There are so many things I love about homeopathy... it is safe, aids the body to heal, non-toxic and my kids even think the pellets are like candy because they taste sweet! For those who are not familiar with homeopathy... Please read this great, simple article that explains what homeopathy is and how it works.
It is so safe that I don’t have to worry about my kids getting sick if they swallow a whole bottle and... ahem... my oldest daughter has done that a few times! As a child, I did that but with a bottle of baby Tylenol and had to go to the emergency room to get my stomach pumped. Yeah, that's why you will never see that stuff or any form of over-the-counter/prescribed medication in my house. I don’t want that to happen to any of my kids!
So, if you take the wrong remedy for something… you don’t have to worry about it making you sicker because it won’t do anything to you if it is not the right kind! You can simply switch to a different kind of remedy better matched to your symptoms. You can’t really do that safely with over-the-counter or prescribed medication.
Below I am going to share a few that I’ve used through each of my births and what they do. Then I want to share with you a new program that I am doing right now (started late, though) with pregnancy #4 that I learned recently from a homeopathic.
Again, this is why I love homeopathy… I do not have to worry about any harm being done to the baby or me while doing this program!
Again, this is why I love homeopathy… I do not have to worry about any harm being done to the baby or me while doing this program!
Oh, ahem... again, before you read on, I have to say this for legal reasons... I'm not a doctor, just a pregnant gal who likes to share what she is doing to have a healthy pregnancy & birth. Please consult your midwife or doctor about any changes you make to your diet while pregnant. Homeopathy does not cause interactions with pharmaceutical drugs and are safe for everyone. You can read more FAQs about homeopathy here.
Homeopathy Remedies for Labor & Birth
We all know that childbirth is a natural process and unless complications develop, no intervention is needed. More and more parents are accepting this view once again and choosing to labor without anesthesia and, more so recently, many prefer to have their baby born at home.
Homeopathy can help make childbirth easier with the use of homeopathic remedies to help prevent lengthy, painful labor and soothe sore muscles after birth.
Caulophyllum thalictroides
I first learned about this remedy from Homeopathic Medicine at Home while pregnant with Tobi (#3) and believe it made a difference in my labor & birth. Here’s a soundbite from the book:
"The early settlers first learned about this remedy from the Indians, who called it “squaw-root” or “birth-root”. Indian women chewed the root when they were at full term. The early homeopaths, ever on the alert for curative medicines, potentized this remedy, which they called Caulophyllum thalictroides.
In the event of false labor pains (pains not accompanied by effacement and dilation of the cervix), the remedy stimulates the onset and continuation of effective contractions.
A British homeopath, Dr. Douglas M. Borland, author of Homeopathy for Mother and Infant, recommends taking a daily dose of Caulophyllum during the last 2 or 3 weeks of pregnancy to ease labor. Many mothers (including myself) have reported a rapid, “easy” labor."
I started taking this remedy about a week before my due date and Tobias was born exactly the due date I predicted (he’s the only one I knew for sure when I conceived!). The labor was fast and fairly easy. I was surprised by how quickly it was happening and how smoothly it flowed. Tobi was born in less then 2 hours!
When to use:
You can start taking it, once or twice a day, 2 to 3 weeks before the due date. Or when you start to feel contractions, take it every 15 minutes and stop when contractions become full and steady.
Carbo vegetabilis
I have not needed to take this, but always have it on hand just in case. This remedy is known as the “great reviver”, proved to help restore strength when exhausted.
If labor has been going on for some time and you feel completely depleted and too tired to carry on. Plus, you cravings for cold, moving air… Carbo vegtabilis is the remedy for you. After taking your first dose you should start to feel your strength coming back to complete the job!
When to use:
When you feel completely exhausted, take repeated doses every 15 minutes until you feel your strength come back. Stop taking when you feel strengthened.
Arnica Montana
I was first introduced to homeopathy after the birth of my first baby. My midwife gave me a bottle of Arnica Montana to help with muscle pains and aches from the birth.
I was all for trying a natural alternative to Tylenol or aspirin. I didn’t want to take either, but didn’t know what I could take to help with my sore muscles because I was still very new in the world of natural remedies at that time. Thankfully my midwife took care of that for me!
After she told me how much to take and how often… I was shocked to find myself feeling great very quickly. I noticed if I missed a dose within the time frame I start to feel sore, but as soon as I took my dose… my pains and aches magically went away! It was amazing!
