HOMEOPATHY FOR LABOUR

 

A MINI MATERIA MEDICA FOR KEY REMEDIES

 
 
 
 

REMEDY KEYNOTES

 
 

ACONITE

MIND: FEARFUL; ANTICIPATORY FEARS; FEARFUL that she or the baby might die; TERROR; FRIGHT; HYSTERIA; PANIC; extreme ANXIETY, RESTLESSNESS; MOANING; consider where FEAR IS STOPPING LABOUR PROGRESS; FACIAL EXPRESSION - PENSIVE, ANGUISHED, ANXIOUS; easily STARTLED; INTOLERANT to being PHYSICALLY EXAMINED;

CONTRACTIONS: onset SEVERE; onset RAPID; INTENSE; SORENESS IN THE BACK; CONTRACTED sensations on specific parts of the body; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE]; contractions WITHOUT EFFECT and may ENTIRELY STOP due the position of the BABY;

BIRTH CANAL: DRY; TENDER; HOT; CERVIX UNDILATED; SENSITIVITY of TISSUES;

PHYSICAL: oppressed BREATHING; HEAD may be HOT, HEAVY, restlessness with HEAD PAIN; FAINTNESS; MOUTH DRY;

THIRST: thirst EXTREME

MODALITIES: WORSE for COLD; NIGHT; TOUCH; PRESSURE; LIGHt, NOISE, MUSIC

AFTER THE BIRTH; FEAR REMAINS;

ARNICA

MIND: DISTRESSED; DULL SHOCK; SUFFERING but DENIES it “I’M FINE”; RESTLESS due to the soreness; AGGRAVATED by being EXAMINED;

CONTRACTIONS; VIOLENT PAINS; IRREGULAR; SPASMODIC - occurs suddenly; PAINFUL yet too WEAK for which LABOUR then FAILS TO PROGRESS; contractions in response to MOVEMENT OF THE BABY; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE]

BIRTH CANAL; UTERUS FATIGUED

PHYSICAL: body feels COLD; HEAD feels HOT; feels SORE even BRUISED all over; DRY MOUTH;

THIRST: THIRSTLESS even though they have a DRY MOUTH but can also be THIRSTY

POST LABOUR; RETENTION of URINE;

MODALITIES: BETTER from TOUCH, LYING DOWN especially where there is the desire to lie to the LEFT SIDE, COOLNESS

ARsenicum album

MIND: RESTLESSNESS; VERY ANXIOUS especially about their HEALTH or the health of their BABY; FASTIDIOUS; INSOMNIA or DIFFICULT RESTING;

CONTRACTIONS;

BIRTH CANAL;

PHYSICAL: VERY SENSITIVE TO COLD;

THIRST:

POST LABOUR;

MODALITIES:

BELLADONNA

MIND: ANGRY; WILD; RAGING; NERVOUSNESS; FRIGHT but can also be FEARLESS;

CONTRACTIONS; INTENSE; DISTRESSING; SEVERE; SPASMODIC; PAIN that DRAWS from the BACK to the THIGHS; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE]

BIRTH CANAL; genital region RIGID, HOT, TRENDER, VERY DRY; cervix FAILS TO SOFTEN; EXTREME CERVIX TENSION

PHYSICAL: FACE or BODY FLUSHED RED; EYES GLISTENING, PUPILS may be DILATED; CRAMPING LEGS, HANDS; FAINTNESS; EXHAUSTION; HEADACHE that may be INTENSE and POUNDING;

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE from TOUCH, DRAFTS in the room; BETTER from WARMTH

BELLIS PERENNIS

MIND:

CONTRACTIONS;

BIRTH CANAL;

PHYSICAL:

THIRST:

MODALITIES:

Stasis, fatigue, excitability. Aching pains, injuries, bruising, pain of the deeper tissues, post labour pains, affinity for the pelvic organs and breasts. Uterine prolapse,

BRYONIA

MIND:

CONTRACTIONS;

BIRTH CANAL;

PHYSICAL:

THIRST:

MODALITIES:

CALENDULA

MIND:

CONTRACTIONS;

BIRTH CANAL;

PHYSICAL:

THIRST:

MODALITIES:

Very irritable, extreme nervousness, frightened, sleepy, anxious. Pelvic area feels heavy, Wounds, abrasions, lacerations, soreness, vaginal tears post labour, pains on sudden movements. Better walking, warmth, stillness.

