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Approximately 80 percent of pregnant women suffer by some degree of nausea and vomiting. But the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is rarely successful. The aim of this study was evaluation the effect of mint on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that its treatment in some recent research has been effective. In this double blind RCT, 60 pregnant women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy were sampled and divided into two groups with Block-randomized method. mint group, in addition to giving the routine training, for four consecutive nights, before sleeping, a bowel of water whit four drops of pure mint essential oil placed on the floor near their beds and in control groups were used four drops of normal saline . The severity of nausea by using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and severity of vomiting by counting the number of its in 7 days prior, 4 days during, and 7 days after intervention were assessed. The results showed that the severity of nausea and vomiting did not differ between the two groups in 7days before and after intervention by using repeated measurement test. But during intervention, the severity of nausea showed a decreasing trend (especially in 4th night) in the mint and an increasing trend in the control group. The severity of nausea within 7 days after the intervention had a decreasing trend in both groups; however, the intensity was lower in the mint than saline group but not statically significant. No meaningful relationship has been detected during and after intervention for the intensity of vomiting. The results of study showed that peppermint essential oil hasn't the effect on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
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Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal
Study of the Effect of Mint Oil on Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
Hajar Pasha
1
, Fereshteh Behmanesh
2*
, Farideh Mohsenzadeh
2
, Mahmood Hajahmadi
3
, Ali
Akbar Moghadamnia
4
1
Fatemeh Zahra Fertility and Infertility Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
2
Department of Midwifery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
3
Department of Community Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
4
Department of Pharmacology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
* Corresponding author: Fereshteh Behmanesh, Department of Midwifery, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran. Tel.: +98-1112199592, Fax: +98-
1112199936, E-mail: f24farzan45@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background: Approximately 80 percent of pregnant women suffer by some degree of nausea and vomiting. But the treatment of nausea and
vomiting of pregnancy is rarely successful.
Objectives: The aim of this study was evaluation the effect of mint on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that its treatment in some
recent research has been effective.
Materials and Methods: In this double blind RCT, 60 pregnant women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy were sampled and divided
into two groups with Block-randomized method. mint group, in addition to giving the routine training, for four consecutive nights, before
sleeping, a bowel of water whit four drops of pure mint essential oil placed on the floor near their beds and in control groups were used four
drops of normal saline . The severity of nausea by using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and severity of vomiting by counting the number of its in 7
days prior, 4 days during, and 7 days after intervention were assessed.
Results: The results showed that the severity of nausea and vomiting did not differ between the two groups in 7days before and after
intervention by using repeated measurement test. But during intervention, the severity of nausea showed a decreasing trend (especially
in 4th night) in the mint and an increasing trend in the control group. The severity of nausea within 7 days after the intervention had a
decreasing trend in both groups; however, the intensity was lower in the mint than saline group but not statically significant. No meaningful
relationship has been detected during and after intervention for the intensity of vomiting.
Conclusions: The results of study showed that peppermint essential oil hasn't the effect on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Keywords: Mentha piperita; Nausea; Vomiting; Aromatherapy
Article type: Research Article; Received: 09 Nov 2011, Revised: 03 Apr 2012, Accepted: 17 Apr 2012; DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.3477
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
This study is going to evaluate the effect of mint on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Please cite this paper as:
Pasha H, Behmanesh F, Mohsenzadeh F, Hajahmadi M, Moghadamnia AA. Study of the Effect of Mint Oil on Nausea and Vomiting
During Pregnancy. Iran Red Cres Med J.2012;14(11):744-7. DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.3477
Copyright © 2012, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal; Published by Kowsar Corp.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which per-
mits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
1. Background
Nausea and vomiting are among the common prob-
lems in the first half of pregnancy (1). Approximately
%80 percent of women are influenced during pregnancy,
along with significant impact on their quality of life (2,3).
The reason behind gestational nausea and vomiting is
not still well defined (1). In spite of temporal relationship,
there is no constant correlation between the severity of
nausea and vomiting and increased level of chorionic go-
nadotropin; however, since conditions with high HCG lev-
el, such as molar and multiple pregnancies, are accompa-
nied by higher rates of nausea and vomiting, (4) it seems
that nausea is probably caused by increment in estrogen
parallel to increase in gonadotropin level (1). Treatment
of gestational nausea and vomiting is rarely so successful
that the pregnant women could reach to a full recovery.
The problem is somehow alleviated by measures such as
trying to eat less in more servings, stop eating before sa-
tiety, and Nonetheless, vomiting is sometimes so severe
that does not respond to treatments; in these cases, drugs
such as vitamin B6 (5,6), promethazine, and are used (1).
These drugs are associated with side effects (7). In a study
Effect of Mint Oil on Vomiting During Pregnancy
Pasha H et al.
745
Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2012:14(11)
showed that 34% of women did not use drug treatment
(vitamin B6), and 26% administered it less than the pre-
scribed dose, and ascribed it to lack of trust in drug safety
during pregnancy and the preference to non-medical
approach (2). Application of complementary and alter-
native medicine is the major trend recently occurred in
medical care that can even reduce plasma level of stress
hormones (8). Although healing ingredients of essential
oils are broadly used in medicine throughout the world
(9), administration of herbal medicines is limited during
pregnancy due to unawareness of their mechanisms of
action and lack of randomized controlled trials in this
field. Yet, the study showed that 85% of midwives recom-
mend herbal remedies, regardless of their side effects,
to pregnant women for treating gestational nausea and
vomiting (10). Among the herbal medicines mentioned
in recent researches to treat nausea and vomiting of
pregnancy, mint can be enumerated (11,12).
2. Objectives
The present study has been carried out to evaluate the
effect of mint oil on nausea and vomiting during preg-
nancy.
3. Materials and Methods
This double blind clinical trial was conducted, after get-
ting approval by Ethics Committee of Babol University
of Medical Sciences and permission for research imple-
mentation, on 60 pregnant women complaining of ges-
tational nausea and vomiting sampled by the researcher
from prenatal ward of seven selected health clinics based
on inclusion (14-35 years, singleton gestation, first tri-
mester pregnancy) and exclusion criteria; well-known
underlying physical or psychological problems, dead em-
bryo or fetus with diagnosed malformation, severe ges-
tational nausea and vomiting, multiple gestations and
hydatiform mole, and those applied other medication
for nausea and vomiting were excluded from this study.
Women intended to participate were given the informed
consent and were randomly allocated to mint oil (n = 30)
and normal saline (n = 30) groups ( Figure 1 ). In addition
to receiving the routine training on diminishing gesta-
tional nausea, such as more meals and less food per meal,
refraining from eating before reaching satiety, avoiding
fatty and spicy foods, eating crackers or dry bread before
getting up from sleep and keeping hydration (10), the
mint group samples were assigned to use a bowl of wa-
ter with 4 drops of pure mint oil (purchased from Kashan
Barij Essence Company) placed on the floor near their
beds for four consecutive nights before sleeping to lessen
the morning sickness (13,14). Despite the same instruc-
tion to the other group, the placebo samples were given
a container with normal saline to use it according to the
mentioned approach. It should be noted that both drug
and placebo were pre-coded by the consultant pharma-
cist and were unknown to the researcher and the mother.
Some mint oil was poured to inner parts of drug's lid,
so that mothers receiving the normal saline cannot be
aware of being allocated to this group. The visual analog
scale was used to assess the severity of nausea. This objec-
tive instrument includes a 10 cm line with areas with a
definite beginning and the end and a specified range, on
which patients determine their health status. Scores zero
and ten are respectively indicative of the best and the
worst condition. Nausea intensity-recording visual scale
is a self-reporting measure, and since nausea is a sensa-
tion felt by patient, it is a highly appropriate technique
for measuring the related intensity; in addition, percep-
tion and education of recording manner is easy for the
study samples (15). To evaluate the severity of vomiting,
the frequency of vomiting and retching was counted.
