Homeopathy for Pregnancy and Childbirth
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances often given in tablet form, which trigger the body’s natural system of healing. Based on your experience of your symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to you.

Homeopathy is often used  by women during pregnancy to help with the discomfort of minor complaints such as nausea or digestive disturbances.

Homeopathic medicines stimulate your own innate vitality in pregnancy and may benefit you & your baby by staying as healthy as possible during pregnancy.

Physical and emotional changes sometimes occur pregnancy as well as health problems such as nausea, mild urinary problems, diarrhoea, heartburn, backache, cramps, or emotional distress. These symptoms may be helped by professional homeopathic treatment.

Day courses & private consultations are available for mums to be and their partners to help prepare for labour and support post-partum issues homeopathically. Courses for midwives interested in undersatnding & using homeopathy are also available. See “Shop” tab on main header bar & “Workshops” section or contact Jane direct: 07 3368 1300.

What complaints can be helped by homeopathy?
Many symptoms may be helped with Homeoapthic Medicine however if your symptoms are severe or chronic (persistent), consult a registered homeopath, your midwife and/or your general practitioner. If you are already undergoing a course of homeopathic treatment, contact your homeopath before prescribing for yourself.

Nausea & vomiting
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 is 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 severe, for example if you are unable to keep food down and are losing weight or if it persists past your third month.

Constipation in pregnancy – Constipation is common in pregnancy as the hormones, which prepare the muscles of the pelvis for labour, can slow the digestive processes down. Adjusting your diet can often help mild constipation. Increase your intake of fluids (especially water), fruit and vegetables, go easy on wheat products (as the gluten can have a clogging effect). Any lasting change in your usual pattern of bowel movements should be assessed professionally.

What about diet?
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 take professional nutritional advice Avoid smoking and alcohol these have been shown to damage 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 increased demand. Foods rich in iron include green, leafy vegetables, blackstrap molasses, dried peaches and apricots, beans and lentils, whole grains, seeds (sunflower and pumpkin), and eggs.

Vitamin C can help 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 may have side effects such as constipation so ask your homeopath about homeopathic alternatives if you need extra iron and are not able to get it from your diet.

Many of the above foods (especially black-eye beans and blackstrap molasses) are also high in folic acid, an important trace mineral that helps with the absorption of iron and is essential for a healthy pregnancy.

How can homeopathy help during the birth?
There are remedies which can be effective in dealing with both physical & emotional problems during childbirth; such as , pain, excessive bleeding, excessive anxiety and other difficulties . Your homeopath will advise you and your partner on the use of remedies in labour. You might want to ask your homeopath if they can attend the birth or if they can recommend a labour kit.

 

Breastfeeding
Problems that can make it difficult for women to breastfeed successfully include mastitis, painful nipples and a slow milk supply or an oversupply of milk. Homeopaths recognise that breast milk gives babies the best possible start in life, so do keep in touch with your midwife, breastfeeding /lactation counsellor and/or your homeopath if you want to breastfeed but find it painful or difficult or both.

Treating Babies
Babies often  respond quickly to homeopathic treatment. There are homeopathic remedies to help relieve the pains of colic or teething, nappy rash and other 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”. Always seek the advice of a professional health practitioner if your baby develops symptoms whihc cause distress, inflammation or pain.

Ainsworth Mother and Child Remedy Kit & Booklet – Available from on-line shop or call 07 3368 1300
This home kit & self prescriber reference booklet is a helpful & instructive introduction to using homeopathy for the common complaints of pregnancy, childbirth and your child’s early years. It provides 42 commonly used homeopathic remedies together with  information each of the remedies with a guide  on how to use them for a variety of acute conditions and symptoms  such as:

Anxiety,  , Bedwetting, Back Pain, Bites and Stings, Boils and Abscesses, Burns,  Childbirth , Postpartum issues, , Baby Blues, Breastfeeding difficulties, sore breasts, , Clingy Babies and Children, Colds, Cold Sores, Colic, Constipation, Coughs,  Painful urination, Diarrhoea, Earache, Eye-Problems, Fevers, Grief, Hangover, Itchy/ runny eyes & nose Headaches, Indigestion and Flatulence, Injuries and Bruising, Itching and  Rashes, Joint Pains,  Nausea and Vomiting, Nosebleeds, Period Pains, Morning Sickness, Ligament Pain, , Shingles, Blocked nose, Sleep Problems & Nightmares, Sore Throat, Sprains and Strains, Teething,Yeast infections, Toothache, & Travel Sickness .

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN ANY LONG-TERM OR CHRONIC ILLNESS THE ADVICE OF YOUR MEDICAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL SHOULD ALWAYS BE SOUGHT.

How to find a qualified and registered homeopath
A homeopath with the AHA registration is your guarantee of a fully qualified healthcare professional who is fully insured and has agreed to abide by a strict code of ethics and practice. To find a homeopath visit www.homeopathyoz.org