Risk management standards in midwifery are no substitute for personal knowledge and accountability

Integration of complementary therapies in maternity practice is an ever growing field. Midwives have burgeoning interest in and are increasingly using complementary therapies within their practice. Issues regarding knowledge and safety remain essential within midwifery care. It is possible that the use of complementary therapies during pregnancy is not always based on a foundation of adequate knowledge and therefore may not be completely safe. Risk management is essential, both within conventional maternity care and where there is integration of new practices, to ensure that client safety is paramount. In order for integration of complementary therapies into maternity care to be safe and effective policies must be developed based on a sound evidence base, parameters of practice must be clear institutionally and for individual practitioners, and education and training needs must be met.