Variables such as maternal age, gestational age, educa-
tion, occupation, place of residence, and BMI were also
assessed in terms of group matching. After getting the
information, the data were analyzed through descrip-
tive-analytical statistic by SPSS software. Demographic
characteristics (i.e., Age, BMI, Gestational age educational
level, Occupation, Place of residence) were summarized
to characterize the study population. Statistical analyses
were performed using t-test (i.e., mean of age, gestational
age, BMI), Chi Square (i.e., educational level, Occupation,
Place of residence), and repeated measurement (i.e., the
severity of nausea before, during, and after intervention
in the study groups, the severity of vomiting before, dur-
ing, and after intervention in the study groups) to deter-
mine potentially significant associations, and a p value
less than 0.05 was considered significant.
4. Results
The results showed similarity between the two groups
regarding the maternal age, gestational age, education,
occupation, place of residence, and BMI. The minimum
and the maximum ages were respectively 14 and 34 years
old, 45% of participants were in the age range of 20-25
years. Most of the samples (25%) were in their 8 weeks of
gestation ( Table 1 ).
Results showed similar intensity of nausea and vomit-
ing from 7 days before the intervention. The mean of nau-
sea and vomiting intensity was 4.78 ± 1.62, 4.85 ± 1.82 and
3.00 ± 2.19, 2.52 ± 2.4 in mint and saline groups (P value =
0.865, 0.389).
In the first to fourth days of intervention, the severity
of nausea showed a decreasing trend (especially in the
fourth night) in the mint and an increasing tendency in
the control group ( Figure 2 ).The mean of nausea inten-
sity in mint and saline groups was 3.50 ± 1.95, 4.38 ± 2.18
(P value = 0.140).The mean of vomiting intensity within 4
days the intervention in mint and saline groups was 2.23
± 1.88, 2.55 ± 2.55 (P value = 0.577).
Effect of Mint Oil on Vomiting During Pregnancy
Pasha H et al.
Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2012:14(11)746
150 were invited to participate in the study
Women Randomized into trial
(n=67)
Assigned to intervention
(n=33)
Assigned to control
(
n=34
)
Completed follow-up
(n=30)
Lost to follow-up
(n=3)
1 participate due to
intolerance to the
mint oil
1participiate for
using of other drugs
1 participate for not
returning the
q
uestionnaire
83 excluded:
50 women refused
to participate;
because of they
intended to begin
another treatment.
- 10 women
refused to
participate
-3 women were
multiple
pregnancies
-10 women were
the second
trimester
-2 sever
gestational nausea
and vomiting
8 were high risk
Completed follow-up
(n=30)
Lost to follow-up
(n=4)
2 participate for using
of other drugs
2 participate for not
returning the
questionnaire
Figure 1. Flow Diagram of Participants Through each Stage of Random-
ized, Controlled Trial
Table 1. Comparison of demographic characteristics between
two groups of mint oil and normal saline
Mint oil Normal
saline
P value
Age, Mean ± SD 24.8 ± 3.56 25.1 ± 4.76 0.783
BMI, Mean
± SD
24.84 ± 2.99 25.54 ± 3.81 0.434
Gestational
age, Mean ± SD
9.07 ± 1.31 9.73 ± 2.21 0.161
Education, No
(%)
0.530
< High school 9 (30) 10 (33.3)
High school 18 (60) 14 (46.7)
University 30 (10) 6 (20)
Occupation,
No (%)
0.646
Housekeeper 26 (86.7) 26 (86.7)
Employed 4 (13.3) 4 (13.3)
Place of resi-
dence, No (%)
0.602
Rental 15 (50) 15 (50)
Personal 15 (50) 15 (50)
4.233
4.367
4.267
4.333
3.833
3.733
3.367
3.067
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
1 day2 day3 day 4 day
Means of nausea
Date of intervention
Normal Sali
ne
Mint
Figure 2. The severity of nausea during the 4 days of intervention in nor-
mal saline and mint groups (4.30 ± 2.39, 3.59 ± 2.52)
It has also been observed that within 7 days after the
intervention, severity of nausea had a decreasing trend
in both groups; however, the intensity was lower in the
mint than the control but not statistically significant .No
meaningful relationship has been detected seven days af-
ter the intervention for the intensity of vomiting.
