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Pregnancy and Delivery Support

Pregnancy is an absorbing and interesting time for most women, and also involves a lot of stress. Many emotional, hormonal, and physical changes take place as the baby grows and the woman prepares for motherhood. Homeopathic remedies can help a woman’s body deal with various stresses, and help to maintain its balance as the pregnancy proceeds. Care and guidance from a competent, sympathetic physician or midwife are important during pregnancy—both for general support and to watch for complications.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is Homeopathy?

Arnica: This remedy is often indicated for relief of soreness that comes from physical exertion and muscle strain. It is also useful for soreness after labor and delivery, and for hemorrhoids that follow childbirth.

Calcarea phosphorica: This remedy can help to strengthen a woman who tends toward easy tiredness, poor digestion, cold hands and feet, and poor absorption of nutrients. Some women who need this remedy find only “junk food” appealing during pregnancy, or have cravings for smoked and salty food. A history of easy tooth decay and aching bones and joints can also suggest a need for this remedy. A person who needs Calc phos is often irritable because of tiredness, and may long for travel or a change of circumstances.

Caulophyllum: This remedy may be helpful to women with weak muscle tone in the uterus. A history of irregular periods, slow and difficult labor with previous deliveries, or weakness of the cervix may bring this remedy to mind. The woman may feel erratic pains like sticking needles, or episodes of contracting pain. She typically feels nervous, shaky, and trembling (sometimes irritable, as well).

Carbo vegetabilis: This remedy can be helpful to a woman who feels weak and faint during pregnancy, with poor circulation, a general feeling of coldness, and a craving for fresh or moving air. She may also have frequent digestive upsets with burning pain and a tendency to belch. A woman who is deeply tired from overwork, many pregnancies close together, or a previous illness may regain some strength with Carbo vegetabilis.

Cimicifuga (also called Actaea racemosa): This remedy can be helpful to women who are nervous and talkative, with a tendency to feel fearful and gloomy during pregnancy. They may become overagitated and fear a miscarriage — sometimes having pains that feel like labor pains too early, or pains that shoot from hip to hip and down the thighs.

Ferrum metallicum: A woman who has a sturdy build, but looks very pale and weary—flushing red from any exertion or emotion—may respond to this remedy. Ferrum is often helpful in correcting anemic tendencies.

Ferrum phosphoricum: This remedy can be helpful for nervous, sensitive women who often feel weak or tired, with easy flushing of the face and a tendency toward anemia. A woman who needs this remedy often has a slender build and may develop frequent neck and shoulder stiffness.

Nux vomica: This remedy may be useful for indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain, and constipation during pregnancy. A woman needs this remedy usually is impatient, irritable, and chilly.

Pulsatilla: This remedy is often helpful at times of strong hormonal changes, especially to women who are moody and emotional, and want a lot of affection and attention. They often crave desserts or butter and may overeat, which can lead to indigestion and nausea, or excessive weight-gain. Pregnant women who need this remedy feel uncomfortable in hot weather and in stuffy rooms, improving from gentle exercise in open air.

Sepia: Women who are tired, dragged out, and irritable during pregnancy (feeling overburdened by demands of family members, or with little enthusiasm for the pregnancy) may benefit from this remedy. Poor circulation, nausea, constipation, a tendency toward accidental urine loss, and a feeling of sagging or weakness in the pelvic floor, and an energy-boost from exercise are other indications for Sepia.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label. Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient. If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy. For more information, including references, see What is Homeopathy? and Understanding Homeopathic Potencies. Copyright © 1999 Healthnotes, Inc. 1505 SE Gideon St., Suite 200, Portland, OR 97202 Authors of the best-selling book The Natural Pharmacy The information presented in Healthnotes Online is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your physician, nutritionally oriented healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. © 2001 The Vitamin Shoppe  The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by The Vitamin Shoppe or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Please view our full Terms of Use Agreement for more information and the terms and conditions governing your use of this site.