Homeopathy Drugs during Pregnancy
Homeopathy drug is ideal for women in their childbearing
years as it is a gentle yet highly effective system of medicine. During
pregnancy, some women will chose to live with the discomfort of minor complaints
such as morning sickness or heartburn, rather than seek treatment because they
are concerned about the possible side effects of orthodox medicines on their
unborn child.
Homeopathic
medicines are safe for your growing baby because only a minute amount of the
active ingredient is used in their preparation. They work by stimulating the
body’s own healing powers. Good homeopathic treatment prior to conception can
prepare you for a healthy pregnancy.
By
stimulating your vitality in pregnancy, homeopathic treatment will
automatically benefit your baby and by staying as healthy as possible during
pregnancy, you are giving your baby the ideal conditions in which to thrive.
Many homeopaths will also offer advice on your diet and lifestyle to encourage
a healthy pregnancy and birth.
Physical
and emotional changes during pregnancy may cause minor health problems such as
nausea, mild urinary problems, diarrhea heartburn, anemia, varicose veins,
backache, cramps, thrush or emotional distress. All these problems and more
potentially complicated symptoms such as raised blood pressure can also be
helped by professional homeopathic treatment.
Symptoms or pregnancy and its management
Morning Sickness
Symptoms of morning sickness include nausea, occasional
vomiting and tiredness. Many women experience these symptoms during the first
three months of pregnancy, usually in the morning when the stomach is empty,
although it can occur at any time of the day.
The
traditional cure of eating a dry biscuit before getting out of bed worth
trying. Avoid rich, fatty foods and try eating little and often if your nausea
is worse when you are hungry.
Seek
professional help if your vomiting is sever for example, if you are unable to
keep food down and are losing weight or if it persists past your third month. The
following remedies are the more commonly indicated.
Ipecac: Constant, nausea with empty belching and retching;
vomiting is difficult and does not relieve your nausea.
Nux vomica: Nausea with retching that is relieved by
vomiting; sour belching, indigestion and heartburn. You may have a sensation
that there is a knot in your stomach. You feel bad-tempered.
Pulsatilla: Nausea (with little vomiting), worse after eating
and drinking, better in the fresh air and for company. You feel weepy, moody
and like to be comforted.
Sepia: Intermittent nausea which is worse in the mornings
and worse for the smell or thought of food; there is an empty, sinking feeling
in the stomach which is temporarily relieved by eating. You feel apathetic,
exhausted and heavy but oddly are better for vigorous exercise. You are
indifferent or cross with children and partner.
Constipation in pregnancy
Constipation is common in pregnancy as the hormones, which
prepare the muscles of the pelvis for labor, can slow the digestive processes
down. Adjusting your diet can often help mild constipation. Increase your
intake of fluids, fruit and vegetables, go easy on wheat products and avoid
iron tablets.
Any lasting change in your usual pattern of bowel movements
should be assessed professionally but for a simple case of constipation in
pregnancy, try one of the following remedies:
Bryonia: Large, hard, dry stools which are difficult to
expel; often with a headache which is worse for the slightest movement. You are
irritable.
Nux vomica: Frequent urging to pass a stool but in spite of
straining, passing only small amounts each time; it feels as if some is left
behind; piles that may itch and bleed.
Sepia: Straining to pass a large, hard stool; your stomach
feels full and there is a sensation of a lump in the rectum that may remain
even after passing a stool.
You feel generally sluggish.
Sulphur: Constipation with piles that itch and burn and are
worse for heat. You are generally restless, thirsty and sensitive to the heat.
Diet in Pregnancy
During pregnancy, it is especially important to eat well,
from a wide range of foods as this will provide you with the extra trace
minerals and vitamins that you need. If you are on a restricted diet or wish to
take vitamin and mineral supplements, then it is important that you do so on
the advice of a competent medical practitioner, nutritionist or homeopath. Do
avoid smoking and alcohol as these are bad for your health and that of your
unborn child. Be sure to get plenty of rest and sleep and to exercise
regularly. Yoga has been found to be particularly helpful during pregnancy.
Increase your intake of iron-rich foods to keep up with an increase demand. Foods
rich in iron include green, leafy vegetables, black strap molasses, dried
peaches and apricots, beans and lentils, whole grains, seeds (sunflower and
pumpkin), nuts and eggs.
Vitamin
C helps the body to absorb iron so take a fresh citrus drink with a meal to
increase your iron intake. Avoid tea, especially with a meal, as it actually prevents
iron from being absorbed. Iron tablets often have side effects such as
constipation so ask your homeopath about safe homeopathic alternatives if you
need extra iron and are not able to get it from your diet.
Many of
the above foods are also high in frolic acid, an important trace mineral that
helps with the absorption of iron and is essential for a health pregnancy.
Childbirth
There are effective remedies to help deal with possible
problems during childbirth, such as a cervix which is slow to dilate, pain, excessive
bleeding, retained placenta and other difficulties.
Aconite: The labor is too fast, the pins are very strong and
you have a feeling of panic.
Arnica: An indispensable remedy that can be given from time
to time during labor to help the muscles function properly, to relieve the
over-exertion of labor and reduce the bruised feeling after delivery.
Kali phos: For simple exhaustion during labor, mental,
emotional and physical.
Caullophyllum: For a difficult labor where the cervix is
slow to dilate and the pains are strong but ineffective. You feel cold and
trembly.
Pulsatilla: When contractions are irregular and weak, the
cervix is slow to dilate and you feel miserable, clingy and tearful. You may
talk about wanting to give up and go home.
Healing after the Childbirth
After the birth, you can use homeopathic remedies to speed
up healing for yourself and your baby- This will help you to enjoy the whole experience
more:
Aconite: For shock following the fear of the intensity of
birth, in yourself, your partner or your baby.
Amica: To relieve soreness, bruising and after-pains. Also helpful
for babies who are bruised. If you are still sore after three days, take Bellis
perennis to help with bruising to deep muscle tissues.
Kali phos: For mental exhaustion after delivery, with
headache, tiredness but too excited to sleep, especially in the first day or
two after the birth.
Pulsatilla: Postnatal ‘blues’, especially when the milk
comes in. You feel utterly miserable and burst into tears at the slightest
thing but you feel much better for being comforted.
Breastfeeding
Homeopaths recognize that breast milk gives babies a good
start in life, so do keep in touch with your midwife, breastfeeding counselor and/or
your homeopath if you want to breastfeed but find it painful or difficult or
both.
One
useful remedy is Phytolacca for sore, cracked nipples, which hurt when the baby
nurses. It is also useful for breast infections where there are painful lumps
in the breast.
Treating Babies
Babies tend to respond quickly to homeopathic treatment.
There are homeopathic remedies to help relieve the pains of colic or teething,
nappy rash and more serious problems. We advise you to consult one of our
members if you want homeopathic treatment for your baby and see our leaflet “Homeopathy
for Babies and Children.”