5. Discussion
According to findings of the present study, mint oil aro-
matherapy has not been effective in reducing gestational
nausea and vomiting; although it led to decline in nau-
sea intensity during the intervention in the mint group
(especially on the fourth night) and after intervention in
both groups (more in the mint group), the difference was
not statistically meaningful, that it could be probably
due to the small sample size used in the study.
Different results have been brought about by studies
conducted on the effect of mint on nausea and vomit-
ing. Some studies have suggested that aromatherapy
can relieve nausea or vomiting in the first trimester of
pregnancy and also during the labor (9,16,17). Researches
indicate an increasing percentage of mint administra-
tion and support it for relieving nausea and vomiting
during pregnancy; in other studies, mint has been used
to reduce the morning sickness during pregnancy in 41%
of cases (18). However, owing to the use of other medica-
tions by patients for symptoms alleviation, no precise
scientific connection was found between aromatherapy
and nausea abatement (11,19).
Other investigations have presented ineffectiveness
of peppermint on gestational nausea and vomiting.In
the same study showed that although ginger, mint and
cannabis have been beneficial to treat nausea and vom-
iting caused by other conditions such as chemotherapy
and surgery but only ginger was as the anti-nausea
drug in pregnancy (20). Similar to the present study,
mint has been ineffective on nausea and vomiting dur-
Effect of Mint Oil on Vomiting During Pregnancy
Pasha H et al.
747
Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2012:14(11)
ing pregnancy in this research. Likewise, Anderson and
colleagues (2004) has reported that peppermint oil has
been effectively useful to reduce the severity of nausea
after the surgery, in which mint was compared with iso-
propyl alcohol and placebo (saline), positive effects of
aromatherapy have been suggested to be mainly associ-
ated to the controlled breathing than the aromatherapy
itself since reducing effect of saline was similar to that of
peppermint and alcohol (21).
On the other hand, Noureddini (2005) demonstrated
that oral use of peppermint essential oil contributes to
reversible reduction in gastric acid secretion in rats and,
therefore, recommended it to patients with gastrointesti-
nal problems (22). The reason behind such a controversy
between the mentioned survey and the present research
may be for types of the study samples used. Due to differ-
ences in the mechanisms existing in human and animals
and, more importantly, dependence of nausea on psy-
chological factors and individual condition, the same
results cannot be observed in animal studies and human
researches. Among the many limitation of the study, par-
ticipants' different responses to mint oil aromatherapy
can be enumerated as it was very pleasant to some and
disgusting to others. Basically, in aromatherapy, each
patient needs to smell a particular odor based on his/
her own social and psychological conditions and reacts
to a specific aroma. Not measuring the hormones level
plausibly affecting the gestational nausea and vomiting,
such as estrogen, progesterone and HCG, was another
constraint of the study; albeit, the probable effect of this
limitation was tried to be declined through the measure-
ment of nausea and vomiting 7 days prior to the interven-
tion. Considering the decreasing trend of the intensity of
nausea during the intervention, and lower rates of nau-
sea 7 days after the intervention in the mint group, more
precise findings can be achieved by further investiga-
tions and larger sample size.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to appreciate Research Deputy
of Babol University of Medical Sciences for financially
supporting the project, and all who sincerely cooperated
in the study.
