Risk, pregnancy and complementary and alternative medicine

Since the 1990's sociologists such as Giddens1 and Beck2 have highlighted the complexities of contemporary western societies in relation to risk. The “risk society” is one in which the advantages of scientific and technological developments are overshadowed with risks and dangers: leading to a world dominated by anxiety and uncertainty.2,3 Although a complex set of interrelated phenomena the risk society can be summarised under three main changes: including globalisation, scepticism about expert knowledge, Thompson4: 27 and the degree of autonomy individuals have in our detraditionalised society to determine their own life choices (Beck5: 13). The discourses of the “risk society” inevitably impact on women during pregnancy and the potential influence this discourse may have in relation to healthcare choices, particularly in the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are explored.In this paper it is argued that the apparently growing use of CAM during pregnancy and childbirth could be interpreted as a response by women to these discourses, that decisions made with regard to CAM may signify a desire for personal fulfilment and a need for autonomy and active participation in healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth.