Complications of Complication of Drinking Cinnamon to Induce Labor - Essay Example

COMPLICATION OF DRINKING CINNAMON TO INDUCE LABOR Literature Review of Introduction The literature review is divided into two basic parts. The first part will include a description of the references that are validly viable for the cause of the literature. Basically, this section considers a justification of viability of the study materials in use in this literature. Each reviewed reference will be effectively analyzed in line with the requirements of the subject topic in this case. A critique of the studies will effectively be done for the reason of determining the soundness of the information so contained in the references and its reliability to the objectives of the study. It will be important to summarize the literature findings to determine the level of contribution of the literature materials to the subject objectives. The second part of the literature review will consider the theoretical framework of the study which will provide guidelines for the hypotheses and variables used as well as the study design. Data Bases and the Search Engines There was an extensive search for literature that had a basis on finding the studies that relate to the study topic as well as the set objectives. The identified search engines relating to the cause of the study were MedlinePlus, American Pregnancy Association, Pubmed, Embase and Google. All these were effectively found to contain information on the subject matter in view of the objectives set. Support was also sought elsewhere with consideration that information and data keeps changing based on changes in levels of medical inventions. In this regard, explanation for the phenomena found in these search engines was searched in medical journal articles, books and periodicals. More support for the materials in the engines was sufficiently found in view of contextually finding current theoretical information on the same topic. These also aided in determining relevant citations for the same cause. The search was aided by having specific search terms; cinnamon sticks, induced labor, child birth, cinnamon adverse effects, complications of drinking cinnamon and pregnant women. The results under consideration were also limited by factors such as language in which those done in English were the only ones considered. Moreover, all the materials were limited to the last fifteen years (2000-2015). However, reservations would be made to this limitation if a historical perspective relevant to the cause of the research was importantly considered. Review of the References The purpose of the study was to ‘identify the complications of drinking cinnamon to induce labor’. Through use of quantitative methods, reference is drawn to an article by Brains et al (2011). The article is presented in his book on qualitative methods and determines the use of statistics obtained through information preserved for the purpose of survey. The research required that patients’ charts are reviewed to verify the information as per the objectives. Charts in patient situation analysis are accurate as it is made by a professional doctor in his practice. The author forwards an understanding that this would be a better method than the qualitative method as it is involving enough to bring forward sufficient application of the information and data analysis in the subsequent methods. Reliability on this article is therefore necessitated by its leadership on quantitative data analysis methods as well as its reference to clinical data collection methods in part. Ernst (2003) presents an article that has a strong collection of information regarding the subject matter. The research was carried out by Medline and Embase searches in the time period 1996-2001. In the introduction of the article, it is noted that in most cases, the use of cinnamon sticks and other herbal medicinal products is done marketed as having dietary effects. The value of use of herbal methods in the USA (1990-1997) was stated to have risen by 380%. The methodology used in the article as carried out by Medline and Embase was a survey method with reference to previous data by use of specified key words. In the search, bibliographies relating to the required data as primarily collected were considered. The information was presented first from a general perspective in which herbal medicine was considered in lactation period before narrowing down to cinnamon sticks was done. The methodology excluded in vitrio studies. Moreover, there were no restrictions to use of language in the article. This spells out the need to specialize in English in this research. The data collection methods were done according to pre-determined methods and the summary done in narrative form. The specified research on the use of the methods was based on patient surveys and therapists’ surveys. Secondly, the specific use of the cinnamon products was done by use of case reports and retrospective surveys. Issues of concern are raised from the idea of there being varying incremental percentages of women using cinnamon to induce labor in different countries (Khan, 2003). The survey was conducted in different countries; USA, South Africa, Nigeria, Australia among others. Part of the summary data on use of cinnamon is established in the table 1 below; Table 1: use of cinnamon sticks in selected countries Country Number Researched % Using Cinnamon Sticks Australia 300 12 Nigeria 1200 12 South Africa 229 55 USA 200 15 Source: MedlinePlus (2006) It was assumed that the percentages would ne representative of the entire populations of the countries under focus. The article then ends by determining statistics for clinical safety of all the herbal methods of labor induction including use of cinnamon sticks. The disadvantage found in the research was that there were no case-effect relationships in which case there were no independent confirmations or plausible action mechanisms available. Akilen, Tsiami, and Devendra (2012) also presented a study with a basis on the findings of MedlinePlus which is a section of the National Library of Medicine. The research, dubbed “cinnamon side effects” reflects on the way the sticks can affect the users with special reference to the pregnant woman. With a word of caution, the paper presents the fact that only professionals are supposed to present dosage for use of cinnamon sticks especially in women that are pregnant. Information as presented by the American pregnancy association in the research indicates that continued use of cinnamon leads to accumulation of toxicity. The effects of cinnamon are presented as cumulative and they are bound to affect the baby being born if there was overuse