Funding/Support
None declared.
Financial Disclosure
None declared.
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... Most pregnant women (63.3%) were in the age group of >25 years and 36.7% <25 years of age. The mean ± SD of age was 24.70 ± 3.93, which is in accordance with the study of Ozgoli et al. [48] reported 24.1 ± 4.8 and 23.3 ± 5, Pasha et al. [49] reported 24.8 ± 3.56 and 25.1 ± 4.76, Koren et al. [50] reported 25.9 ± 6 and 25.0 ± 5.7, Biyik and Keskin [51] reported 26.31 ± 6.02 and 25.60 ± 5.55, Haji Seid Javadi et al. [52] reported 26 ± 4.0 and 27 ± 4.2, Joulaeerad et al. [53] reported 26.39 ± 4.27 and 27.79 ± 3.51, Safajou et al. [54] reported 27.15 ± 5.11 and 26.13 ± 4.56, Jafari-Dehkordi et al. [2] reported 27.35 ± 5.19 and 27.81 ± 5.45, Pongrojpaw et al. [55] reported 27.85 + 5.3 and 26.38 + 5.8. ...
... In the present study, 76.7% of pregnant women suffering from NVP were unemployed and 23.3% were employed, which is in consonance with the studies of Moghadam et al. [57] reported being unemployed 100%. Pasha et al. [49] reported 86.7% unemployed and 13.3% employed, Safajou et al. [54] reported 84.4% and 80% unemployed and 15.6% and 20% employed, Jafari-Dehkordi et al. [2] reported 85% and 83.3% unemployed and 15% and 16.7% employed in their studies. ...
... In the present study, 50% of pregnant women suffering from NVP had normal body mass index (BMI), 30% were overweight, 16.6% were obese and 3.3% were underweight. The mean ± SD of BMI is 25.01 ± 4.95, which correlates with the studies of Moghadam et al. [57] reported 25 ± 4.3, Biyik and Keskin [51] reported 23.95 ± 4.76 and 23.72 ± 5.33, Jafari-Dehkordi et al. [2] reported 24.22 ± 1.30 and 24.90 ± 2.02, Haji Seid Javadi et al. [52] reported 24.4 ± 3.4 and 24.3 ± 3, Pasha et al. [49] reported 24.84 ± 2.99 and 25.54 ± 3.81, Pongrojpaw et al. [55] reported 21.38 + 3.4 and 20.87 + 2.9, and Koren et al. [50] reported 28.77 ± 7.60 and 29.67 ± 11.20, respectively in two groups. ...
... The stress scores decreased significantly in both groups, with the experimental group showing a more pronounced reduction. Stress can interfere with gastric acid secretion control, leading to increased nausea and vomiting [36] . 4.6. ...
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Objective: To investigate the role of acupressure therapy in helping pregnant women with HG reduce the frequency or severity of vomiting and relieve stress and anxiety. Method: A quantitative study with a quasi-experimental design and non-equivalent group design was used. Sixty-six valid data points were obtained from pregnant mothers diagnosed with HG in a general hospital in Linyi City. These pregnant women received either acupressure (n = 33) or general therapeutic care (n = 33). They completed standardized questionnaires designed to assess vomiting, anxiety, and stress levels. Results: Data showed no differences between the experimental and control groups before the intervention. After the intervention, there were significant differences in anxiety (P ≤ 0.05) and stress (P ≤ 0.05) scores between the two groups. However, there was no significant difference in vomiting scores (P > 0.05) between the two groups after the intervention. The anxiety and stress scores of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group post-intervention, while the vomiting scores of the two groups were similar. Conclusion: The findings suggest that acupressure significantly reduces anxiety and stress in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and also helps reduce vomiting. Acupressure presents a viable clinical option for pregnant women seeking relief from HG symptoms.
