Study about Knowledge and Use of Homeopathy for Pregnancy and Labour in a Primary Care Centre of Madrid

Objectives: Find the degree of knowledge and use of homeopathy among pregnant women and their interest in this therapy for labour.

Methods: A survey is being conducted among pregnant women with low risk before participating in a talk about homeopathy where homeopathy is offered for preparation of labour.

Results: One hundred surveys are expected and preliminary results are available for 40 surveys already received. About 77.5% declared to know homeopathy; however, only 17.5% gave a right answer about what it is. Forty-one percent knew it through relatives and friends and 33% through health professionals. Forty-three percent had ever taken homeopathic medicines and their satisfaction was high. Ninety-one percent considered homeopathy compatible with other drugs, 89% thought it was safe during pregnancy, and 85% were interested. Eighty-three percent were asked for information about preparation for labour and 76% were asked for homeopathic advice during pregnancy. The analysis of the total expected set of surveys will update these preliminary results and provide more information.

Discussion: The contrast between “knowers” and right answers may reflect confusion with other therapies, possibly because frequently information does not come from health professionals. The interest showed by the pregnant women deserves spreading more information and education to both health professionals and general population, so that it is appropriately taken into account for helping during a period when other treatments are contraindicated. At the same time, more clinical studies should be conducted, as the results of the published studies are not yet conclusive.

Keywords: Homeopathy, pregnancy, labour, survey