Midwives and obstetricians may need formal training in complementary therapies because they are becoming so popular among pregnant women, researchers have warned.
Acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic and herbs all get involved during pregnancy and childbirth, midwife researchers discovered.
In Germany almost all obstetric departments offer acupuncture or homeopathy, researchers found.
And in Australia, New Zealand and the USA more than 70 per cent of midwifes make use of alternative therapies.
The latest analysis brings together surveys of more than 3,000 midwives and obstetricians in those countries as well as the UK and Israel.
Researchers found that few professionals had training in these topics – in spite of supporting them – and many did not understand the risks they might pose to pregnant women.
The findings are reported in the Journal of Advanced Nursing.
Researcher Dr Jon Adams, of the University of Queensland, Australia, said: "Our study suggests that, in general, midwives have a more positive view of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) than obstetricians – and that understandings and perceptions of CAM appear to be closely linked with wider notions of professionalism and professional identity.
"In particular, the holistic nature of CAM has a close affinity with the philosophy, professional goals and care perspectives of many midwives."
He said several professional nursing and midwifery organisations were already pressing for alternative therapies to be included in training.
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