that would make it move over to the body of the baby. In this case, abrupt uses are not recommended for women that are almost giving birth. To the pregnant women, it has the capability of inducing premature labor. The article states that it induces contractions which lead to relaxation of the uterine walls that starts of the birth process. Cinnamon is said to contain coumarin but the recommended levels of coumarin is a concentration of 0.04%. Some cinnamon however has concentrations of up to 5% which causes liver failure. Cinnamon also causes allergic reactions to the infants having been taken by the mother. This was an open research article that referred its information from Medline (national library of Medicine). Critique The research by Ernst (2003) and published in Medline and Embase had very categorical information about the subject topic. First, the author introduced all the areas of cinnamon use as far as pregnant women in general are concerned; food, nutrition or ‘neutraceuticals’. The same introduction fails to directly move to the aspect of pregnant women at birth time and the effects that cinnamon accords to them. However, the statement of the year of study (1990-1997) indicates that the use of the same was finding its variations because it is stated that during the same time, there was an increase in use of the cinnamon sticks by 380%. This shows new progress levels of use of the inducement. The high incremental percentage may also bring in an indication that almost all women use herbal products in inducing labor apart from cinnamon sticks. It is commendable that the article tried to express the idea that the methods in use are never free of risks and need to be taken seriously by the users in view of observing the usability instructions. The research design takes to account quantitative analysis of the methodology used in the article. The time span for the research as far as the research were concerned was expanded from 1966-2001. This gives a timeline of 35 years that is sufficient enough to state viable changes in the use of the cinnamon sticks in labor induction. Between the stated years, it is noted that further bibliographic scanning was done so that higher levels of specificity is reached. With reference to the study methodology, it is determined that there is a wide berth of research terms that do not necessarily limit themselves to the use of cinnamon sticks alone. The research design applied in this article is that of using predetermined methods of data extraction and the idea that quantitative methods were to be used for analysis makes it possible for an expanded collection. Given that the information was to be summarized as one document, it is noted that much of the conclusive presentation was done in summary form. The use of patient surveys in the research is a direct method of establishing the connectivity between the study objectives and the actual presentation. In essence, the methodology starts by stating the increment level in Finland from 4% to 15% between the years 1985-1988. This was strong preliminary information that is stated. In essence, the article determined that there are more high social class women using cinnamon than the lower social class women. This is in fact an idea moving to the fact that more high class women are able to afford herbal medicinal drugs than the lower class women. However, the aspect of use of cinnamon sticks varies depending on the types of sticks being used. Matan, Rimkeeree and Mawson (2006) was of the view that different categories of cinnamon sticks exists and the lower class people use locally available types as opposed to the recommended high quality cinnamon sticks. The different rates of increase in the women using cinnamon sticks in different countries as indicated by the article is also important in establishing the fact that the global use of the sticks is on the increase. Table 1 shows indications as researched and presented from the perspective of the survey by the patients (mothers at birth time). The therapists’ survey does not also beat the pre-empted structures in which it was stated that cinnamon sticks are hazardous to the health of mothers. The main aspect of this section indicates that the highest percentage of the women who have higher levels of cinnamon sticks effects are those considered being nulliparous. The research however presents many weaknesses. This is just a cause effect relationship in which case has not been fully established medically and the idea that most people use these do not necessarily indicate the side effects associated with the same in large scale. Most of the cases in the article are isolated and may not be considered to be a representation of the whole population even in the countries under focus disregarding that the whole world needs to be considered. The greatest factor that brings the aspect of criticism is the idea of clinical reliability of the data collected in the articles (Hobson, 2011). Therefore, without further reference to other sources, it cannot be absolutely stated that the information above can be depended on as clinically right. From these weaknesses, it was important to note that other resources had to be referred to. Akilen, Tsiami and Devendra (2012) directly presented effects of cinnamon on induction of labor. From the procedural aspects, it is determined that there are several side effects of the cinnamon on the induction of labor. It has however been proven that cinnamon contains part substances that can be critically hazardous to the woman at birth and to the baby even after giving birth (Nahas & Moher, 2009). The risk occurs when high toxicity levels in the mother as a result of high consumption of cinnamon reaches the baby. This is a situation, which has to be avoided at all costs, and it requires that expectant mothers desist from using large amounts of cinnamon sticks in trying to induce labor (Woehrlin, Fry, Abraham, 2010). From a critical perspective therefore, it can be stated that the methodology used in the articles analyzed is sufficiently viable for representative data collection. The study designs involved an effective survey through questionnaires that were duly analyzed for effective comparison with data from other countries and people from different social classes. Therefore, the study designs were effectively chosen as representative of the required information as per the objectives. However, there were quite a number of biases that were reflected in the articles. First, the study was too general and this would not give sufficient information on the effects of cinnamon on specified groups of mothers depending on the rate of usage. Mothers can be first term or experienced