After that experience, I knew I had to explore the world of homeopathy. Ever since, I have been able to treat my family holistically using homeopathy, among other natural remedies, with great success! I am still learning as I go along in life and have to say that I am not an expert even though I’ve been using homeopathy for over 5 years now.
I’ve used Arnica with all my pregnancies and ALWAYS always have a bottle or two around for my family. I also have a bottle of arnica oil that is wonderful to rub on sore muscles and a bottle of arnica tincture to mix with water for a more potent effect. This is one homeopathy we use quite often with our 3 energenic kids and lots of animals running around!
In addition to relieving sore muscles and bruised parts, Arnica will speedily heal an episiotomy or tear if they happen.
When to use:
Immediately after delivery and repeat the dose every 15 to 30 minutes until you feel comfortable. Keep taking it every hour after that.
Homeopathy Remedies for Pregnancy
A while back I received an email update from Joette Calabrese who is a practicing homeopathic and has a wonderful website, HomeopathyWorks, that I’ve learned much from. The focus of the newsletter was about pregnancy and how to have a healthy pregnancy, quick labor and easy birth by using homeopathy.
Joette shared her experiences of using these very homeopathies to improve the outcome of her last 2 pregnancies after having a very long (40 hours!), painful labor with her first (all natural too!). The results were amazing… pain was minimal and the labor/birth were quick & easy! She gave birth at home and was over 40 years old at those times.
The following program came not only from her own personal experiences, but also from attending many home births and working with lots of women. She recommends a daily intake of homeopathic cell salts, instead of prenatal vitamins, that will supply the nutrition a mama and baby needs. She says they have a proven record and unlike some prenatal vitamins, carry no side effects.
Remember, no amount of homeopathy or prenatal vitamins will substitute for a poor diet. So, it is vital that you load up on wholesome, nutritionally dense foods... read my note on "Super Foods for Mama & Baby" (coming soon!).
Remember, no amount of homeopathy or prenatal vitamins will substitute for a poor diet. So, it is vital that you load up on wholesome, nutritionally dense foods... read my note on "Super Foods for Mama & Baby" (coming soon!).
Below is the list of remedies and the schedule she recommends for mamas to follow for the duration of the pregnancy and for as long as the baby nurses:
Calcarea fluorata 6 or 12: Prevents stretch marks, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It also builds good tooth enamel in the mother and child as well as strong bones for both.
Ferrum phosphoricum 6: Strengthens blood vessels and arteries and helps prevent anemia.
Magnesia phosphorica 6: Alleviates spasms and cramps, such as leg and abdominal cramps. It can even eliminate the baby's hiccups in utero.
Natrum muriaticum 6: Helps cope with metabolic changes of pregnancy. Prevents and cures dry skin, heartburn, swollen ankles and helps to eliminate toxins.
Silicea 6: Needed, for blood, skin, hair and nails.
Month 1: Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Ferr phos 6x
Month 2: Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Ferr phos 6x
Month 3: Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Nat mur 6x
Month 4: Calc fluor 6x, Nat mur 6x, Silicea 6x
Month 5: Calc fluor 6x, Ferr phos 6x, Silicea 6x
Month 6: Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Ferr phos 6x
Month 7: Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Nat mur 6x
Month 8: Calc fluor 6x, Nat mur 6x, Silicea 6x
Month 9: Calc fluor 6x, Ferr phos 6x, Silicea 6x
(Continue for as long as the baby is nursing)
Take three to four pills of each remedy, three times a day, according to the monthly schedule.
Just like higher potency homeopathic remedies, cell salts (sometimes called tissue salts or biochemic homeopathy) are prepared in highly diluted dosages. This gives them a greater ability to work.
You can purchase cell salts in most health food stores, Vitacost (this link is my referral link, get $10 off on your first purchase from Vitacost!) or online. They are pretty inexpensive.
Joette’s office also carries a convenient cell salt kit which you can purchased if you are interested.
What about you? Do you use homeopathy during pregnancy, birth and/or postpartum? Please share below!
Linked up at Monday Mania and Simple Lives Thursday.
Note: I am not affiliated with Joette or Homeopathy Works or 1-800-Homeopathy.
You can purchase cell salts in most health food stores, Vitacost (this link is my referral link, get $10 off on your first purchase from Vitacost!) or online. They are pretty inexpensive.
Joette’s office also carries a convenient cell salt kit which you can purchased if you are interested.
What about you? Do you use homeopathy during pregnancy, birth and/or postpartum? Please share below!
Linked up at Monday Mania and Simple Lives Thursday.
Note: I am not affiliated with Joette or Homeopathy Works or 1-800-Homeopathy.