... However, human studies demonstrated no significant effects of peppermint aromatherapy in pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Pasha et al. reported no significant reduction in nausea and vomiting in pregnant subjects, with mint oil, as compared to the control group [37]. Similarly, Joulaeerad et al. found no significant difference between the anti-emetic effects of peppermint aromatherapy and almond oil (used as placebo) in women with nausea and vomiting [38]. ...
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Since the human body has a very complex anatomical structure, there are many parameters when it comes to disease and health. Among the parameters in question, many parameters such as the individual’s current immune system, fatigue, depression, and the structure of the body’s blood vessels are eff ective. Th e way to these eff ective parame ters is through learning the human anatomical structure. For this reason, from the existence of humanity until today, eff orts regarding human disease and health have been realized thanks to the science of anatomy. Th e science of anatomy began with the existence of humanity. Since all anatomical studies and eff orts from ancient times to the present day aim to improve the quality of human life, anatomy is a branch of science that paves the way for complementary medicine. Anatomy is a complex and dynamic fi eld that is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made. In recent years, there has been a signifi cant increase in the use of advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans, which provide more detailed and accurate imag ing of body anatomical structures, making signifi cant contributions to both anatomical science and complementary medicine. Learning the anatomical structure of the human body provides the individual with the ability to interpret 85-90% of all diseases. Prof. Dr. Vatan KAVAK
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Latar Belakang: Pada awal kehamilan ibu hamil biasanya mengalami ketidaknyamanan dan keluhan, salah satunya adalah mual dan muntah pada kehamilan yang diperkirakan dialami 70-80% perempuan hamil. Mereka menghindari obat-obatan medis sejauh mungkin karena khawatir adanya efek teratogenik potensial, sehingga ada kecenderungan yang meningkat terhadap penggunaan pengobatan herbal. Kurangnya pengetahuan tentang potensi toksisitas dan minimnya keterbukaan saat berinteraksi dengan tenaga medis tentang penggunaan obat herbal dapat berdampak buruk pada ibu dan janin. Tujuan: Tujuan Penulisan ini dilakukan adalah untuk mengidentifikasi tentang pengaruh intervensi obat herbal untuk menurunkan skor mual dan muntah pada kehamilan berdasarkan hasil uji coba terkontrol secara acak yang telah dilakukan oleh peneliti-peneliti sebelumnya. Metode: Penelitian literatur review ini dilakukan menggunakan dua database (Science Direct dan Google Scholar). Pencarian artikel dilakukan berdasarkan format Patient-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome (PICO). Pencarian ini menggunakan kata kunci dengan kombinasi boolean. Kualitas artikel dinilai dengan menggunakan Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Cheklist for Randomised Controlled Trial. Hasil: Dari 11 artikel yang telah dinilai atau review didapatkan 8 artikel dengan uji coba jahe, 2 artikel menggunakan peppermint dan 1 artikel menggunakan lemon, sebagai intervensi dalam percobaan uji klinis untuk meringankan gejala mual dan episode muntah. Kesimpulan: Dalam review ini kami menemukan beberapa bukti konsisten bahwa terapi non-farmakologis jahe dan lemon efektif dalam mengurangi gejala mual dan muntah. Namun, tetap perlu dilakukan penelitian lebih lanjut untuk memperkuat evidence based.
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This case study examines a variety of aromatherapy treatments offered to twenty-five patients suffering from the symptom of nausea in a hospice and palliative care program, using a synergistic blend of Pimpinella anisum (aniseed), Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha x piperita (peppermint). Outcomes were measured using the Bieri scale, a visual-numeric analogue. A majority of patients who used the aromatherapy treatments reported relief. However, all patients in this study were also using a variety of other treatments for their symptoms. While it is therefore impossible to establish a clear scientific link between the aromatherapy treatments and the nausea relief, this case study suggests that the oils used in this aromatherapy treatment were successful complements to the relief of this symptom.
