Homeopathy for Pregnancy and Birth

Homeopathy Basics for Pregnancy & Birth : Homeopathy Basics for Pregnancy & Birth Copyright © 2011 by Marianne Donch

Historical Highlights : Historical Highlights Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) German physician & chemicist Law of similars: Similia similibus curentur = Let likes be cured by likes coined ‘homeopathy’  ‘allopathy’ conflict with pharmacists of his day; economics 1800’s growing enthusiasm for homeopathy bitter opposition by orthodox medicine from the start

Homeopathy in the U.S. : Homeopathy in the U.S. 1825 introduced and popularized by a Danish immigrant physician 1844 American Institute of Homeopathy was founded, America’s 1st national medical society 1846 American Medical Association (A.M.A. ) founded, in response to and to rival homeopaths Homeopathy specifically as women’s art: homeopathy disproportionately popular with women users and practitioners 1848 homeopathic Boston Female Medical College founded, the 1st women's medical college in the world 1871: women admitted into the American Institute of Homeopathy 1915: women admitted into A.M.A.

The Decline of Homeopathy : The Decline of Homeopathy Opposition from medical establishment & pharmaceutical industry homeopaths’ criticism of use of conventional drugs: homeopaths felt they mask symptoms rather than cure A.M.A. meeting: "We must admit that we never fought the homeopath on matters of principles; we fought him because he came into the community and got the business.“ homeopaths’ reputations were besmirched; they were called "immoral," "illegitimate," "unmanly“ between 1900 and 1923, the number of homeopathic colleges in the U.S. dropped from 22 to 2 Unfortunate coincidence: John D. Rockefeller, a strong advocate of homeopathy, wanted to give grants to homeopathic institutions, but his financial advisor, Federick Gates, never complied with Rockefeller’s orders. $300-$400 million in the early 1900s mostly went to orthodox medical institutions.

Homeopathy Today : Homeopathy Today Very popular in India (status parallel with orthodox medicine), in European countries including England, France, German, Greece, to a lesser degree in South America Homeopathy practiced by naturopathic doctors dentists psychologists physician assistants, nurses chiropractors veterinarians lay practitioner Homeopathic remedies are considered ‘over-the-counter drugs’

Homeopathy & Midwifery : Homeopathy & Midwifery The two practices have much in common: both are never ending learning processes both are the best care for normal deviations both see illness as an attempt of the body to heal itself & respect self-healing potential both acknowledge physical processes as flow of vital energy instead of the mechanical understanding of the body both address the woman and family’s emotional / spiritual state; one more tool to address emotional barriers both accept the value of medical help when indicated both rely on client involvement, responsibility, and honesty both are an art based on very detailed observation skills and intimate knowledge of an individual

Homeopathy : Homeopathy also a great resource for unassisted birth, especially remedies for infant resuscitation SAFE & EFFECTIVE; great baby medicine

Homeopathy - Herbalism - Energy work : Homeopathy - Herbalism - Energy work Homeopathy & herbal medicine are often confused many (but not all) substances in homeopathy are also commonly used medicinal herbs many herbal books include homeopathic remedies Homeopathy & Energy work homeopathy bridges the gap from herbalism to energy work, such as acupressure, acupuncture, use of crystals, reiki the medium potencies of 12C to 30C are already diluted out of the ballpark of chemistry entirely Implications works better for some people than for others allow remedy to work / centering / creating some space for use

Homeopathy Basics : Homeopathy Basics remedies are made from substances found in nature: plant, animal and mineral kingdom mother tinctureØ (infusum) or tituration dilution: decimal scale =X; centesimal scale = C succussion: activates the vital force there are several thousand recognized remedies provings: method of investigating the medicinal action of any substance by experiment (Hahnemann proved 90 in his lifetime) diagnosis is NOT necessary with law of similars: Example: ALLIUM CEPA = onion: known to cause tearing of the eyes + dripping of the nose = frequent remedy for the common cold and hay fever, especially when there is a thin, watery, and burning nasal discharge that irritates the nostrils. totality of symptoms – physical & emotional

