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MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR BACK LABOR
& POSTERIOR PRESENTATION
by Piper Martin, DS Hom. Med.
© 2001 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved.
[Editor's note: This article first appeared in Midwifery Today Issue 58, Summer 2001.]
Homeopathic remedies are a safe and effective means of treating a woman experiencing back labor. Homeopathic medicine along with comfort measures such as counter-pressure, hydrotherapy and positioning are very positive means of assisting the baby to move into the most desirable position for birth and result in more effective contractions with a shorter and a less painful labor for the mother. Homeopathic remedies are easy to administer and act quickly and dynamically to alleviate back pain. They should be given in the following manner:
Use a 200C potency of the appropriate remedy.
Tip the remedy pellets into the lid of the container and place directly into the woman's mouth; avoid touching with your hands.
Use a 1:10 time frame to assess the effectiveness of your remedy. If the woman has been experiencing back labor for three hours you should begin to see a change in the location of the pain within 18-20 minutes. If the remedy does not seem to be reacting in your time frame you may want to continue observing and talking to your client until another remedy picture is clear to you.
Administering an incorrect remedy will do no harm; the result will be that there is no effect.
There are several remedies that can be quite effective in alleviating the pain of back labor. They may cause the baby to shift positions or even turn from a posterior presentation.* Following are several remedies that present with pain in the back and the differential diagnosis for each.
KALI CARBONICUM (POTASH)
Kali Carbonicum Case: "Charlotte" was in labor for four hours. She was experiencing most of the contractions in her lower back. The midwife told me that the baby had been posterior for the entire pregnancy. I gave Charlotte a single dose of Kali Carbonicum 200C. The midwife checked Charlotte's dilation at this point and she was six centimeters. After two contractions the baby had turned and Charlotte began experiencing contractions in her abdomen. One hour later she delivered her daughter.
SYMPTOMS FOR KALI CARBONICUM
Pains experienced in the lumbar region.
Very severe pains in the back, as if her back would break.
Desires constant pressure on her back.
Pain may pass from the back through the gluteal muscles with cutting pain in the abdomen.
Extremely chilly to the point of trembling.
Touchy, both mentally and physically - is worse from being touched.
Worse 2-4 a.m.
POSTERIOR PRESENTATIONS
GELSEMIUM (YELLOW JASMINE)
This is a remedy used for a woman who is about to begin pushing but the baby appears to ascend rather than descend with each contraction.
SYMPTOMS FOR GELSEMIUM
Pains from the uterus up the back or extending to the back and hips.
Nervous chills up the back.
Baby appears to ascend rather than descend with each contraction.
May lose her dilation during a pelvic exam.
Weakness.
Dullness - heavy eyelids, flushed and puffy face.
Drowsy and listless - sleepy when she should be pushing.
Performance anxiety - this woman may be feeling pressured to perform.
CIMICIFUGA (BLACK COHOSH)
Cimicifuga is an excellent remedy when there is lack of progress at any stage of labor. The labor pains of Cimicifuga are present but they are not effective. Cimicifuga will help dilate the cervix.
SYMPTOMS FOR CIMICIFUGA
Misplaced labor pains felt in the back, hips and thighs instead of the uterus.
Pains may shoot up and down the thighs or across the pelvis from hip to hip.
Cramping in the large muscles.
Fear that something bad will happen.
Talks incessantly to relieve her fear.
Sensitive to noise.
Worse from cold.
May become hysterical with the pain.
CIMICIFUGA PRODUCTS
House of Nutrition: Cimicifuga Racemosa 6C, Boirons, 80 Pellets
House of Nutrition: Cimicifuga Racemosa 30C, Boirons, 80 Pellets
COFFEA CRUDA (UNROASTED COFFEE)
SYMPTOMS FOR COFFEA CRUDA
Faints due to pain and hyper-excitement of the nervous system.
Over-sensitivity to pain, despair from pain.
All senses more acute
Sleeplessness after delivery (great for midwives and doulas after too much coffee).
Sleeplessness due to excitement from attending a birth.
Only pain experienced is in the small of her back.
May cry out or scream with extreme fear.
NUX VOMICA (POISON NUT)
SYMPTOMS FOR NUX VOMICA
Irregular pains when the labor does not progress.
Ineffectual labor pains extend to the back and rectum.
Desire to move the bowels and to urinate - she will comment on this feeling often.
Major remedy for fainting during labor.
Inflammation or fever after labor with a desire to have a bowel movement.
Irritable and impatient.
Oversensitive to all external impressions.
Very chilly.
POSTPARTUM CARE
A woman who has experienced severe back labor or an epidural may have residual pain after delivery. I would strongly recommend that Hypericum 200C and Arnica 200C be given for three days following labor for women who are experiencing back or neck pain or headaches. They should take the remedies twice a day in alternating doses, to alleviate the discomfort and assist with the healing process. I would also recommend chiropractic adjustments to help the mother recover fully.
ARNICA PRODUCTS
Arnica Montana is used primarily to relieve the after-effects of falls, blows, bruising, sports injuries and overexertion. It is available for external use as massage oil, tincture-extracts, creams and lotions as well as homeopathic tabs to be taken internally. Externally arnica is used in the form of an infusion, a fomentation, or diluted tincture of the flowers, both to prevent and discuss local inflammations, to remove ecchymosis, and as a dressing for cuts, lacerations, contusions, etc.
