HOMEOPATHY IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH - 1

Pregnancy is a very important milestone in a womans life where she undergoes various physiological and psychological changes. Since pregnancy can be stressful to a womans body, the health of the woman significantly affects the health of the fetus. Homeopathic medicines will help improve the health of the mother as well as the fetus thereby assuring a more positive pregnancy experience. Homeopathic medicines are gentle, safe, non-toxic, F ! approved and effective in treating various common problems of pregnancy and childbirth. "his being a very comprehensive topic # will segregate it between the $uly and !ugust articles. #n this article # will tal% about some common ailments during the pregnancy trimesters and their response to Homeopathic medicine. &onventional medicine generally suppresses symptoms rather than treating the underlying cause, and when ta%en during pregnancy does have a chance of various side effects on the fetus. Since Homeopathy wor%s with the body's natural defense system, Homeopathic medicines increase the probability of a healthy child. Homeopathy balances the whole system thus allowing the body to heal itself. (ach individual case can be assessed and individuali)ed to treat specific symptoms and wea%nesses. Some of the common ailments during pregnancy and labor that can be treated by using Homeopathic remedies are given below. "hese remedies are *ust a few of the commonly used Homeopathic remedies and are mentioned only to create awareness about the effectiveness of Homeopathic medicines in Pregnancy. #t is not advisable to resort to self-medication for any health condition. Fatigue: uring pregnancy the body has lots of ad*ustments to ma%e, metabolism steps up in order to support the developing baby as well as your own body, causing fatigue and feeling a need to sleep more than usual. uring initial wee%s after conception, your body begins to produce more blood to carry nutrients to the fetus. +our heart increases its wor% to accommodate this increased blood flow. "he hormone progesterone which is re,uired in high levels during pregnancy has a sedating effect. !lso any pains, anemia, depression, anxiety or insomnia may cause fatigue. "he combination of these changes contributes to the fatigue you may feel. Tips: "a%e ade,uate rest. (at a balanced diet. "he fatigue in early pregnancy can be worse if you're not getting enough iron or protein. #ncrease your level of exercise by wal%ing and swimming regularly. -assage on a regular basis can also help in stimulating your energy flow.

Ho eopat!i" #e e$ies: "a%e Ferrum Phos ./0 three times daily till you need it. Mo#%i%g Si"&%ess: "he most common illness is morning sic%ness which is caused by an increase in hormone levels during the early months of pregnancy. #t can range from mild nausea to constant vomiting re,uiring hospitali)ation. "his may be caused due to low blood sugar esp. when you have not eaten for some time, low blood pressure, hormonal changes, emotional stress, 1itamin 23 and iron deficiency, an excess of refined, spicy, or greasy foods, and pressure on the stomach from the growing uterus in the last few wee%s of pregnancy. #t can be more severe in a first pregnancy, in women carrying multiple fetuses or in women with other medical conditions. Tips: (ating carbohydrate-rich snac%s between meals can help.

! protein-rich snac% eaten half an hour before bedtime will ensure that your blood sugar level doesn't fall too low during the night. #ncrease iron-rich foods in your diet, such as beef, eggs, fruits and green leafy vegetables. rin% lots of fluids, and eat smaller meals more fre,uently. !void smells which trigger nausea. &onsider possible emotional causes and discuss your feelings with someone understanding.

Ho eopat!i" #e e$ies: #pecac 45& three times daily for five days, stopping earlier if symptoms start to improve. Moo$ S'i%gs: Hormonal changes and mixed feelings about your forthcoming parenthood can have a depressant effect on your nervous system, causing mood changes, unexplained crying and anxiety. "hese symptoms can last throughout the pregnancy. Tips: 6elaxing exercises and minimi)ing stress. Ho eopat!i" #e e$ies: Pulsatilla ./& for emotional women who are weepy for no reason, indecisive, with fre,uent changes in mood. Sepia ./& for feelings of dissatisfaction or indifferent behavior towards own family. Nasa( Stu))i%ess * Co($s: "his is due to the hormonal effects on the nasal passages, stress and fatigue. #t results from an increase in fluid in the mucous membrane linings, which causes swelling and a bloc%age of the sinuses. #f the bloc%ed sinuses become infected, sinusitis may develop causing headaches, pain at the base of the nose and around the eyes, which worsens if the head is lowered. Tips: rin% plenty of fluids. !dd two drops of eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and tea tree oils to a bowl of boiling water. #nhale for .5 minutes 4 times a day. !pply warm compresses to the front and sides of the face and around your eyes, nose and temples. 6elaxation exercises, minimi)ing stress, eating well and getting enough rest are important.

Ho eopat!i" #e e$ies: "a%e Silica ./& or 7ali 2ichromicum ./& three times daily for up to a wee%, stopping when symptoms start to improve. Di++i%ess * Fai%t%ess: hunger. i))iness during pregnancy can result from circulatory changes, stress, fatigue and

uring pregnancy the uterus has a great demand for blood supply which reduces the blood supply to other

parts of the body. 8arm weather, a warm bath, sudden change of position, standing for too long or too ,uic%ly can cause blood pooling in the legs or feet which leads to lac% of blood supply to the brain that becomes temporarily short of oxygen leading to di))iness and fainting. ! more serious but rare cause may be an ectopic pregnancy, especially if di))iness is severe and occurs with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. Tips: ont stand for too long, while standing practice contracting and relaxing your leg and buttoc% muscles to help the blood return to your head. 8hile resting, lie on your sides rather than your bac%.

