After the birth

This is one area where a combination of simple, practical homeopathic and herbal support can make all the difference in helping to speed up recovery from the physical and emotional roller coaster of childbirth.

As in all other acute health problems, what the appropriate homeopathic support is doing, is just speeding up the healing process that would take place under its own steam anyway. It's just that the results can be quite startling in the immediate days following childbirth, since the symptoms of pain, tenderness and sensitivity are so acute. It's also lovely giving new mothers this advice, since they are so often over the moon with how fast they have recovered, and put the pain behind them as a result of homeopathic help.

BRUISING AND TRAUMA AFTER DELIVERY

What we're looking at here is a combination of the appropriate homeopathic remedy that can be taken internally in tablet form, and a diluted herbal tincture that can be applied externally to the traumatised tissues. This can be used in the form of a compress or added to a bidet and/or bath water for a soothing soak.

Arnica

Where the birth has been straightforward and without complications, this is the first remedy to think offor encouraging bruised, tender and swollen tissues to heal in double-quicktime. Leading features of this remedy include a general feeling of aching, sensitivity and soreness in affected areas. Classic symptoms also include lots of tossing and turning and squirming about in a desperate attempt to find that elusive comfortable spot in the bed or chair. Apart from this remedy's affinity for bruising (wherever it occurs in the body), it's also fantastic at helping the whole system come to terms with the psychological shock that accompaniesany trauma that's sustained by the body.

Bellis perennis

Think of this as the deeper acting Arnica. In other words, if Arnica has been taken for two or three days with little relief, or improvement that refuses to hit the spot, Bellis is the next most likely candidate to finish the job. Classic features of this remedy include exquisite soreness and sensitivity around the perineum, with associated throbbing andaching in this area. This has the general effect of making the new mother feel drained and exhausted.

Hypericum

Consider this as a possibility if shooting, nerve-type pains set in, especially if these centre around anepisiotomy that feels incredibly sensitive. When this remedy is well indicated, shooting, tearing pains have a tendency to radiate away from the damaged, often lacerated tissues. This can also be a candidate for treating residual pains that linger around the site of entry of an epidural, or sensitivity that remains at a deeper level of tissue once a wound has healed superficially.

Staphysagria

This remedy has a fantastically helpful role to play following a high tech birth, where a mother may be left feeling angry, disappointed and violated at being cheated out of a much looked forward to experience. For this reason, it is often immensely helpful in easing both physical and emotional sensitivity and distress after a Caesarian, and helping encourage stitches to heal. Characteristic symptoms that suggest this remedy will be helpful include extreme sensitivity of the affected area to even the lightest touch, with pains having a sharp, stinging or stitching aspect to them. Emotionally, signature features include suppressed anger that can turn inwards and later manifest itself as depression.

Calendula

This herbal tincture can play an invaluable role in helping lacerated, bruised tissues to heal quickly and efficiently. This is due to the natural antiseptic properties that Calendula possesses, as well as its ability to encourage and speed up the production of  healthy new tissue. Dilute one part of tincture to ten parts of water and add to a bidet or to your bath water. The diluted tincture can also be used as an effective compress by saturating a sanitary towel and holding it over the perineum.

BABY BLUES

Any of the advice given below is aimed at helping ease with the brief low mood that can follow even the most textbook of births. When the most appropriate homeopathic remedy is given it will help balance mood again, so that symptoms of tearfulness, negativity, feeling emotionally hypersensitive  and/ordrained should cease to be a problem. Of course, it's perfectly normal to feel emotionally sensitive and tired in the early phase of looking after a young baby, and feeling this way does not automatically mean that homeopathic prescribing is necessary.

            It's really all a question of working out whether you think your mood is making you feel it's getting difficult to cope, and beginning to have a negative effect on your overall quality of life. If this is in its early stages and the sensations are mild to moderate in nature, taking the most appropriate of the remedies listed below for a short period of time should get you feeling back on track again.

            But if the situation refuses to respond to self-help measures and any of the following symptoms emerge, it's time to call on some professional medical help.This can come in the shape of consulting your homeopathic practitioner, visiting your GP, or deciding you need a complementary approach of combing both conventional and non-conventional medicines.