Homeopathic Dosage : Homeopathic Dosage dosage is the number of repetitions, not the amount taken ideal dosage: minimum dosage and repetition necessary to achieve healing response a dose is any amount of pellets, even the entire tube; works energetically does not work preventatively give remedy a chance to work; repeat dosage if no response, repeat once or twice, then choose a different remedy if a remedy seems to work, repeat as soon as effectiveness diminishes; this may be every hour, 30 min, or even every minute or two, depending on circumstances

Potency : Potency intensity of situation should match potency: 30C & 200C considered best for pregnancy and birth choice of potency does not matter too much watch language when reading: ‘in potency’ = homeopathic preparation of a substance; example: arnica in potency

Obtaining Remedies : Obtaining Remedies Buying a kit Pros you can get the 200C potencies which are hard to buy in stores each remedy is much less expensive Cons extra remedies can be confusing some you will never use expensive to start out Buying one-by-one Pros you know what you have can help you choose make one for each, pregnancy, birth, baby, postpartum, breastfeeding less expensive to start out Cons only few remedies are sold OTC in 200C potency may not have all on hand

How to Get Started : How to Get Started learn by using in your own life, with kids, friends; collect detailed info, keep a separate journal learn about only a very few remedies at a time, and learn them well; then expand from there, based on need don’t feel stupid if you have to look into books or even if you choose the wrong remedy at first; even experts do this, in fact, they do it all the time buy a selection of books, read up on each remedy you recommend in at least 2 references; it’s actually a blessing that you need books, takes out the legal risk for lay midwives choose American and British books; they often focus on different remedies, expanding your view; you might find OPIUM or ARSENICUM there, not usually available in the US Learn more:Piper Martin teaches 6 part course for midwives, doulas

Use of Homeopathy with Clients : Use of Homeopathy with Clients when you are comfortable, introduce to parents during pregnancy, the earlier the better; give them a simple, short guide (Brennan; Stokes); if they are interested, they will ask for more reassure parents: confusing that vials they buy in stores have conditions printed on the tube; sometimes these apply when considering a remedy, let mom speak freely, no directional questions for diagnosis; ask ‘What else?’ dispensing medicines from your kit: considerations

How-to-Use Basics : How-to-Use Basics Educate parents: store away from essential oils, avoid other strong smells, especially mints (mint tooth paste, breath mints), camphors (Blistex, Tiger balm, Noxema) and incense store in dark place, out of sunlight not with food; wait 30-60 min, mouth empty no smoking of caffeine, at least within 30 min. before and after unplug electric blankets avoid ionizing radiation no chewing pellets, but let dissolve under tongue do not touch pellets; tip onto dry tongue do not start acupuncture at same time as homeopathy; may confuse the picture

10 Recommended Remedies : 10 Recommended Remedies Bare Essentials CAULOPHYLLUM CIMICIFUGA PULSATILLA ARNICA Essentials ACONITUM HYPERICUM STAPHYSAGRIA IGNATIA SEPIA KALI CARB

CAULOPHYLLUM : CAULOPHYLLUM Key notes: false or non-productive labor pains Also: contractions irritable, spasmodic, intermittent, short, sharp mother nervous, generally weak, trembling Mother thirsty, chilly, sensitive to cold Therapeutics: some use this routinely for last month of pregnancy to prepare to make labor productive, or to stop false labor to complete miscarriage, or for postpartum hemorrhage

Cimicifuga : Cimicifuga Key notes: pessimism, fear, sense of gloom, threat of mental break-down mother feels like black cloud is hanging over her Also: abnormal, irregular contractions, non-productive mother feels chilly Therapeutics: to regulate labor, make cx more productive, overcome gloom often to prepare for labor synergistic pair: CAULOPHYLLUM & CIMICIFUGA