and the reasons for inducing labor may vary. All these are not classified in the articles. There are also ethical concerns in this study because it is carried out with emphasis on questionnaires to mothers that had just given birth. In essence, it is not right to have women that just delivered take a questionnaire or an interview as they need their privacy. However, the data analysis processes were very appropriate as there was use of all criteria used in collection and analysis; regression and tabular analysis. This sufficiently represented the information so collected. Therefore, with respect to the methods that were used in the articles, there seems to be a differentiating factor in the required study design in this research. Summary First, the research as determined in the literature majored on finding the effects of using herbal methods of labor inducement. Use of cinnamon sticks was one of the many methods and procedures that were proposed in the study. In essence, it was found that there are many herbal methods of inducing labor. Use of cinnamon sticks was temporarily discussed in the findings of the study. This leaves a gap in concentration on specified elements of cinnamon that makes it hazardous to use in inducing labor. Coumarin was considered as an element of cinnamon but this is not sufficient in determining the viability of my study. However, the literature concentrated on the effects as stipulated by the objectives. The objectives specifically purpose to focus on cinnamon and the women at delivery while the focus of the literature was on pregnant women in general and effects of taking cinnamon and other herbal related substances. To add to the body of research so covered, it has been noted that the aspect of cinnamon and mothers at birth is considered in general and also with consideration of other methods. Not much research was done on cinnamon alone; its contents, how they affect the mother’s pregnancy, the child during and after birth. These are the additional aspects that need to be added to the literature review. Theoretical Framework and study design Design The research will be conducted using quantitative methods, and this will involve the collection of data mainly through checking data from hospital on mothers that use cinnamon. When collecting data, the most important aspects that will be considered are the various observations that will be made concerning the subject matter on the hospital charts. This will ensure that he does not end up relying on the generalized information (Babbie, 2007), instead creating the opportunity to gain an insight concerning the unique circumstances that led to the decision to use this spice. It will be important for the researcher to get directly involved in the study of the subject matter, to the extent of searching data from the charts in the hospital documentation for effective documentation as this data is accurate and from professionals. Focus will be on the use of cinnamon sticks by expectant mothers and their side effects. The literature stated that the rate of use of cinnamon (and other herbal inducers) has increased by over 300%. This means that sufficient information can be traced for the same cause. Theoretical Framework The study design that has been proposed is that which considers the use of quantitative research. The research is bound to be conducted unobtrusively in which case the subjects will not be aware that their information is being used. It will therefore feature the use of the maternity individual charts on the women that used cinnamon sticks to induce labor and the eventual effects realized after that. This type of research has a fit in the grounded theory of unobtrusive research in which naturalism is maintained. Given that the aim of the research is to gather information from the charts in hospitals that are relevant to the study aim, the information will be valuably considered. This research tool will effectively facilitate obtaining of the required information from the primary perspective and apply it to the cause of the study. The design is therefore investigator-directed as is in line with the grounded theory. The charts will be considerably applicable with the time period being the last 15 years. The use of the grounded theory will be for the derivation of the concepts, ideas, relationships and the principles that relates the use of cinnamon sticks and the eventual effects. From this, all trends will effectively be found. Looking at the study designs in this case therefore, the researcher has the opportunity to find the shared views as well as the realities, the attitudes as well as the attached meanings as far as the use of cinnamon sticks and the eventual effects are concerned. References Akilen, R., Tsiami, A., Devendra, D., et al. (2012). Cinnamon in glycaemic control: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr, 31, 609-615. Babbie, E. (2007). The Practice of Social Research (11th edition). Belmont, CA: Thompson, Wadsworth. Brains, C., Willnat, L., Manheim, J. & Rich, R. (2011). Empirical Political Analysis: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods. New York, NY: Longman. Ernst, E. (2003). Herbal medicinal products during pregnancy: are they safe? An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 109(3), 227-235. Hobson, K. (2011). Too many babies being delivered early for no good reason. Wall Street Journal. blogs.wsj.com/health/2011/01/26/too-many-babies-being-delivered-early-for-no-good-reason-report/ Khan, A. et al. (2003). Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 26(12), 3215-3218. Matan, N., Rimkeeree, H., Mawson, A.J., et al (2006). Antimicrobial activity of cinnamon and clove oils under modified atmosphere conditions. Int J Food Microbiol, 107(2), 180-5. Nahas, R., & Moher, M. (2009). Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Can Fam Physician, 55, 591-596. Shields, P. & Rangarjan, N. (2013). A Playbook for Research Methods: Integrating Conceptual Frameworks and Project Management. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press. MedlinePlus. n.d.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health. Cassia cinnamon. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1002.html Woehrlin, F., Fry, H., Abraham, K., et al. (2010). Quantification of flavoring constituents in cinnamon: high variation of coumarin in cassia bark from the German retail market and in authentic samples from Indonesia. J Agric Food Chem, 58, 10568-10575. Yu, C.H., Jannasch-Pennell, A. & DiGangi, S. (2011). Compatibility between Text Mining and Qualitative Research in the Perspectives of Grounded Theory, Content Analysis, and Reliability. The Qualitative Report, 16(3), 730-744. Read More