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To investigate the patterns of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use among pregnant women in the National Health Insurance program in Taiwan. Women who gave birth in Taiwan in 2006 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Claims for reimbursement following TCM ambulatory visits by these women were analyzed. In total, 20.9% of women in the study who gave birth in 2006 used TCM during pregnancy, with older women more likely to utilize this form of care (23.9% of women >35 years of age vs 16.2% of women <20 years of age). There was an increase in the use of TCM for pregnancy-related problems such as hypertension (194 women before pregnancy vs 2163 during) and nausea/vomiting (220 women before vs 1648 during). The predominant modality (88.4%) of TCM treatment during pregnancy was herbal preparation. Traditional Chinese medicine, with the exception of acupuncture, is popular among pregnant women in Taiwan. In addition to its efficacy, the safety of TCM during pregnancy requires future investigation.
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More than 70 percent of all pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, and 28 percent report that symptoms cause them to change their usual activities. We investigated the magnitude of problems that nausea and vomiting impose on the lifestyle of pregnant women and their families. Twenty-seven women who were experiencing different degrees of nausea and vomiting were selected from 147 pregnant women and asked to participate in semistructured telephone interviews. All participants reported changes in family, social, or occupational functioning as a result of these symptoms. Nausea and vomiting can impose substantial lifestyle limitations on pregnant women that can have short- and long-term consequences for them and their families. Both the duration and severity of symptoms were greater for many participants than is generally believed. All participants reported that recumbent rest or dietary alterations provided relief. Caregivers should recognize and validate the need for pregnant women to make changes in lifestyle that will enable them to achieve comfort.
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Fifty-nine women completed a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study of pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Thirty-one patients received vitamin B6, 25-mg tablets orally every 8 hours for 72 hours, and 28 patients received placebo in the same regimen. Patients were categorized according to the presence of vomiting: severe nausea (score greater than 7) or mild to moderate nausea (score of 7 or less). The severity of nausea (as graded on a visual analogue scale of 1-10 cm) and the number of patients with vomiting over a 72-hour period were used to evaluate response to therapy. Twelve of 31 patients in the vitamin B6 group had a pre-treatment nausea score greater than 7 (severe) (mean 8.2 +/- 0.8), as did ten of 28 patients in the placebo group (mean 8.7 +/- 0.9) (not significant). Following therapy, there was a significant difference in the mean "difference in nausea" score (ie, baseline - post-therapy nausea) between patients with severe nausea receiving vitamin B6 (mean 4.3 +/- 2.1) and placebo (mean 1.8 +/- 2.2) (P less than .01). In patients with mild to moderate nausea and in the group as a whole, no significant difference between treatment and placebo was observed. Fifteen of 31 vitamin B6-treated patients had vomiting before therapy, compared with ten of 28 in the placebo group (not significant). At the completion of 3 days of therapy, only eight of 31 patients in the vitamin B6 group had any vomiting, compared with 15 of 28 patients in the placebo group (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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The principal aim of the study was to examine the contribution of aromatherapy to the promotion of maternal comfort during labor and as a tool to improve the quality of midwifery care. Evaluative study. Delivery suite in a large British teaching hospital with approximately 6,500 deliveries per annum. A total of 8,058 mothers were evaluated between 1990 and 1998. Women were offered aromatherapy to relieve anxiety, pain, nausea and/or vomiting or to strengthen contractions. Routine data collected on the use of aromatherapy over the period were analyzed. Data from the unit audit were used to provide a comparison group of mothers not given aromatherapy (n = 15,799) from the study center. Outcome measures include mothers' ratings of effectiveness, outcomes of labor, use of pharmacologic pain relief, uptake of intravenous oxytocin, reported associated symptoms, and annual costs. The use of aromatherapy during childbirth was an increasingly popular care option with mothers and midwives. More than 50% of mothers rated it as helpful, and only 14% found it unhelpful. The use of aromatherapy was not confined to low-risk mothers. Sixty percent of the sample were primigravidae, and 32% overall had had their labor induced. The administration of aromatherapy in childbirth did appear to reduce the need for additional pain relief in a proportion of mothers. More than 8% of primigravidae and 18% of multigravidae used no conventional pain relief during labor after using essential oils. During the years of the study, the use of pethidine in the study center declined from 6% to 0.2% of women. The study also showed that aromatherapy may have the potential to augment labor contractions for women in dysfunctional labour. A very low number of associated adverse symptoms were reported (1%). This study represents a successful example of the integration of a complementary therapy into mainstream midwifery practice and forms a basis for future research.
