Homeopathy for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond

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The miracle of childbirth can be a beautiful and challenging experience. Throughout this article we will look at how Homeopathy can help support acute conditions which may appear. Homeopathic remedies can help support women through the phases of childbirth, especially profound when a woman is facing the most challenging and intense moments on both physical and mental/emotional levels before giving birth.

What is homeopathy?

The word homeopathy comes from Greek and means ‘similar suffering.’ It was developed by a German Physician and Chemist, Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) over 200 years ago.

The homeopathic concept of ‘like cures like’ dates back 2,500 years to the writings of Hippocrates. What this means is that remedies are made, in minuscule amounts, of the same substance that would cause the symptoms.

For example: In homeopathy, a remedy derived from the hot chilli pepper can be used to alleviate nasty burning sensations, such as heartburn, which is common during pregnancy.

Is homeopathy safe to use during childbirth?

Homeopathy is perfectly safe to use during pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal period and for breastfeeding mums and their babies. It is one of many natural therapies that can enhance your body’s own healing ability, bringing balance and well-being and in most cases the elimination of symptoms and overall improvement in health.

Homeopathy is very safe because it uses immeasurably small amounts of active ingredients that help stimulate your body’s own ability to heal itself. The remedies are derived mainly from plants and minerals. The active ingredient is diluted many times and shaken vigorously to produce the remedy. They are inexpensive and usually come in different potencies and take the form of sugar or lactose pillules.

Unlike conventional drugs, homeopathic remedies are non-addictive and have no dangerous side effects. Homeopathy doesn’t interfere with conventional medicine and is ideal to use at times when you might not want to use conventional drugs.

Individualised Treatment.

The concept of homeopathy is understanding and treating the whole person. It offers you a truly individual approach to healing and recognises both physical and mental/emotional are interdependent. Each remedy is individually chosen and a single remedy is picked to match your particular symptoms. What this means is that two people with the same symptoms can be prescribed completely different remedies because the treatment is based on you as an individual and not just your symptoms.

Ten Commonly used Remedies for Childbirth and the Postnatal period

Aconite:

Fear and fright = Aconite.

Extreme fear experienced during pregnancy. Contractions feel violent and intense, producing a state of fear and anxiety. Restless, agitated and fearful that they might die. Especially helpful during the transitional phase of labour. The baby appears shocked and unsettled after birth. Very comforting for nervous fathers and grandparents.

Arnica:

Feeling sore and bruised during labour. They may not want to be touched. Relieves soft tissue damage (perineum and abdomen) following birth. Reduces swelling and bruising and risk of infection and promotes healing. Useful to reduce caput/swelling of baby’s head after birth.

Bellis Perennis:

Follows well after Arnica or if Arnica does not ease discomfort. Exceptional for bruised, sore, pelvic pain or abdominal tissues during pregnancy and following birth.

Caulophyllum:

Can be used at term to help strengthen and tone the uterus and prepare and soften the cervix prior to birth. Also helpful if labour pains fail to dilate the cervix and contractions become irregular, short and spasmodic. Used to coordinate and strengthen contractions.

Cimicifuga:

Similar to Caulophyllum. The difference being it helps to produce coordinated contractions while allaying fear and anxiety. Encourages a woman to trust the birth process and open up both emotionally and physically. She may feel unable to endure labour. Common words might be “I can’t do it.” Incredibly useful for women who may have a painful or traumatic memory of a past pregnancy, birth, miscarriage etc.

Gelsemium:

Excellent remedy for dysfunctional labour with failure to progress, especially if the baby is lying in a posterior position. There is weakness and exhaustion and muscles tremble with the effort of movement. Contractions are felt in the back. Especially helpful when there is fear or anticipation of birth. May be useful before birth to help ease anxiety. May also be useful to ease fear and anticipation of birth in fathers and grandparents.

Hypericum:

Shooting, nerve pains following cesarean section or perineal tears and episiotomy.

Kali Carbonicum:

The pain of contractions felt mainly in the back (especially posterior positioned babies). The backache may extend to the buttocks. Feel as if the back would break and back pain is better for hard pressure. Often feels very chilly.

Nux vomica:

For contractions felt in the back that extends to the buttocks and thighs. They feel as if they want to move their bowels or urinate, but nothing much is passed. They are irritable, impatient and easily angered and offended. Sensitive to odours, light and noise. No pressure can be tolerated on the back and pain is worse from pressure (the opposite from Kali Carb).

Staphisagria:

Encourages the quick healing of incisions or lacerated wounds. Useful following incision, penetration or stretching of muscle fibres after catheterisation and episiotomy. Relieves feelings of anger, resentment, disappointment and emotional upset that may follow difficult labour and birth or cesarean section.

Homeopathic Support for Breastfeeding Problems

Homeopathy will greatly help mothers with nursing and breastfeeding difficulties. These include mastitis, painful sore nipples, reduced milk supply, overabundant milk supply and emotional difficulties breastfeeding and bonding with their babies.

Castor Equi

Excellent for cracked and ulcerated nipples.

Lac Caninum

Helps to regulate milk supply if there is not enough milk or to regulate it if there is too much. Especially useful to help ease emotional difficulties if a mother is in conflict with nursing and the sexuality of her breasts.

Phytolacca

For sore, cracked nipples, which hurt when baby-nurses. Also useful for breast infections (mastitis) where there are hard, sore, painful lumps.

Pulsatilla

If there is an overproduction of milk or if milk supply is erratic. The mother may feel very weepy and needs lots of company and reassurance.

Urtica Urens

If the milk production is slow to get going or if there is an over or under production. Can help establish a good milk supply.

Homeopathy offers support in restoring our body’s balance, health, and vitality. It’s recommended for you to seek professional advice from a fully qualified registered homeopath or your GP to ensure you are receiving the best possible treatment to help support you, make sure you visit a homeopath for guidance.

The College of Natural Health & Homeopathy offers NZQA accredited and approved Diplomas in Homeopathy. We have open enrolments, meaning you can start anytime! Studying is done so fully online, part-time, and from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in the world!

Start your journey today in becoming a Homeopathic Practitioner, and apply now for semester one in our NZ Diploma in Acute Prescribing with Homeopathy!

Adapted from source
Home Birth Aotearoa
Louise Bell and Kathy Thomas