CARBO VEGETALIS

MIND: INDIFFERENT; ANXIOUS;

CONTRACTIONS; FAILURE TO PROGRESS and may STOP ENTIRELY; PAINS move from the GROINS DOWN THE LEGS; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE]

BIRTH CANAL; VEINS of VULVA may be DISTENDED, SWOLLEN, TWISTED;

PHYSICAL: VERY WEAK; FAINT; AIR HUNGER;

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE being WARM, STUFFY ROOM; BETTER for OPEN AIR, FRESH AIR on the FACE

CAULOPHYLLUM

MIND: NERVOUSNESS; FRETFUL; IRRITABLE; APPREHENSIVE

CONTRACTIONS; DISTRESSING; INTENSE; IRREGULAR; TOO SHORT; SPASMODIC; SHARP; CRAMPING; TOO WEAK to build up adequate CONTRACTIONS; “FALSE” LABOUR PAINS; LABOUR that has STAGNATED and is FAILING TO PROGRESS;

BIRTH CANAL; UTERINE CRAMPING; LACK OF UTERINE TONE; genitals RIGID, NEEDLE-LIKE PAINS; PROFUSE SECRETION of MUCOUS;

PHYSICAL: EXHAUSTED; FEVERISH; NAUSEA; FAINTNESS; TREMBLING especially INTERNAL TREMBLING; SHIVERING;

THIRST: THIRSTY especially DURING CONTRACTIONS

MODALITIES: WORSE from COLD but BETTER from COLD FRESH AIR, FIRM PRESSURE on the BACK

AFTER LABOUR; RETAINED PLACENTA

PRESCRIBING NOTE: do not give too frequently

CHAMOMILLA

MIND: INTENSE STATE may express “I CANNOT BARE THIS ANYMORE”; RUDE; NERVOUS; ANGRY; MOANING; AGITATED; OVERSENSITIVE to any NOISE, PAIN, EXAMINATION; may flatly REFUSE EXAMINATION; FEAR from the PAIN

CONTRACTIONS; UNBEARABLE PAIN; SEVERE; DISTRESSING; CRAMPING; SPASMODIC; may be felt in the BACK with PAIN MOVING UPWARDS; TEARING sensations; SHOOTING PAINS with keynote of these pains down the INNER LEG; CANNOT GET COMFORTABLE;

BIRTH CANAL; RIGID; BURNING SENSATIONS; INTENSE PAINS; DARK COAGULATED VAGINAL BLOOD

PHYSICAL: FREQUENT NEED to URINATE; NAUSEA; HEADACHE; FAINT; DIZZY; HEADACHE; FLUSHED-RED FACE; LOOSE STOOLS; FLATULENT [GASSY];

THIRST: VERY THIRSTY

MODALITIES: WORSE from the PAIN, NOISE; BETTER from MOVING AROUND;

CHINA OFFICINALIS

MIND:

CONTRACTIONS; PAINS may be DIGGING, TEARING; AGGRAVATED by being TOUCHED DURING specifically the HANDS; TOO WEAK TO PROGRESS with LABOUR; may ENTIRELY STOP;

BIRTH CANAL; INERTIA of the organs;

PHYSICAL: EXHAUSTED; FAINT; DIZZY;

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE from LOSS OF BODILY FLUIDS - blood, perspiration, salivation; NOISE; BETTER from FRESH AIR ON THE FACE, particularly COOL AIR

CIMICIFUGA [BLACK COHOSH]

MIND: DARK MOOD; DEPRESSION; MELANCHOLIC; FEARFUL of the BIRTH, ERRATICE INTENSE BEHAVIOUR as though GOING INSANE - there is a quality of CRAZINESS; DELUSIONAL; HYSTERIA; PARANOID; NERVOUSNESS; FIDGETY; COMPLAINING; RESTLESSNESS;

CONTRACTIONS; SPASMODIC; IRREGULAR; may STOP ALTOGETHER; CONTRACTIONS may START WITH BEING COLD and then STOP on becoming WARM; CRAMPING PAIN in the HIPS; PAIN ACROSS HIP-TO-HIP; LABOUR PAINS are SLOW

BIRTH CANAL; tissues are ERRATIC - RIGID then DILATED then RESTRICTED; the UTERUS becomes INERT; TENSE CERVIX

PHYSICAL: TREMBLING; TWITCHING; FAINT; CHILLY; HEADACHE; HISTORY of STILLBIRTHS;

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE from NOISE; PAIN; BETTER from WARMTH, EATING, REST

COFFEA CRUDA

MIND: IRRITABLE; RESTLESS; INTENSE; HEIGHTENED; FEARFUL; CRAZED; EXCITABLE; MANY IDEAS; DESPAIR; TEARFUL; OVERSENSITIVE; FEARFUL particularly of DEATH; consider alongside of after ACONITE

