01.29.10
Roughly 10% of pregnant women use some form of herbal products, according to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The prevalence of reported herbal use three months before or during pregnancy was 10.9%. During pregnancy, prevalence was 9.4% and was highest in the first trimester.
Researchers estimated the prevalence and patterns of herbal use among U.S. women before and during pregnancy based on data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study—an ongoing, population-based, case-control study. Analysis included 4239 women from 10 centers in the U.S. who delivered infants without major birth defects from 1998–2004.
Higher prevalence was associated with age greater than 30 years and education greater than 12 years. Use varied considerably by state (5–17%). Ginger and ephedra were the most commonly reported products early in pregnancy; teas and chamomile were most commonly reported throughout pregnancy.
Potentially 395,000 U.S. births annually involve antenatal exposure to herbal products. Researchers concluded that healthcare providers should inquire routinely about herbal use and educate patients about what little is known regarding risks of these products.