Homeopathy for pregnancy and childbirth

Proven Remedies

Homeopathy for Pregnancy and Childbirth

by Melanie J. Grimes

Mother and child (c) by Tina Kayser

Homeopathy offers a large number of remedies for pregnancy, labour and birth. Homeopathic remedies provide great opportunities for the health of mothers and newborns. As early as 1900 James Tyler Kent wrote: “Nowadays almost every woman needs support from homeopathic remedies during childbirth.” That is just as true today. A wide range of homeopathic remedies is available for this purpose.

In the new section on pregnancy and childbirth ("Bringing in Baby") on Health News I have outlined the basic homeopathic remedies that can be helpful for women during pregnancy and delivery.

1. Arnica is a major remedy for bruises and contusions. When delivery causes crushing, bruising or haematomas, Arnica is the first remedy for both mother and baby. Arnica is also useful for treating crushed pelvic organs after delivery.

2. Hypericum is the remedy of choice for all nerve injuries. Hypericum should especially be considered as a primary remedy when trauma or damage to the spinal cord has occurred during birth. These can be caused, for example, by the use of forceps or by overextension of the spine in connection with delivery. Hypericum can also be used if the mother's coccyx has been dislocated or shifted during birth.

3. With Aconite we treat constipation during pregnancy. Aconite is an excellent remedy for bleeding during delivery and also helps with morning sickness in pregnancy. Aconite patients generally have no thirst, are restless and anxious. Aconite relieves terror of death during childbirth and is also suitable for treating anxiety disorders after delivery.

4. Belladonna helps with acute inflammatory conditions that arise suddenly and are accompanied by heat and redness. It stops bleeding after birth, especially when the blood is hot and bright red.

5. Argentum nitricum, silver nitrate, is the same substance that is instilled into newborns' eyes. This remedy in homeopathic dilution can help with diarrhoea during pregnancy.

6. Causticum is a good remedy to have on hand if the newborn's shoulders do not pass through the birth canal, or if the baby sustains a clavicle fracture during delivery. Causticum can also be used if the mother's urine will not flow after birth.

7. Opium in homeopathic doses is needed for treating newborns after a traumatic birth, especially if the child remains in a lethargic state, for umbilical hernias, and when the baby feeds poorly. Fainting due to anxiety during pregnancy can also be successfully treated with Opium.

8. Natrium sulfuricum is an excellent homeopathic remedy for children with brain swelling or any kind of swelling of the head or brain. Natrium sulfuricum should be used for any head injury sustained during birth.

9. Lachesis is the remedy of choice when a baby is born with the umbilical cord around its neck. These children may also have umbilical hernias.

10. Arsenicum helps to regenerate the bladder after birth, to prevent urinary retention or to treat bladder paralysis. Arsenicum is also given for diarrhoea or nausea during pregnancy. A patient who needs Arsenicum during pregnancy is particularly anxious and suffers from fear of death.

11. Bellis perennis, the daisy, also known as the "bruise plant", is the remedy for intrauterine injuries after delivery, or for crushing and bruising of all kinds associated with birth.

12. Calcium phosphoricum is known to facilitate birth. It can be taken as a cell salt in D3 or D6; it is a salt found in blood plasma and in all cells. Used in this way, it can serve as a dietary supplement to strengthen the pregnant woman.

13. China (Cinchona calisaya) is used in homeopathic dilution for severe bleeding during delivery.

14. Crocus is another remedy for bleeding after birth.

15. Caulophyllum thalictroides (blue cohosh) should be used when labour stalls and the birth does not progress, or when contractions are too weak. Because it is also used as a remedy to induce abortions, it should never be taken during pregnancy but only during the expulsive stage of labour to stimulate contractions.

16. Sepia is derived from the ink of the cuttlefish. This homeopathic remedy is helpful for constipation during pregnancy.

17. Aluminium also helps in the treatment of bleeding after birth.

18. Collinsonia is a remedy to consider for haemorrhoids during pregnancy.

19. With Nux vomica we treat both diarrhoea and constipation during pregnancy. It is also known as a good remedy for morning sickness or for jaundice. A Nux vomica patient may even suffer from constipation during delivery. Nux may – similar to Pulsatilla – be indicated when contractions suddenly lessen or stop during labour.

20. Petroleum (crude oil) is a useful remedy for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy; likewise for all stomach complaints and digestive difficulties during pregnancy.

21. Pulsatilla is a good remedy to consider when the mother's milk does not come in after birth. Another good remedy for such conditions is Urtica urens. Pulsatilla can also remedy urinary retention after delivery.

Homeopathy offers many wonderful gifts – not only for mothers and their babies, but also for the treating doctors and midwives.

Homeopath Melanie J. Grimes has worked for more than 15 years as an editor of alternative medicine journals. She has edited the journals "Resonance" and "The American Homeopath", and is currently editor of "Simillium", the journal of the Homeopathic Association of American Naturopathic Therapists. Melanie has given seminars and lectures worldwide; she has published numerous articles and books in the field of alternative medicine, especially on the subject of homeopathy. She has travelled with "Homeopathy Without Borders" to Macedonian refugee camps and has participated in radio programmes. Melanie is an author of screenplays and novels, breeds alpacas and rows in her free time. She lives with her husband and sons in Seattle, Washington.