Pregnant women and health professional's perceptions of complementary alternative medicine, and participation in a randomised controlled trial of acupressure for labour onset

• Participants' and health professionals' perceptions of CAM and feasibility RCT of acupressure for labour onset participation examined.
• Similar themes emerged from the participants randomised to acupressure and standard care.
• Similar themes emerged between participants and health professionals.
• The RCT protocol will be refined with a placebo group to improve equipoise with a powered RCT.

Feasibility randomised controlled trials of complementary medicine are important to evaluate acceptability and practicality. This study examined participants' and health professionals' perceptions of CAM and participation in a feasibility RCT of acupressure for labour onset.MethodsA qualitative study incorporated within an RCT. Data were collected from postnatal women via questionnaires and health professionals via focus groups.ResultsFour themes emerged from the women's views: “Using CAM to start labour”, “Feeling empowered through action”, “Desiring randomisation to acupressure group”, and “Welcoming the opportunity to assist in research”. Five themes emerged from the health professionals' views: “Personal awareness and attitudes towards CAM”; “Supporting and empowering women”; “Complements the wellness model of pregnancy and childbirth”; “Need for evidenced based practice”; and “Randomisation 'doing it on the sly'”.ConclusionsThemes from the groups were similar. The study protocol will be refined with a placebo group to improve equipoise with a powered RCT planned.