PULSATILLA : PULSATILLA Key notes: Changeability Like the European windflower, swaying in the wind Also: emotions often close to the surface in continuous motion; also wandering pains in labor Therapeutics: sovereign remedy for virtually every common complaint of pregnancy change baby’s position: breech; OP milk supply regulator, postpartum regulator

ARNICA : ARNICA Key notes: sore, bruise Also: Fatigue Overly sensitive Face hot, body cool Therapeutics: any kind of blunt trauma to the soft tissues: also for baby sometimes used preventatively, or with invasive actions during birth postpartum: bleeding, after pains; often used routinely

ACONITUM : ACONITUM Key notes: Fear, terror, violent pains; predicts hour of death Element of surprise Also: Flushed face, dry heat, extreme thirst for cold water Restlessness, palpitations thirst Therapeutics: Pregnancy: sexual abuse; previous birth trauma Unroductive labor; fear making vaginal exam impossible Panic attacks; rapid labor; VBAC; #1 for transition

HYPERICUM : HYPERICUM Key notes: Injury to nerves Therapeutics: First-aid remedy for any nerve injury or pain Sciatica coccyx

STAPHYSAGRIA : STAPHYSAGRIA Key notes: Cutting, knife wounds, stitches Therapeutics: Routinely after major or minor surgery of any kind: perineal repair; cesarean birth Never been the same since cesarean, tubal ligation, hysterectomy, etc. Genito-urinary infections or irritable bowels

IGNATIA : IGNATIA Key notes: Grief, grief, grief – past and present Also: Hysterical type; restless; sighs often Oversensitive to pain; in labor: rigid os, trembling legs Consolation irritates mother rather than helsp Therapeutics: Pregnancy: fear of miscarrying; previous bad outcome Also for fathers! Miscarriage, hemorrhage, after pains

SEPIA : SEPIA Key notes: Chilly, sensitive to cold Bearing down pains from uterus & cervix; sagging; prolapse Improvement with exercise (defining feature) Also: Depression, irritable Therapeutics: Considered a premier female remedy; supreme for every phase of pregnancy, together with PULSATILLA Superb remedy for common postpartum complaints, such as backache, hemorrhoids, fatigue, depression etc.

KALI CARB(ONICUM) : KALI CARB(ONICUM) Key notes: Back pain into buttocks, legs Therapeutics: OP

References - Books : References - Books Gillian Stokes, Teach Yourself Homeopathy. 1999 Stephen Cummings & Dana Ullman, Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. Safe and Effective Remedies for You and Your Family. 3rd revised edition 1997 Patty Brennan, ] Guide to Homeopathic Remedies for the Birth Bag. 4th ed. 2000 Richard Moskowitz, Homeopathic Medicines for Pregnancy & Childbirth. 1992 Miranda Castro, Homeopathy for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's First Year. 1993 Betty Idarius, The Homeopathic Childbirth Manual. A Practical Guide for Labor, Birth, and the Immediate Postpartum Period. 2nd ed. 1999 Dana Ullman, Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants. 1992 Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, Whole Woman Homeopathy. The Comprehensive Guide to Treating PMS, Menopause, Cystitis, and Other Problems - Naturally and Effectively. 2000 Anne Frye, Understanding Diagnostic Tests in the Childbearing Year. 7th ed. 2007, pp. 1237-1239

References – Internet & Articles : References – Internet & Articles www.homeopathic.com is the website of Homeopathic Educational Services by Dana Ullman, offering books, tapes, computer programs, remedies, research and education; read Ullman’s 10 most FAQ on Homeopathic Medicine here www.homeopathic.org Is maintained by the National Center for Homeopathy in Virginia, offering magazines, books, conferences and summer courses Cliff Passen, ‘A Primer of Homeopathy.’ Mothering 42 (Winter 1987), pp. 280-33 Midwifery Today has homeopathy pages by Peggy Sawyer and Piper Martin