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A literature survey investigating the use of herbs to treat morning sickness, with particular reference to what is known about their safety. All major English language medical, nursing and scientific databases as well as 300 World Wide Web sites, Internet newsgroups, books and magazines were searched for information about the use and safety of herbs in pregnancy. A search of medical databases failed to locate any articles which specifically reported investigations of the safety of herbs used during pregnancy. Of 300 non-medical sources studied 75 cited the use of herbs in pregnancy. The most commonly cited herbs for morning sickness were ginger, chamomile, peppermint and raspberry leaf (55, 37, 44 and 63% cited respectively). There was no consensus in the popular literature about whether or not each of these herbs was safe for use in pregnancy. Seven sources (6%) cited chamomile and peppermint as unsafe, while 16 (12%) cited the use of ginger and 11 (15%) the use of raspberry leaf as unsafe during pregnancy. Herbal remedies are often seen as safe, 'drug-free' treatments for morning sickness. However, the contradictory information and dearth of original research related to their safety indicates that these compounds should be used with caution.
Article
The authors report the process and results of an evaluation of a midwifery aromatherapy service for mothers in labour: This study of 8058 mothers in childbirth, is the largest research initiative in the use of aromatherapy within a health-care setting. The study involved a wide range of participants, from mothers who experienced a low risk, spontaneous labour and birth, to those whose labour was induced, and those who had vaginal operative delivery and Caesarean section. The study-took place over a period of 8 years, which enabled a more challenging test of the effect of aromatherapy on intrapartum midwifery practice and outcomes. In the study a total of 10 essential oils were used, plus a carrier oil, which were administered to the participants via skin absorption and inhalation. The study found little direct evidence that the practice of aromatherapy per se reduces the need for pain relief during labour, or the incidence of operative delivery. But a key finding of this study suggests that two essential oils, clary sage and chamomile are effective in alleviating pain. The evidence from this study suggests that aromatherapy can be effective in reducing maternal anxiety, fear and/or pain during labour. The use of aromatherapy appeared to facilitate a further reduction in the use of systemic opioids in the study centre, from 6% in 1990 to 0.4% in 1997 (per woman). Aromatherapy is an inexpensive care option. In 1997 when 1592 mothers used aromatherapy, the total cost was 769.17 Pounds. The study reports a minimal incidence of associated symptoms. Out of 8058 mothers, 1% (100) recorded an associated symptom. These were mild in nature. The successful model of integrated practice that this aromatherapy study presents, offers a useful example for other units to consider.
Article
The majority of North American pregnant women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting, usually in the first few months of pregnancy. Women utilize many coping strategies, including self-treatment with herbal medicine and other alternative therapies. In a qualitative study of self-care in pregnancy, birth and lactation within a non-random sample of 27 women in British Columbia, Canada, 20 women (74%) experienced pregnancy-induced nausea. Ten of these women used anti-emetic herbal remedies, which included ginger, peppermint, and Cannabis. The safety and efficacy of each of these herbal remedies is discussed here. Only ginger has been subjected to clinical trials among pregnant women, though all three herbs were clinically effective against nausea and vomiting in other contexts, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and post-operative nausea. While safety concerns exist in the literature for all three herbs with regards to their use by pregnant women, clinical evidence of harm is lacking.