Women's
Health
Homoeopathy: Pregnancy
& Childbirth
Homoeopathy in Pregnancy and Childbirth
Homoeopathy is ideal for women in
their child-bearing years as it is a gentle yet highly effective system of
medicine. During pregnancy some women will choose to live with the
discomfort of minor complaints such as morning sickness or heartburn, rather
than seek treatment because they are concerned about the possible side
effects of orthodox medicines with regard to their unborn child.
Homoeopathic medicines cannot cause side effects because only a minute
amount of the active ingredient is used in their preparation. They work by
stimulating the body’s own healing powers. Homoeopaths recognise that
symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person
and that it is the person who needs treatment rather than the disease alone.
By stimulating the vitality of a pregnant woman, homoeopathic treatment
will automatically benefit her baby. By being as healthy as possible during
pregnancy you are giving your baby the ideal conditions in which to thrive.
Many homoeopaths will advise you on diet and lifestyle to encourage a
healthy pregnancy and birth. Good homoeopathic treatment prior to conception
can help you be as healthy as possible during your pregnancy.
The many physical and emotional changes of pregnancy may cause minor
health problems, such as mild urinary problems, diarrhoea, heartburn,
anaemia, varicose veins, backache, cramps, thrush or emotional distress. All
these problems and more potentially complicated symptoms such as raised
blood pressure or oedema, can still be helped by professional homoeopathic
treatment.
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Where can I buy homoeopathic remedies?
Most whole-food shops and high street
chemists now stock a limited range of frequently use homoeopathic remedies
(in the 6C or 30C potencies). A homoeopathic pharmacy will post remedies
direct (most offer a next day delivery service) and they can make up
remedies in different forms, including soft tablets which are easier to give
to babies.
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What complaints can be treated?
The suggestions in this leaflet are
for minor complaints; if your symptoms are severe or chronic (on-going), or
if they persist, consult a Registered Homoeopath, your midwife and/or your
General Practitioner. If you are undergoing a course of homoeopathic
treatment then contact your practitioner before prescribing for yourself.
Morning Sickness: - Symptoms of morning sickness include nausea,
occasional vomiting and tiredness. Many women experience these symptoms
during the first three months of pregnancy, usually in the morning when the
stomach is empty, although it can occur at any time of the day and some
women may feel sick the whole day.
The traditional cure of eating a dry biscuit before getting out of bed is
worth trying. Avoid rich, fatty foods and try eating little and often if
your nausea is worse when you are hungry.
Seek professional help if your vomiting is severe, for example if you are
unable to keep food down and are losing weight, or if it persists past your
third month. The following remedies are the more commonly indicated:
- Ipecac: - constant, deathly nausea with empty belching and retching.
Vomiting is difficult and provides no relief (from the nausea). The
tongue looks clean.
- Nux vomica: - nausea with retching that is relieved by vomiting; sour
belching, retching, indigestion and heartburn; there may be a sensation
that there is a knot in the stomach. Feels very irritable.
- PulsatiIla: - nausea (with little vomiting) which is worse after
eating and drinking; and better in the fresh air and for company; feels
generally weepy, moody and is better for being comforted.
- Sepia: - intermittent nausea which is worse in the mornings and worse
for the smell or thought of food; there is an empty, sinking feeling in
the stomach which is temporarily relieved by eating; feels apathetic,
exhausted and heavy but oddly is better for vigorous exercise.
Indifferent or cross with children and partner.
Constipation in pregnancy: - Constipation is common in pregnancy as the
hormones which prepare the muscles of the pelvis for labour can slow the
digestive processes down. Mild constipation can often be helped by adjusting
the diet: increase the intake of fluids (especially water), fruits and
vegetables; go easy on wheat products (as the gluten can have a clogging
effect) and avoid iron tablets.
Any lasting change in your usual pattern of bowel movements should be
assessed professionally, but for a simple case of constipation in pregnancy
try one of the following remedies:
- Bryonia: large, hard, dry stools which are difficult to expel; with a
headache which is worse for the slightest movement and irritability.
- Nux vomica: frequent urging to pass a stool but cannot, in spite of
straining, or passes only small amounts each time; feels as if some is
left behind; with piles that itch and bleed.
- Sepia: strains to pass a large, hard stool. Stomach feels full and
there is a sensation of a lump in the rectum that may remain even after
passing a stool. Feels generally sluggish.
- Sulphur: constipation with piles that itch and burn and are worse for
heat.
Generally restless, thirsty and sensitive to the heat.
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How do I take a homoeopathic remedy?
As a general guide, take one dose of
your selected remedy three times daily for up to three days. Stop as and
when you feel better. Sometimes, say, during or after labour, you may find
that you are wanting to take a remedy more often or you way want to take
more than one remedy in a single day. This is fine, you can change your
remedies according to your needs, as long as you do not take more than one
remedy at a time. When giving birth, you may require different remedies at
each stage of the process.
Let tablets dissolve under the tongue. Hard tablets maybe chewed if they
do not dissolve. If possible, avoid drinking, smoking or brushing your teeth
10 minutes before and after taking a remedy (if possible).
