Intended and actual use of self-medication and alternative products during pregnancy by French women.

OBJECTIVES: (i) To identify the proportion of non-pregnant women intending to use self-medication and self-administered alternative products (dietary supplements, essential oils and herbal teas) in the event of pregnancy, and the proportion of pregnant women using these products. (ii) To describe women's risk perception related to these products and the advice given by health professionals.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. One hundred and twenty-eight women (60 non-pregnant and 68 pregnant women) responded to a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS: The proportion of pregnant women using self-medication was higher than the proportion of non-pregnant women intending to use self-medication (72% vs 48%, P=0.01) and lower for the use of herbal teas (29% vs 63%, P<0.01). There were no differences between the two groups for dietary supplements (25%) and essential oils (18%). Non-prescribed medications were perceived as a risk by 90% of all the women. Dietary supplements were considered as a medication by 68% of pregnant women and 48% of non-pregnant women (P=0.04). Health professionals provided advice for alternative products to 23% of the pregnant women, and 83% of the non-pregnant women expressed the wish to receive advice if they became pregnant.

CONCLUSION: Health professionals should inform women, even before pregnancy, about the safe use of medications and alternative products during pregnancy.