Homeopathy for birthing and postpartum
Homeopathy is the world’s second form of medicine (yep, let that sink in for a hot minute), and it’s safe, natural and effective. It has no contraindications with other supplements or medication. It makes PERFECT sense to use it before, during and after labour!
The basic principle of homeopathic treatment is that symptoms a person experiences can be treated by a substance that would cause the same symptoms if given to a healthy person. This is based on the ‘Law of Similars’ or ‘like cures like’.
Essentially, by giving a substance in a diluted amount it can trigger the body's innate healing, known as The Vital Force, so the body can heal. This is actually how a number of vaccines and medicines work.
With that in mind, let’s keep it REALLY simple when it comes to what homeopathics to pack in your hospital bag (and if you’re planning a homebirth, then what homeopathics to have on the kitchen bench so your partner can eyeball them!)
Dosing and frequency
My general rule of thumb for using homeopathy acutely is, select the remedy that is most similar to the symptom picture, and take 1-2 drops of the chosen remedy every 30 minutes.
You can take the remedy either straight on the tongue OR add 1-2 drops to a bottle of water and sip on it. I make up homeopathic remedies in 15ml liquid dropper bottles, so they’re really easy to use. Otherwise if you buy ready-made homeopathics they’ll often be in the small sugar pills; 1-2 pilules is one dose.
You should notice an improvement with the condition after 2-3 doses, if you haven’t, no biggie - just select another remedy. Always follow this ‘rule’ - select a remedy that’s most similar to your symptoms (or your partners/child’s symptoms).
If you have any more questions around dosing and frequency, PLEASE connect with me. We can have a 1:1 and create a personalised homeopathy birthing and beyond plan. If you have ordered your Birth and Beyond Homeopathy Kit or your Homeopathy Health Kit, you get an eBook and tutorials with your kit, which cover all this info!
Back to it, you’ll pretty quickly see that Arnica is the number one remedy for pregnancy, birth and postpartum! Arnica is also one of the most well-known and research homeopathic remedies. It’s referred to (time and time again) in the scientific literature for its anti-inflammatory, pain management and healing benefits. There’s a scientific study paper that refers to Arnica, saying “Arnica… it is in equal effectiveness to conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in treatment of postoperative pain, swelling, and functional limitations.
Read the study here - National Library of Medicine
PREGNANCY & BIRTH
#1 remedy for pregnancy:
Arnica fibonnaci homochords (2 drops in water/on the tongue) once or twice a day, taken the day of birth and for 2 weeks following
Arnica helps with shock and trauma emotionally, and supports soft tissue injury, bruising, swelling and pain, physically
Top 7 remedies for birth:
Arnica F H - Useful in first stage of labour. Take 1-2 drops of Arnica, every 30 minutes throughout the entire labour, to support swelling, inflammation, bruising, tissue damage and pain. Continue to take for 2 weeks after birth for postpartum healing, shock and trauma.
Chamomilla F H - Useful in second stage of labour. The key characteristic is irritability; the birthing woman may order people out of the room or plan to leave the hospital/birthing suite. Intense pain with irritability/anger.
Caulophyllum F H can be used to soften the cervix, initiate labour and for weak contractions. Think of this remedy when the cervix fails to dilate or if labour stalls/intermittent. Women can often take it each day to prepare the body for birth - taken for 2 weeks before their due date or from 38 weeks pregnancy.
Cimicifuga 200C for closed cervix, A useful remedy when a woman may feel fearful from a previous miscarriage or negative birth experience.
Hypericum for any tearing or cutting (second-degree tear or third-degree tear, episiotomy or C-section), Hypericum helps with shooting, tearing pain and can stimulate the repair of nerve damage.
Pulsatilla, where the characteristic symptom is changeable and often the woman is weepy. Labour may be slow and exhausting. She doesn’t want to be left alone and may have ‘baby blues’. A key hormone balancing remedy.
Gelsemium: where the characteristic symptom is fear; she may be fearful of birth and/or anxious with diarrhoea. Her labour may be late due to anticipatory anxiety. Useful for back pain during labour, and if labour stops for long periods of time
BIRTH TIP: To initiate strong contractions, you can alternate between Caulophyllum and Cimicifuga; take a remedy every 30 minutes, and continue alternating between the two remedies for up to 2 hours.
POSTPARTUM
The Birth and Beyond Starter kit includes 7 homeopathic medicines for pregnancy, birth and newborn ailments, and the Birth and Beyond Plus kit includes 10 remedies, which is for pregnancy, birth, newborn ailments and common postpartum support/challenges.
Birth & Beyond Starter Kit (7 remedies)
Caulophyllum
Chamomilla
Cimifuga
Gelsemium
Hypericum
Pulsatilla
Birth & Beyond Plus Kit (10 remedies):
Caulophyllum
Chamomilla
Cimifuga
Gelsemium
Hypericum
Pulsatilla
Staphysagria
These remedies can support a healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum period, as well as common acute infant/childhood ailments and first aid situations including: cuts, wounds, earache, mild fever, mastitis, breastfeeding issues, tantrums and teething. You can read more about specific postpartum remedies including Oxytocin and Sepia.
The potency of the homeopathic medicines in the kit are Fibonacci homochords, which means there’s ten potencies of the same homeopathic medicine in the one bottle. The potencies range from 3C to 233C, which enables your body to take the frequency that it needs from the homochord to stimulate the healing response. This is why Fibonnaci homochords is considered to offer the most gentle yet rapid response.
How frequently you take the medicine depends on the intensity of the complaint, signs and symptoms. The more acute the complaint, the more often you take a remedy. For birth and acute conditions, repeat a dose (= 2 drops), every 10-15 minutes until symptoms improve.For moderate/intense conditions such as breastfeeding issues and for postpartum support, repeat a dose (= 2 drops) every 3 hours until symptoms improve.
For existing patients:
You can order your very own ‘Homeopathy Birth and Beyond Kit’ from me, if you’re an existing patient that I’ve worked with in the last 6 months. The kit is available for active patients, only. Otherwise, you can order the birth kit alongside an initial consultation. This way you can get a personalised holistic birth plan in a consultation, which includes nutritional recommendations, review of recent bloods/tests, herbal medicine and/or specific homeopathic recommendations and other tips. Book your 1:1 online or face-to-face consultation here
The Birthing and Beyond Kit includes:
7 key birthing remedies (all in a fibonacci homochord)- Arnica Hypericum, Pulsatilla, Gelsemium, Caulophyllum, Cimicifuga and Chamomilla. You can order the 3 additional postpartum remedies through Olivia
A homeopathy eBook
A homeopathy tutorial recording
Express post (Aus post, otherwise international fee applies)
For new patients:
An initial consultation + birthing kit package includes a 60-90 minute initial consultation + birthing kit and is priced at $399 (valued at $519). Book your initial consultation + Birth & Beyond Kit here
This information is for educational purposes only; it is not a prescription or recommendation for you. Please speak to your health practitioner so you can get personalised advice.