Signs That Suggest Extra Help Is Needed

• Feeling unable to cope with daily demands and tasks.
• Lowered confidence and self-esteem.
• Feeling markedly depressed and/or anxious on waking.
• A persistent and/or severe feeling of apathy, indifference and emotional numbness.
• Profound feelings of being mentally, emotionally and physically drained and exhausted.
• Bouts of tearfulness that descend out of the blue, for no obvious reason.
• Signs of emotional numbness that alternate with bursts of extreme irritability and anger.

Here are some of the most likely homeopathic remediesfor treating recently developing, mild to moderate symptoms of baby blues:

Pulsatilla

When thinking about this remedy it helps to bear in mind that the essence of it is changeablity, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the sphere of the emotions. When it's well-indicated moods change quickly, with tearfulness coming on very quickly. But, after a good cry, there's a general sense of feeling a lot of emotional relief. The beneficial effect is magnified if there's also a sympathetic shoulder to cry on with lots of attention and tender loving care on offer.

Ignatia

This is a strong contender in the early stages after the birth if moods shift very rapidly and dramatically between highs and lows. When this remedy is going to be of help, one moment there can be laughter, and the next floods of tears without any provocation. It can also be especially helpful when a new mother feels a strong sense of grief and loss once she is physically separate from her baby.  Keynote symptoms include lots of frequent and involuntary sighing with a feeling of being tense and on edge. Symptoms tend to be made more intense from drinking stimulants like coffee, or depressants such as alcohol which only serve to magnify mood swings. Having something small to eat often can help by balancing blood sugar levels.

Sepia

Think of this as a possibility when there's an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion that affects mental, emotional and physical energy levels. Characteristic features include feeling incredibly indifferent in women who are usually buzzing in motivation and focus. Because of feeling so drained, there may be a problem developing anemotional bond with a new baby, coupled with a general sense of finding it very hard to cope. Not surprisingly, given that energy levels feel down to zero, sex drive may have taken a complete nosedive since giving birth and look after a young baby. This effect is likely to be intensified if two pregnancies have occurred close together. Meeting emotional demands tends to make everything feel worse, while having time and space within which to take some brisk exercise (like taking a walk in the fresh air) helps lift mood and boost energy levels temporarily.

Staphysagria

Consider this as a possible option when feelings of a depressed, low mood are linked to resentment and/or guilt about a birth experience that turned out very differently to what was planned. Keynote features include a profound sense of sensitivity on emotional and physical levels, with a tendency for deep seated pain to remain after scars have healed superficially. This also extends to the emotional sphere, where major resentments have been buried so deeply, they surface as flying off the handle in response to a trivial trigger. Alternatively, the feelings of anger, humiliation and disappointment may turn inwards against the self, where they emerge as feelings of negativity and depression. There may also be a profound sense of violation if invasive procedures were medically necessary (such as anemergency Caesarian that there was no time to mentally and emotionally prepare for).

Natrum mur

This is a possible option for ‘the blues' that takes the opposite form of Pulsatilla. When Natrum mur is well indicated, there is astrong dislike of showing feelings, and a real aversion to displays of sympathy in the form of hugs and affection. This is mainly down to a fear that tears may come to the surface, and feelings that have been kept buttoned down for sometime may make an appearance. While this is all quite OK to someone who needs Pulsatilla (and indeed very welcome), in the Natrum mur situation it feels humiliating and mortifying.

General Self-Help

The positive effect of awell-chosen homeopathic remedy can be enhanced by the following practical lifestyle advice:

• If you suspect that your mood is becoming darker and worrying you, the first positive step is to acknowledge to yourself that there may be a problem. The second is to choose someone you can talk about your feelings to freely, and without having to censor what you are concerned about. The choice is up to you (good possibilities can include a close friend, member of your family, family GP, or a counsellor). Just bear in mind that you need to feel comfortable in their presence and that they are likely to be non-judgmental and a good listener.

• Often part of the problem for new mothers is a combination of feeling isolated while also having little time and space to themselves. For this reason, make a deliberate effort to stay in touch with friends, family and/or close work colleagues. If meeting up is practically difficult, use the phone instead. It's also really helpful to keep up with relationships with other mothers that were formed in antenatal or relaxation classes. This can have the huge bonus and comfort of making you realise that some of your own feelings may be completely normal and only to be expected after becoming a mother. This may be even stronger if this is your first baby and you're finding it hard to cope at first. 

