A national survey of how acupuncture is currently used in midwifery care at Swedish maternity units

Abstract

Objective: it is not known how acupuncture is used in midwifery care in Sweden and what kind of requirements health-care providers have for midwives and acupuncture training programmes. The aims of this study were to survey indications for the use of acupuncture in midwifery care in Sweden, and to examine the criteria and requirements used for purchase of acupuncture education programmes.

Design: a postal survey using a structured questionnaire.

Setting: 45 maternity units in Sweden.

Participants: the midwife-in-charge of the units.

Measurements and findings: the most common indications for the use of acupuncture were relaxation, pain relief, retained placenta, after pains, milk stasis during lactation, hyperemesis and pelvic instability. Specific requirement for acupuncture education were provision of a short course during weekdays including a follow-up course.

Key conclusion: acupuncture is widely used for many indications in Swedish maternity units despite weak or no evidence to support effectiveness in midwifery care. Requirements for acupuncture education did not seem to be in accordance with what might be expected for this type of qualified intervention.

Implications for practice: the use of acupuncture in midwifery care should not persist until systematic evaluation of the effect of this method is carried through.