Exploring the Use of Integrative Therapies during Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: About 60% of women experience back pain while pregnant (Jayson, 2016). “Morning sickness” affects about 80-90% of pregnant women (Viljoen, Visser, Koen, & Musekiwa, 2014). Stress and anxiety during pregnancy can cause negative birth outcomes (Effati-Daryani, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, Mirghafourvand, Taghizadeh, & Mohammadi, 2015). Purpose: The purpose of this research was to (1) explore the published literature regarding the use of integrative therapies during pregnancy for low back and pelvic pain (LBPP), nausea and vomiting (N/V), and depressed mood or anxiety, and (2) to survey ethnic and racially diverse pregnant women receiving prenatal care at a birth center in North Carolina about their use of integrative therapies to alleviate common discomforts of pregnancy, including LBPP, N/V, and depressed mood or anxiety. Methodology: A convenience sample of 31 was obtained by requesting participation in a survey from pregnant women at a birth center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that assessed their use of integrative therapies during pregnancy. Pregnant women of all trimesters and races were included in the study. Those women who were unable to speak and read English were excluded from this study. Results: Yoga (32.3%) and chiropractic services (29.1%) were commonly reported integrative therapies used to treat low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Acupressure (12.9%) was the most commonly reported integrative therapy used to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Meditation/yoga (6.5%) and herbs (6.5%) were commonly reported integrative therapies used to treat mood disturbances during pregnancy. About 23% of participants reported having used integrative therapies during pregnancy without notifying their healthcare providers. Implications: The findings of this research were used to understand what integrative therapies women are using to alleviate their common discomforts of pregnancy, specifically related to LBPP, N/V, & mood disturbances.