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What about diet?
During pregnancy it is especially
important to eat well, from a wide range of foods — as this will provide
you with the extra trace minerals and vitamins that you need. If you are on
a restricted diet or wish to take vitamin and mineral supplements then it is
important that you do so on the advice of a competent medical practitioner,
nutritionist or homceopath. Do avoid smoking, alcohol and coffee, as these
are all bad for your health and that of your unborn child.
Be sure to get plenty of rest and sleep, and to exercise regularly; any
exercise that you enjoy will be good for you! Yoga has been found to be
particularly helpful during pregnancy. Increase your intake of iron-rich
foods to keep up with an increased demand. Foods rich in iron include green,
leafy vegetables, blackstrap molasses, dried peaches and apricots, beans and
lentils, whole grains, seeds (sunflower and pumpkin) and nuts, eggs, wheat
bran and brewer’s yeast.
Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron so take a fresh citrus drink with
a meal to increase your iron intake. Avoid tea, especially with a meal, as
it actually prevents iror from being absorbed. Iron tablets often have
side-effects such as constipation so ask your homoeopath about safe
homoeopathic alternatives if you need extra iron and are not able to get it
from your diet.
Many of the above foods (especially black-eye beans, wheat germ, brewer’s
yeast, blackstrap molasses and peanuts) are also high in folic acid, an
important trace mineral that helps with the absorption of iron and is
essential for a healthy pregnancy.
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How can homoeopathy help during the birth?
There are many effective remedies
that can help deal with possible problems during childbirth, such as a
cervix which is slow to dilate, pain, excessive bleeding, retained placenta
and other difficulties. These need to be prescribed by an experienced
homeopath. Ask your homoeopath if he or she can attend the birth, or ask if
they will supply a labour kit with instructions so that your partner can
give them to you during the labour. The following remedies are often needed,
both during and after labour, so if you are new to homoeopathy or unable to
consult a homoeopath then start out with these.
- Aconite: the labour is too fast (any stage), the pains are very strong
(even unbearable) and there is a feeling of panic.
- Arnica: this wonderful remedy can be given from time to time during
any labour to help the muscles function properly, and to relieve the
over-exertion of labour.
- KaIi phosphoricum: for simple exhaustion during labour.
- Caullophyllum: the labour is not progressing, the cervix is slow to
dilate, the pains are strong but ineffective and move about. Women feel
cold and trembly. NB Do not take CaulIophyllum during your pregnancy
without consulting a professional homoeopath.
- Pulsatilla: contractions are irregular and weak, the cervix is slow to
dilate and women feel miserable, clingy and tearful. They talk about
wanting to give up and go home!
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Healing after the birth
After the birth you can use
homoeopathic remedies to speed healing for yourself and your baby - this
will help you to enjoy the whole experience more.
- Aconite: for shock from fear or the intensity of birth, in mothers,
babies or partners.
- Arnica: relieves soreness and bruising and helps with after pains. It
is also helpful for babies who are bruised (from a long labour or a
forceps delivery). If you are still sore after three days then take
Bellis perennis to help with bruising to deep muscle tissues. Arnica may
also be taken after a fall or accident while you are pregnant.
- KaIi phosphoricum: mental exhaustion after the birth with headache;
insomnia, sleepy but too excited to sleep, especially in the first day
or two after the birth.
- Pulsatilla: post-natal ‘blues’, especially when the milk comes in;
feels utterly miserable and bursts into tears at the slightest thing;
feels much better for being comforted.
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Can homoeopathy help with breastfeeding problems?
Yes it can. There are some problems
that can make it difficult for women to breastfeed successfully including
mastitis, painful nipples and a slow milk supply.
Homoeopaths recognise that breast milk gives babies a good start in life,
so do keep in touch with your midwife, breastfeeding counsellor and/or your
homoeopath if you are wanting to breastfeed and finding it painful or
difficult or both.
One useful remedy is Phytolacca for sore, cracked nipples which hurt when
the baby nurses. It is also useful for breast infections (mastitis) where
there are painful lumps in the breast.
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Treating Babies
Babies tend to respond quickly to
homoeopathic treatment. There are homoeopathic remedies to help relieve the
pains of colic or teething (ChamomilIa teething granules are frequently
effective), nappy rash and as well as for more serious problems. You will
need to consult a homoeopath if you want homoeopathic treatment for your
baby.
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Recommended Reading
Homoeopathy for Mother and Baby by Miranda Castro
(Papermac 1992)
-
Homoeopathic Medicines for Pregnancy and Childbirth by Richard
Moskowitz
(North Atlantic Books 1 992)
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How do I find a homoeopath?
To find a good homoeopath consult the
Register of The Society of Homoeopaths. All homoeopaths registered with the
Society practice in accordance with a Code of Ethics and Practice, have
professional insurance, and have passed stringent academic and clinical
assessments before being admitted to the Register.
Source: - The Society of Homoeopaths
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This page was last updated on 19 October 2006 11:17:07
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