Table 1.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

1. Use of qualitative methods for data collection including focus group discussions or in-depth interviews

2. Focus on the use of complementary medicine products as defined operationally above

3. Described CMP use in pregnancy and/or lactation

4. CMPs were used by the woman for the benefit of her own health in pregnancy, the pregnancy itself, the baby and/or the breastfeeding process

5. Information sources the woman accessed with regards to the CMPs used are reported

6. Health literacy, or related concepts, were discussed

Exclusion criteria

• Pre-conceptual folic acid supplementation only

• Trials of CMPs in pregnancy or lactation (trial would have been the information source on the CMP studied)

• Information sources not clearly identifiable

• Potential information sources identified by the authors, but not clearly identified by participants

• Data not collected from pregnant and breastfeeding women themselves

• Data only collected from health care practitioners

• Study protocols or social marketing campaigns

• Overview or commentary papers on CAM modalities, philosophies or practices regarding women’s health

• Overview or commentary papers on biomedical maternity care philosophies

• Commentary papers on CMP use or the lack of uptake of recommended nutritional supplements in pregnancy, including iron, folic acid and iodine.

• Studies where CMPs were given directly to infants, and not the breastfeeding mothers

• Studies focussing on CAM use to treat infertility