Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy
Homeopathy has a great deal to offer pregnant women, during pregnancy and the delivery. Homeopathic medicines are safe for your growing baby because only a minute amount of the active ingredient is used in their preparation (1).
By stimulating your vitality in pregnancy, homeopathic treatment can benefit your baby and by staying as healthy as possible during pregnancy, you are giving your baby the ideal conditions in which to thrive.
Physical and emotional changes during pregnancy may cause health problems such as nausea, mild urinary problems, diarrhoea, heartburn, anaemia, varicose veins, backache, cramps, thrush or emotional distress. All these problems and other potentially complicated symptoms such as raised blood pressure, may be helped by professional homeopathic treatment (2)
Labour
There are many remedies that can help with problems during labour such as retained placenta, ineffectual contractions, prolonged labour, uterine haemorrhage etc.
Homeopathic treatment during pregnancy is a good way to ensure maximum health at the time of birth and can prevent these problems from arising.
After the Birth
Homeopathy can be used to help speed up the healing process for yourself and your baby. Homeopathy can provide relief from ailments such as shock, bruising, soreness, exhaustion and post natal ‘blues’. Homeopathy can also be effective with breast feeding problems such as cracked and sore nipples or poor milk supply.
Doula Services
“It is clear to me that a woman inherently knows how to give birth when she is given the loving support to believe in herself”
Betty Idarius, midwife & author of The Homeopathic Childbirth Manual (1999).
Medical research has shown time and again the importance of emotional support during labour and birth to enhance our experience of birth as well as positively influencing the birth outcome and supporting the bonding process.
As a trained Doula, I can be booked to attend your labour, and can also offer Doula post natal support services to help you through the early days of motherhood.
This type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.
Research has shown that having a doula present at a birth:
- Shortens first-time labour by an average of 2 hours
- Decreases the chance of caesarean section by 50%
- Decreases the need for pain medication
- Helps fathers participate with confidence
- Increases success in breast-feeding
(Findings taken from "Mothering the Mother" by Klaus, Kennell & Klaus, 1993)
References:
(1) Dantas F Rampes H. Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. BR Homeopathic Journal J, 2000; 89 (Supl): 535-8
(2) Goodman S. Quality of life in pregnant women in homeopathic or mainstream medical type care and the course of the pregnancy (review). Positive Health, 1999; 43.