Kalyx: Backache With Arnica, Hylands Homeopathics, 100 Tabs
Kalyx: Arnica Flowers Whole (Arnica montana), Frontier Bulk Herbs, 1 lb
Kalyx: Arnica Flowers Powder (Arnica montana), Kalyx Bulk Herbs, 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
Kalyx: Arnica Tincture-Extract (Arnica montana), Health & Herbs, 2 fl. oz.
Kalyx: Arnica Tincture-Extract (Arnica montana), Health & Herbs, 8 fl. oz.
Arnica is used for soreness in the small of the back, lame back, general weakness of the muscles of the back, with soreness prevailing, sickening backache in the region of the kidneys, are all benefited by arnica. It not only relieves the soreness and the bruised conditions, when given internally, but quickly overcomes the ecchymosis. As an external application, to cuts, bruises, lacerations, and sores, arnica has long been a popular domestic remedy. It is used in full strength, but the best results are not so attained. It is more serviceable when diluted with from one to six parts of warm water. It is a stimulant to the skin, promoting absorption of nutritive material. It undoubtedly assists in carrying off the broken down tissue, which results from the traumatism, and promotes rapid repair. In cases where the muscles beneath the skin were severely lacerated, torn and bruised, an application of one part of arnica with five parts of warm fresh sweet milk, keeping the application warm, covered with a protective dressing, and renewed every two or three hours. It is incredible how rapidly the restoration will take place. Use 6-12 drops in juice, water, under the tongue or as desired. May be taken 3 times daily. Shake well. Store in cool dark place. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use on open wounds. About 30 dropperfuls per fl oz. 30-40 drops per dropperful. Herbal tinctures (extracts) are a highly effective way to administer herbs. They are very concentrated, they work faster than teas and are four to eight times stronger than capsules. Extracts are easily digestible and quickly assimilate into the system.
HerbsPro: Arnica Oil, NOW Foods, 8 fl. oz.
Arnica Warming Relief Massage Oil captures the soothing essence of Arnica to provide immediate warmth and relief to tired, overworked muscles. Set in a base of antioxidant-rich Olive Oil, this deep-penetrating massage oil contains potent Arnica, in addition to a perfectly arranged collection of essential oils and other natural extracts.
HerbsPro: Arnica Rub, Bioforce USA, 3.5 oz.
Made with the power of fresh herbs New Arnica Rub is not homeopathic. It’s made from fresh, organically-grown Arnica Montana. It has all the strength of a fresh herb. And it’s clinically shown to be effective. It’s uniquely fast-working, too. In fact, Arnica Rub is so unique, you’ll feel the benefits almost immediately.
HerbsPro: Arnica Montana, Boericke & Tafel Homeopathics, 30 C, 100 Tabs
Arnica Montana 30C 100 Tablet by Boericke & Tafel Homeopathics is a homeopathic anti-inflammatory that may be used for traumatic injury, bruises, strained joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, tensive backache, concussion, stroke, heart strain and for reducing pain and bleeding after surgery.
HerbsPro: Backache With Arnica, Hylands, 100 Tabs
Hyland's Low Back Pain Tablets is a traditional formula for the relief symptoms of pains in the lower bac, pain due to strain, overexertion, cold or exposure. Hyland's Low Back Formula with Arnica is all-natural and effective for any age. It contains Arnica Montana, which is the most commonly used homeopathic medicine for the relief of muscular pain. Working without contraindications or side effects, Hyland's Low Back Formula stimulates your body's natural healing response to relieve symptoms.
HerbsPro: Arnica Cream, Boiron, 2.5 oz.
Arnica Cream for muscle aches, stiffness and bruises. Non greasy texture. Great for massaging sore muscles. Boiron Arnica Cream has a smooth texture and Boiron Arnica Cream is also suitable for use on the face. Arnica montana is a mountain plant (leopard's bane) found in the Northwest part of the United States as well as Central Europe. Generations of athletes, trainers and parents have long enjoyed the relief that Arnica provides. For homeopathic relief of muscle aches and stiffness due to minor injuries, overexertion, falls and blows. Reduces pain, swelling and discoloration from bruises.
HerbsPro: Arnica Gel, Roberts Research Labs, 7.5 oz.
Arnica Montana is a mountain plant found in Northwest region of the U.S. It is indicated as a superb homeopathic therapy for muscle soreness and bruises by speeding up the body’s natural healing process. Arnica Care Gel is non-greasy, fragrance free and quickly absorbed by the skin. No burn, no chill.
HerbsPro: Arnica Lotion Spray, Hylands, 4 oz.
Arnica Spray is a soothing lotion for external use on bruises, strains, rheumatism, and sore strained joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Contains 10% extract of arnica montana flowers. Apply spray on affected area as needed.
TakeHerb: Hyland's Backache With Arnica, Homeopathic, 100 Tabs
TakeHerb: Arnica Flowers (Arnica montana), Starwest Botanicals, 4 oz.
TakeHerb: Arnica Flowers Whole (Arnica montana), Starwest Botanicals, 1 lb
For more Arnica products, visit the banner links of our merchants below or visit the provided links above and do a search for Arnica. They have many more products available to choose from.
Piper Martin, B.Ed., DS Hom. Med., is a classical homeopath who specializes in pregnancy and newborn care and is a consultant for doulas, midwives and naturopaths. She practices in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada at The Equinox Center for Natural Health. She is the mother of Gabriel, a four-year old boy. You can contact her at hyos@attcanada.ca.
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