The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for the 'Pregnancy' Category

Avoid marijuana during pregnancy and breast feeding

Friday, June 26th, 2015

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has published its position on use of pot during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

The bottom line.

Yes, there are limitations in the available data about marijuana’s effects on the fetus during pregnancy and on the neonate during lactation. However, ACOG has seen enough to recommend that during pregnancy and during breast feeding to advise “discontinuation of maternal use [of marijuana], whether recreational or medicinal.”

There are no FDA-approved indications regarding marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation. Also, there are no standardized formulations, dosages, or delivery systems. Smoking, the most common route of administration of THC, cannot be medically condoned during pregnancy and lactation, according to ACOG.

The use of marijuana during pregnancy is associated with lower scores on tests of attention, coordination, and behavior in offspring.

6/25/15 JR

Effect of prenatal iron on pregnancy outcomes

Saturday, July 13th, 2013

nude-pregnancyIron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional deficiency in the world.

Researchers form Boston and London reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Review: Acupuncture for women undergoing in vitro fertilization

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013

nude-pregnancyResearchers at the Center for Integrative Medicine, at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, reviewed the effects of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates when added to in vitro fertilization. (more…)

Safety of taking ginger while pregnant

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

The most common use of ginger during pregnancy is to help relieve symptoms of queasiness and nausea.

Researchers at the University of Bergen, in Norway reviewed its safety in these women. (more…)

Dog and cat exposure and the risk of respiratory symptoms and infections

Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

Researchers in Finland and Germany studied the first year of life. (more…)

Exercise during pregnancy

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in Trondheim, assessed whether exercise during pregnancy might prevent gestational diabetes and improves insulin resistance. (more…)

Influence of maternal DHA supplements on infant morbidity

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Researchers in the US and Mexico studied the effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on immune function and inflammation. (more…)

Physiotherapy following cesarean section

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

Researchers at Mugla University, in Turkey, investigated the effects of physiotherapy on incision pain and functional activities. (more…)

Use of herbal supplements by pregnant women

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

Researchers at the University of Oslo, in Norway, studied the use of herbal supplements by pregnant Norwegian women. (more…)

Acupuncture in Ob/Gyn

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Acupuncture is often recommended for obstetrical and gynecological (Ob/Gyn) conditions.

Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Acupuncture for pain relief during labor

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Researchers at the University of Oxford, in the UK, assessed the role of acupuncture for epidural pain. (more…)

Safety of vitamin D during pregnancy

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, studied healthy expectant mothers. (more…)

Review: CAM options to induce labor

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

Researchers at Monash University, in Victoria, Australia, examined the scientific evidence for the use of CAM to stimulate labor. (more…)

Vitamin A and the risk of asthma

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Animal research suggests that a vitamin A deficiency adversely affects lung development and promotes airway hyper-responsiveness, which may predispose to asthma.

Now, researchers at Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, in Maryland, examined the long-term effects of vitamin A supplementation early in life on asthma risk. (more…)

Taking “medical food” during pregnancy

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

Researchers in the US and Mexico studied the value of taking supplements with a medical food — bars containing L-arginine + antioxidant vitamins — on the risk of pre-eclampsia. (more…)

The effect of prenatal folic acid on language in children

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

An international group of researchers examined the association between mothers’ use of prenatal folic acid supplements and the risk of severe language delay in their children at age 3 years. (more…)

Music therapy for preterm infants and mothers

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Researchers at Meir Medical Center, in Kfar Saba, Israel, studied the response to live harp music therapy and kangaroo care in the neonatal intensive care unit. (more…)

Aromatherapy for pain during labor?

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

Many women want to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management during labor, and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management.

In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia, evaluated the evidence supporting the aromatherapy for pain management in labor. (more…)

A systematic review of reflexology

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

ReflexologyTherapy[1]Prof. Ernst has reviewed all the studies. (more…)

Hydrotherapy promotes relaxation and less anxiety and pain in labor

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Researchers at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina, studied the response to hydrotherapy (immersion or bathing) in women in spontaneous labor. (more…)