Homeopathic medicine for childbirth?

[heatherweh]

In one fo the birth stories I read, the midwife gave the mama some arnica for swelling of the cervix after prolonged pushing. That seems like such an obvious idea that it never occurred to me really. Are there any other times homeopathic medicines might be used successfully in labor? Just wondering if anyone had any experience or ideas. TIA.

[AngelBee]

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[JamieCatheryn]

Arnica is excellent for swelling and bruising, if it's not needed in labor it can be used for postpartum healing as well. I have some in my birth supplies, at my midwife's sugestion.

My other herbal help I have on hand it peppermint oil for in the toilet bowl in case I have any trouble passing urine, a full bladder can hinder labor and pushing and peppermint is so much less invasive than a catheter.

But as for homeopathic remedies, pulsitilla is recommended for a lot of pregnancy and birth issues. I don't use homeopathics though generally.

[heatherweh]

I love the idea of the peppermint oil. I couldn't pass urine last time during the later stages of labor, but could tell I had a full bladder, then still couldn't pass urine after the birth. I ended up getting a catheter, which I really, really wanted to avoid. I'll definitely try that- plus I think that the scent is supposed to be invigorating, so maybe I can use that if I get tired and feel my energy flagging at some point.

[jmo]

can someone explain exactly what you're supposed to do with the peppermint oil?

[CrunchyMamaToBe]

Originally Posted by jmo

can someone explain exactly what you're supposed to do with the peppermint oil?

Yes, me too. I want to know!

I ended up with such a full bladder after DS's birth, that I had to be catheterized twice and I suspect this had something to do with not being able to deliver the placenta.

My doula also recommended arnica for after the birth. And we used frankincense (aromatherepy, not homeopathy) to encourage me to take deeper breaths during labor.

[PaigeC]

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[JamieCatheryn]

Originally Posted by jmo

can someone explain exactly what you're supposed to do with the peppermint oil?

You put some in the toilet water before you sit down and the fumes or whatever of it ease inflammation and make it easier to go.

[jennert]

the peppermint oil worked like magic for me--a little in the water and wow! i didn't know i could hold that much pee!

[wbg]

I read a book by a midwife named Diane Gregg called Amazing birth stories and she had quite a bit of info mixed into her book about homeopathic remedies for pregnancy and labour.

[jmo]

This is great to know about the peppermint oil! Really, just a few drops in the toilet bowl makes you pee?!

[PaigeC]

Thanks for the pepermint oil info, I got some to stop nausea during labor also.

I have Arnica but I have a question about dosage. I have 30C for home use. How much would you take post-delivery? I've heard 200C but do I need to buy a higher dose or just take more?

[sarahn4639]

well another non homeopathic but along the same lines, I used Clary Sage EO. It was amazing, I just held the bottle under my nose and breathed it in thru contractions. It definately took the edge off. I also use arnica starting right after the birth. I had a bruised and super painful tailbone and it healed very quickly. I also had a small tear and stitch and it healed really well as well.

[heatherweh]

My aunt takes chammomilla (I think that's the one) before dentist appointments because they stress he out for a previous bad experience- so that might be a good one. I'll have to look into it further- the list of things to use it for seems endless, like a cure-all homeopathic.

[wearbaby]

My MW gave me arnica right after I pushed the baby out. I was still in the pool, but she knew I was bruised pretty bad. I continued to take it for about a week. I think that helped more than motrin. This isn't homeopathic, but I also had comfrey leaf ready to brew (not to drink) for my postpartum sitz bath. She had her own herbal bath with her and added my comfrey to it. I don't remember if i thought it helped. I've heard of making the comfrey infusion ahead of time, and soaking maxi pads in it- and putting them in the freezer. So you have a soothing ice pack ready to go. (I could do this for you if you want) Also, I have this herbal thing from gentlemoon.com that is called "smooth transitions" I'll show it to you if you want to try it. No guarantees that the doc will "allow" it.

[nighten]

Some good info here:

http://lyghtforce.com/HomeopathyOnli...ue4/nauman.htm

http://www.moondragon.org/alternativ...riorbirth.html

http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/childbirth/ne.htm

http://myirisoils.com/oilinfo.html

For aromatherapy, it's recommended to have a spray bottle handy, so you can put a few drops of the oil in with water, shake, and spray on a washcloth. That way it's not on your body (because the smell might be needed briefly and having it on you may be too much).

Some people are fine with just holding the bottle close by and letting laboring mama have a whiff or two. Some mamas hold it themselves and breathe in deeply. Some use candle diffusers. It just depends. But in labor, a little can go a LONG way, so best to err on the side of not enough when it comes to aromatherapy in labor. Start off small, with something that can be removed from mama's smell range immediately if need be.

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Peppermint oil is also good for combatting nausea and for restoring focus.

[Belle]

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