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