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Homeopathic medicines are easy to take and administer, the format most commonly used during labour are the soft pillule tablet which dissolve quickly and easily under the tongue. The remedies come in a glass vial, the easiest way to take it is to shake one pill into the lid of the glass vial and put it directly into the mouth and allow it to dissolve under the tongue. Put it into a clean mouth if possible 15 mins before and after having anything to eat or drink. Obviously this does not apply in an emergency where it should be given as soon as possible. Although you can crush and dissolve remedies in water and sip them, do not swallow the pillule down with water, tea and coffee. If the remedy works repeat it only if the same symptoms return. If the symptoms change dramatically try to find the remedy that best matches the new picture.

Nikki Fitzpatrick is a registered classical Homeopath with the Irish Society of Homeopathy.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that uses naturally occurring substances in remedy format to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Nikki has also developed a CD for relaxation in pregnancy which is simple, pragmatic and easy to use.

Nikki would be glad to answer general questions in the use of Homeopathy in Pregnancy and Childbirth aswell as the treatment of common childhood ailments using Homeopathy. Nikki can also advise on relaxation in pregnancy and the benefits of same.

For More Details on Nikki Fitzpatrick click here.

Some Recent Questions:

Q. I am 25 weeks pregnant and considering the use of Homeopathy during my labour. I have read of the benefits but is it easy to administer the remedies and what specific remedies should we purchase?

A. The remedies can be bought individually in a homeopathic pharmacy (Nelsons, Duke st. Dublin), or a chemist or health food store.

The most common way to have a reasonable collection is to purchase a specific childbirth kit. This contains 18 remedies for use before, during or after labour. The potency (dosage) best to use during labour is 200c, this is standard in the labour kit.

The following remedies are commonly used throughout labour, the main one being

Arnica; It is a very good trauma remedy. Encourages healing, controls bleedng, reduces swelling, reduces exhaustion. To be taken throughout labour every few hours and after to alleviate battered and bruised feeling.

Aconite; Labour too quick, it is fast furious and violent with great fear and anxiety. Good remedy for shock.

Caulophyllum ; Labour is slow contractions are ineffective. Pains are centered at the base of the uterus or sometimes pains stop, with exhaustion and shaking, neuralgic pains. Can help if someone is in need of induction, this should be advised by a professional Homeopath.

Arsenicum; Vomiting in labour with fussiness and anxiety.

Chamomilla; Labour exceedingly painful, backache, generally obnoxious, angry impossible to please, ask for things that are not wanted.

Coffea; Contractions are ineffective or stop and are extremely painful; fear alternating with excitement ,restless makes jokes ,is generally talkative ,sensitive to noise.

Gelsemium; Labour is slow and sluggish, backache labour. Physical heaviness, lethargic, lifeless dazed and thirstless.

Kali Carb; Backache labour irritable, anxious and bossy.

Pulsatilla; Gives up during labour, weepy, clingy, loses courage, thirstless, hot and craves fresh air.

Hypericum; After forceps delivery or epidural, injury to coccyx, injury to spine.

Kali Phos; Often used for exhaustion in between contractions. Can be used throughout labour whenever energy is low.

Rescue remedy; A bach flower remedy ,have a glass of water with 5 drops of rescue remedy beside you all the time. Sip on it when you feel panicky or fearful.

It is advisable to go to a registered homeopath for a consultation to advice on the use of Homeopathy during labour, see www.irishhomeopathy.ie for one in your area. Your birth partner needs to be educated also in order to help you take the remedies.

If you do not want to purchase a kit, you can buy arnica in a 30c potency in health food shops, chemists etc and some rescue remedy, these two will help tremendously during labour, for the general trauma and bruising, and healing afterwards.

Good luck with it all, wishing you well with your labour.