• It can help greatly to deliberately adopt eating patterns that keep your blood sugar levels stable, since this can have a really beneficial effect on a volatile mood. Items to concentrate on include unrefined carbohydrates that have a slow energy release effect. Excellent sources include organic brown rice cakes with a humous topping, or a small amount of a naturally low fat cheese. Unroasted, unsalted nuts such as almonds, cashews, Brazils and walnuts make excellent snacks, with a small amount of organic, sundried apricots, mangoes or banana chips. Items to avoid because they increase the possibility of roller-coasting energy levels include anything made with white, refined sugar such as fizzy drinks, biscuits, cakes, pastries white or milk chocolate, or sweets. Also avoid strong coffee or any other caffeinated drinks for the same reasons, opting instead for herbal teas, grain-based coffee substitutes, or small amounts of green or white tea that give a lift without hefty doses of caffeine. Also, if your mood is low, avoid alcohol since it is both a depressant and a mood enhancer.

TEETHING

This really can be a bit of a lottery, with some babies coping well with the process of teething, while others struggle really hard with pain and distress. Any of the homeopathic strategies mentioned below should help with both pain and emotional distress, provided there is a sufficient match between the features of the remedy and the symptoms of your baby. If you feel the selected remedy helps a lot, but the positive effect doesn't hold for long enough, or your baby ceases to respond well, it will be helpful to consult a homeopathic practitioner.

Chamomilla

This is one of the classic teething remedies with a picture that it's hard to mistake. When it's going to be a good match, your baby is likely to have a flushed cheek on the affected side, while the other is quite pale. There will be the signature yelling, howling and fury at being in pain, with any loved toys that normal delight and distract being hurled to the floor in frustration. Symptoms are often worse or develop, with the only temporary relief being provided by carrying, rocking, or as a last resort, being drive around the block several times in the car.

Pulsatilla

Consider this as a possible option if you've noticed that your baby always comes down with a thick catarrhal cold when they're run down with the stress of teething. Along with being weepy and clingy when in pain, your baby is also likely to be very stuffed up with lots of thick, yellowish-green mucus that crusts around the nostrils. Unlike babieswho respond really well to Chamomilla, babies who need Pulsatilla love lots of hugs, attention and sympathy which can distract them from the distress of the pain. Teething symptoms tend to be worse in the evening and during the night, while being carried in the fresh air feels very soothing.

Belladonna

The teething pains that do well in response to this remedy are often right-sided, or more intense and distressing on the right side of the mouth than the left. Think of heat, redness and inflammation when you want to picture the essence of this remedy, with symptoms always developing very suddenly and dramatically. These characteristics can be localised (so the affected area of the gums will look bright red and fiery and feel very hot to the touch), or the effort of teething can raise your baby's temperature, so that she or he looks generally bright red and flushed. When this remedy is helpful a normally placid, easy-going child turns very irritable, short-fused and cross. There may be associated earache and/orglandular swelling on the right if teething is causing a problem on that side.

Aconite

This is also a remedy that is characterised by symptoms that sweep up very fast and severely out of the blue. When this remedy is needed, exposure to dry, cold winds has a reputation for triggering or aggravating symptoms which very often develop during the night. In cases like this, a baby may go to sleep perfectly happily, but wake during the night frantic and terror-stricken with pain. The expression takes on a startled look, while there may be a general state of feverishness and restlessness with a hot head and cooler body.

A NOTE ON DOSAGE

Generally speaking, symptoms thatare fairly low-grade in nature should respond quite well to a 6c potency given once or twice hourly up to three, or a maximum of four doses a day. More intense symptoms will do better with a 30c potency given in the same way, always bearing in mind that as soon as there are signs of improvement, the remedy must be stopped. If a relapse occurs, then the regime can be started again.

BIOGRAPHY

Beth MacEoin trained at the Northern College of Homeopathy from 1985-1989 and is registered with the Society of Homeopaths. Apart from running a busy homeopathic practice in Newcastle from 1989, she is an established author with sixteen titles on general health issues and homeopathy to her credit. Her next book, Homeopathy:The Practical Guide For The Twenty First Century, appears on 6^thApril. She also works as a health journalist, writing features such as her regular My Menopause column for Health Plus magazine.