in relation to concurrent use of conventional drugs, delivery, and pregnancy outcome. METHOD: 600 women at Stavanger University Hospital Norway were interviewed using a structured questionnaire within five days after delivery. Medical birth charts were reviewed with respect to pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: In all, 39.7% of the women reported having used herbal drugs during pregnancy, most commonly ginger, iron-rich herbs, echinacea and cranberry. Although 86.3% of the women reported having used conventional drugs during pregnancy there were few potential interactions between herbal drugs and conventional drugs. There was a significant association between the use of iron-rich herbs during pregnancy and high birthweight, and use of raspberry leaves and caesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Use of herbal drugs is common during pregnancy and indicates a need for documentation about their safety in pregnancy.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of herbal drugs by pregnant women in relation to concurrent use of conventional drugs, delivery, and pregnancy outcome. METHOD: 600 women at Stavanger University Hospital Norway were interviewed using a structured questionnaire within five days after delivery. Medical birth charts were reviewed with respect to pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: In all, 39.7% of the women reported having used herbal drugs during pregnancy, most commonly ginger, iron-rich herbs, echinacea and cranberry. Although 86.3% of the women reported having used conventional drugs during pregnancy there were few potential interactions between herbal drugs and conventional drugs. There was a significant association between the use of iron-rich herbs during pregnancy and high birthweight, and use of raspberry leaves and caesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Use of herbal drugs is common during pregnancy and indicates a need for documentation about their safety in pregnancy.
Authors: Susan Arentz; Jason Anthony Abbott; Caroline Anne Smith; Alan Bensoussan Journal: BMC Complement Altern Med Date: 2014-12-18 Impact factor: 3.659
Authors: Abdul Rouf Pallivalappila; Derek Stewart; Ashalatha Shetty; Binita Pande; James S McLay Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2013-09-30 Impact factor: 2.629