Homeopathy and Childbirth
Many people have heard of raspberry leaf tea for toning up the uterus, or aromatherapy oils for relaxation, but did you know that homeopathy is excellent for all sorts of problems experienced during pregnancy and labour? From morning sickness to varicose veins and anxiety to exhaustion.
For more complex conditions during pregnancy a qualified homeopath should be consulted, however, one area where you can help yourself is during the labour itself. Homeopathy is a particularly good form of pain relief and can ease the conditions that result from experiencing pain, such as anxiety, exhaustion, high blood pressure and nausea. Remember that homeopathy treats an individual's reaction to a situation, not the situation itself.
Why Use Homeopathy?
Your partner can prescribe for you using a limited, but effective, selection of remedies. This has the advantage of your partner not only playing an active role in the delivery but with the correct remedies they may help prevent the need for other interventions. Remedies are all non-toxic and will not harm you or your unborn child.
How Do Remedies Help?
Because homeopathy is a holistic medicine, a single remedy can treat many symptoms. For example, the remedy Chamomilla is for someone in a state of extreme irritability, anger and pain. A state often experienced by some women during labour where they may shout at their partner, hate being touched and whom everybody tries to avoid! Someone in this state may also experience labour pains in the back and down the legs and a labour that is slow to progress. Chamomilla covers all these symptoms and should give some relief for the woman and her poor suffering attendants! Some of you may be familiar with this remedy for teething babies where the symptoms are very similar - unbearable pain and anger. There are remedies to cover all sorts of physical and emotional symptoms.
When Should I Start Treatment?
It is best to begin treatment with a homeopath before you plan for pregnancy to ensure a state of health in which your baby can thrive. However, it is never too late to start using homeopathy, even just in the delivery room is not too late! Discuss this with your midwife beforehand so they are aware of your intensions but most will be more than happy for you to use remedies. Childbirth Kits are available for purchase from the homepathic pharmacies.
The Birth of George
I assisted in the home birth of George earlier this year where I worked with the midwives and gave remedies when needed. Remedies were mainly needed for pain relief and when the labour failed to progress - resulting in a raised blood pressure. After the correct remedy was given, contractions immediately began again and the need for other interventions was avoided. George's mother Emily agreed to write about the birth:
"After the birth of my first child 3 and half years ago, which took 24 hours and a ventouse delivery, I was determined that things would be different when my husband and I decided to have a second child. I knew that having a homeopath present at the birth would enable me to avoid many of the interventions that I succumbed to last time! I was very worried prior to the birth and scared that it wouldn't work out as I hoped especially as I had chosen to be at home.
In the event it was a fantastic experience, I used only a tens machine and homeopathic remedies prescribed by Jo at strategic moments! There was no syntometrine used, the placenta was expelled naturally and George came into the world as he had been intended to - drug free and a happy 8lb 11oz. I am writing this 3 weeks on and he is a content baby, sleeps and feeds very well and the birth seems a long time ago! He is now over 10lbs in weight.
I found that using homeopathy, combined with an active birth (I was upright throughout labour) using swaying and singing and relaxation to help me through the contractions made the labour quicker and the pain bearable. The contractions began at midnight but I stayed in bed until 3-4am. By 7am things were really getting going and Jo arrived. I rang the midwives at 7.30 and they came at 8am. George was born on Good Friday, April 2nd at 9.25am.
It is a really good idea to have homeopathic treatment prior to and during pregnancy. I became pregnant at the first attempt, suffered no sickness or ailments of pregnancy and felt totally well throughout, also helped by homeopathy. I would like to thank Jo for helping me achieve the birth experience I wanted and feel very proud and happy to have started George's life in such a positive way."
As Emily mentions, using homeopathy for situations arising during labour may halt the need for other interventions and painkilling drugs. If used properly it is safe and if the wrong remedy is given it will simply not work -you can assess the symptoms again and try another remedy.
How Can It Help My Baby?
Remedies taken by the mother reach the baby via the placenta or breast milk, so will benefit the baby too, especially for post natal healing. Remedies can help with colic, teething, nappy rash, thrush and chronic illnesses. Good homeopathic treatment will strengthen a child's immune system so they will be less prone to falling ill. By starting treatment young, children can maintain a level of physical, emotional and mental well-being - a healthy start in life.
Jo South is a qualified homeopath who practises in Bishops Stortford and Wivenhoe
tel: 07976 152726email: jo@josouth.co.uk
www.josouth.co.uk