"ry to %eep cool during hot weather and avoid getting up suddenly. #f you experience di))iness, sit with your head between your %nees or lie down with your feet elevated and head lower than your body. -aintain your blood sugar level by munching occasionally on snac%s.

Ho eopat!i" #e e$ies: Ferrum Phos 45& when you feel di))y, and repeat when needed. Hea#t,u#%: Progesterone relaxes the valve between the oesophagus and the stomach, ma%ing it easier for stomach acid to flow into the oesophagus, irritating the oesophagus and causing a burning sensation in the chest. Pressure on the stomach from the growing uterus may also cause stomach acid to flow upwards. Heartburn will be worse after meals, when lying down, straining or coughing. Tips: 7eep your meals small and fre,uent. Finish your evening meal at least two hours before going to bed. (at slowly, chewing your food well. !void lying down immediately after eating. !void spicy, greasy, sugary, acidic or other foods that disagree with you and try not to drin% with your meals as this dilutes the digestive *uices. (ating fennel seeds after meals will aid digestion. !void stimulants such as tea and coffee. "ry al%aline foods li%e yoghurt or mil% to ease burning, or mildly acidic foods li%e orange, pineapple or tomato *uice. Ho eopat!i" #e e$ies: !rsenicum !lbum ./& or &arbo 1eg ./& three times daily or whenever needed. Co%stipatio%9 &onstipation is common during and after pregnancy, when progesterone relaxes the muscles in the intestines causing food to move slowly through your digestive tract. !s a result, more water than usual is absorbed ma%ing your stool hard and dry. #nsufficient dietary fiber, synthetic iron supplements, commonly prescribed in pregnancy, can also cause constipation. Tips: rin% plenty of water, and eat plenty of fiber, fruits and vegetables. 8hen you feel the urge to go to the toilet, respond immediately. 2reathe deeply, relax and avoid straining when emptying your bowels. Prune *uice, dried prunes or figs soa%ed in water overnight can help move bowels easily. (xercise regularly.

Ho eopat!i" #e e$-: "a%e :ux vomica 30 three times daily for up to a wee%. C#a pi%g: ;ow levels of calcium, circulatory changes and the growing foetus pushing against the walls of your uterus, causes the uterus to continuously contract. "his causes cramps which are most common in the third trimester of pregnancy and are usually experienced as sharp aching pains in the thighs, calves or feet. Pressure from your uterus on the veins returning blood from your legs may cause leg cramps, especially at night. ! pulling or

stabbing pain in your groin or a sharp cramp down your side, especially after suddenly moving or reaching for something, may occur when you stretch your long ligament, one of several ligaments supporting the uterus. Tips: -assage the area firmly and stretch the muscle by extending your heel and bringing your toes toward you. Sleep with feet slightly elevated by placing a pillow under the feet. (xercise regularly and ma%e sure your diet contains ade,uate calcium and magnesium. issolve four tablets of -agnesia Phosphorica 30 in a tsp. of warm water and ta%e it

Ho eopat!i" #e e$-:

whenever you experience cramps. B#eat!(ess%ess: 2reathlessness is a result of extra oxygen demands for the increased metabolic rate. #t also occurs because the growing uterus changes the shape of the thorax and ma%es breathing harder. 2reathlessness is more li%ely to occur in women who are expecting large babies or twins, are overweight, unfit, anemic or have a deficient diet. Tips: (at a healthy balanced diet. "ry ta%ing deep breaths and maintain a good posture so your lungs have room to expand. 7eep your head elevated while sleeping. Sleeping on your left side will relieve pressure on ma*or blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Swimming is an excellent exercise that builds up your stamina.

Ho eopat!i" #e e$ies: !ntimonium "art ./& single dose as and when needed.

Ba"&a"!e: ;ow bac% pain extending down the legs is a common complaint during pregnancy especially in the last trimester, since this is the area of the body most stressed by the additional weight that you are carrying. the spine in preparation for birth which puts extra strain on the bac% and hips causing bac%ache. Tips: -assage with strengthening exercises for your bac% can help relieve your ache. !void wearing high heels, sleeping on an overly soft mattress and lifting heavy weights. "ry to maintain a good posture ta%ing care not to arch your bac%, wal% and stand with your feet parallel. uring pregnancy the high levels of progesterone result in the stretching and softening of ligaments in the pelvic area and

Ho eopat!i" #e e$ies: !rnica 45& or 6hus "ox ./& three times a day, or when needed. "he above mentioned remedies are *ust a few of the commonly used Homeopathic remedies and are mentioned only to create awareness about the effectiveness of Homeopathic medicines in Pregnancy. #t is not advisable to resort to self-medication for any disease. Hence, with the changes that your body and mind will go through over the several pregnancy months, Homeopathy is a gentle and effective means of supporting a healthy pregnancy.