ACONITE
If there is a lot of fear, especially of death, restlessness and anxiety. They become frantic from the pains and look very agonised and distressed. Can also get claustrophobic. Also good for the baby if it is in shock, is bluish and retaining urine. Symptoms come on suddenly.
ARNICA
Very helpful for physical exhaustion of long labours and where there is aching, bruised soreness. Also good after the birth to help soft tissues heal and reduce swelling. Consider for babies who have been delivered by forceps. The bed feels too hard, the patient does not want to be touched. There is heat in the upper part of the body while the lower half is cold.
BELLIS PERENNIS
Good for soreness of abdominal wall during the pregnancy and helps restore pelvic and uterine tone after the birth. Aids in involution (return of uterus to normal size). Good for pains which are unbearable and drive patient to distraction. Pains down front of thighs. The patient is worse for getting chilled when hot, touch, and better for continued motion.
CAULOPHYLLUM
Useful for contractions that are intense and painful but no progress in labour is happening. Cervix is rigid. Sharp pains in groin and bladder. Labour pains seem to shift to other areas e.g. breasts. Patient wants fresh air but is sensitive to the cold. Also useful for false labour pains.
CIMICIFUGA
Pain and distress seem out of proportion to the strength of contractions. Intermittent pains. Pains double patient up and they can get very excitable, cry out in agony, fears will go crazy if labour doesn’t continue. Typically, they get very depressed, negative and gloomy. Contractions may stop if someone comes into the room. Chill during contractions. Bruised, sore heavy aching pains, aching eyeballs. Can have rheumatic pains. Cannot sit still. Better for warmth, continued motion, open air.
GELSEMIUM
Patient feels weak, exhausted, tremulous, droopy. Face dusky red. Labour pains felt in the back. Soreness of uterus. Cervix doesn’t open or stops dilating at about 4cm. Patient may want to be held. There may be twitching. Think of this remedy also in anticipatory anxiety prior to labour.
HYPERICUM
Useful after an epidural anaesthetic to restore full functioning of nerves. Also, for pain following forceps delivery. Very painful shooting, lancinating pains. Pains in hips and small of back after labour. Worse cold. Better lying on face, bending back.
IPECAC.
Consider for bright red post-partum bleeding especially if blood is gushing in waves and patient experiences waves of nausea. Also, for intrapartum vomiting. Tongue is clean. Patient is thirst less. Hands and feet may have cold sweat. Worse warmth, better open air.
KALI PHOS.
Useful for exhaustion from pain of labour. Yawning, sadness and gloom. They crave food, then hungry again quickly after eating. Better for sleep, eating and gentle motion.
PULSATILLA
Useful for labour that stops and starts. Patient’s mood is changeable, weepy then laughing. They apologise for taking so long. Labour pains change and move about with every contraction. Feels very hot and wants the windows open. They are better for lots of reassurance.
STAPHISAGRIA
To be considered if an episiotomy or Caesarean section is performed. Promotes healing of incised wounds and helps the bladder to recover from catheterisation. May seem very sweet patients, but are sensitive, irritable and easily offended. There can be trembling. Pains are stitching and felt in the incision. Sleepiness during day and not at night. They feel better for warmth, rest and breakfast.
