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Women's use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: Narratives of transformation

Mitchell, Dr Mary; Mitchell, Mary

Women's use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: Narratives of transformation Thumbnail


Authors

Dr Mary Mitchell

Mary Mitchell



Abstract

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Background: Pregnancy and childbirth constitute a time of transition in women's lives. Many women turn to complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) during pregnancy. However, little is known about women's experiences of CAM in relation to their pregnancy and childbirth journey. Methods: a narrative study aimed to gain insight into the experiences of women who use CAM in pregnancy and to explore the contribution CAM made to their pregnancy and childbirth journey. Interviews were conducted with 14 women who had used a range of CAMs during pregnancy and birth. Data analysis focussed on the meaning and significance of CAM use in pregnancy and a number of core themes emerged. Results: This paper presents some findings from this research which reveals a narrative genre that can be defined as transformational. CAM has a positive transformational effect on women's experience of pregnancy and childbirth. Conclusion: Women's narratives illustrate the positive impact of CAM on the subjective experiences of pregnancy and childbirth.

Citation

Mitchell, D. M., & Mitchell, M. (2016). Women's use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: Narratives of transformation. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 23, 88-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.05.006

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 6, 2015
Publication Date May 1, 2016
Deposit Date Jun 23, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Print ISSN 1744-3881
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 23
Pages 88-93
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.05.006
Keywords complementary and alternative medicine, pregnancy, holism, narrative
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/843530
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.05.006

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