CONTRACTIONS; IRREGULAR, DISTRESSING; SEVERE; INERT; contractions may STAGNATE or STOP ENTIRELY when TALKING; PAIN in the LOWER BACK;

BIRTH CANAL; TISSUES RIGID; CERVIX DOES NOT DILATE;

PHYSICAL: SWOLLEN/PUFFY FACE; FAINT; HOT HEAD but CHILLY everywhere else

THIRST:

MODALITIES:

GELSEMIUM

MIND: APATHY; early labour TALKATIVE; HYSTERIA; CHOKING; FEARFUL; ANTICIPATORY ANXIETY; DREAD; FEARFUL of BEING ALONE; FEARFUL of the FUTURE; FEARFUL of DEATH; FEARFUL HEART WILL STOP; DAZED; MENTAL EXHAUSTION

CONTRACTIONS; ABSENT; SPASMODIC, INEFFECTUAL - TOO WEAK; DULL and SLEEPY after each contraction; DEEPLY FLUSHED FACE with each contraction; DISTRESSING; PAIN comes in WAVES may end in CONSTRICTED CHOKING feeling; may STOP ENTIRELY; FEAR blocks labour;

BIRTH CANAL; INERTIA; RIGIDITY; THICK; SWOLLEN; WEAKNESS of the TISSUES themselves;

PHYSICAL: DULLNESS; DIZZINESS; HEADACHE; TREMBLING; EXHAUSTION; NAUSEA in early labour; ABDOMINAL CRAMPS; PAIN UP the BACK and DOWN the THIGHS; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE]; sensation as if UTERUS is being SQUEEZED

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE from HEAT; MOVEMENT; BETTER from URINATING; LYING DOWN; BENDING FORWARD; MOVEMENT

AFTER LABOUR: SEVERE AFTER PAINS

HYPERICUM

MIND:

CONTRACTIONS;

BIRTH CANAL;

PHYSICAL:

THIRST:

MODALITIES:

Melancholic, nervousness, frightened, shocked, confusion when speaking. Uterine tension, violent after pains, severe pain sacrum, hips and head. Better lying quietly, rubbing back. Worse after forceps delivery, touch, pressure.

IPECCACUANA

MIND:

CONTRACTIONS;

BIRTH CANAL;

PHYSICAL:

THIRST:

MODALITIES:

KALI CARB

MIND: ANXIOUS; OVERSENSITIVE; RESTLESS; IRRITABLE; OBSTINATE; INDIFFERENT; DULL; CATASTROPHISING; FEAR OF BEING ALONE;

CONTRACTIONS; CHILLY AFTER contractions; INEFFECTUAL WEAK contractions; may ENTIRELY CEASE especially in response to LIGHT TOUCH

BIRTH CANAL; DISTRESSING; TOO WEAK; SPASMODIC;

PHYSICAL: EXHAUSTION; BLOATED; FLATULENT [GASSY]; VIOLENT HEADACHE; SEVERE BACK, HIPS &/OR JOINT PAIN; PAINS SUDDEN, SHARP, CUTTING, PULSING, LINGERING; PAINS that BEAR DOWNWARDS especially from BACK to PELVIS;

THIRST: THIRSTY

MODALITIES: WORSE from CONSOLATION; LIGHT TOUCH; LYING on the PAINFUL SIDE; BETWEEN 2am to 4am; SUDDEN MOVEMENTS; BETTER from HARD PRESSURE on the BACK; FEET being RUBBED; WARMTH; FRESH AIR

AFTER LABOUR; PAIN

LYCOPODIUM

MIND: ANXIOUS; ANTICIPATORY ANXIETY; RESTLESS; TEARFUL; WORRY; DEMANDING; DESIRE for COMPANY;

CONTRACTIONS; DISTRESSING; SPASMODIC; TOO WEAK may STOP ALTOGETHER;

BIRTH CANAL; RIGID; DRY

PHYSICAL: FLATULENT [GASSY]; BLOATED; URINE RETENTION;

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE being left ALONE; BETTER form alternating pressing and relaxing of either FOOT; MOVEMENT in general;

NATRUM MURIATICUM

MIND: SADNESS; MELANCHOLY; SERIOUS; DESIRE for PRIVACY; AVERSE to going through labour;

CONTRACTIONS; TOO WEAK may CEASE progressing;

BIRTH CANAL; RIGID particularly CERVIX

PHYSICAL: HEADACHE particularly at the beginning of labour; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE]

THIRST: THIRSTY for COLD WATER

MODALITIES:

NUX VOMICA

MIND: IRRITABLE; EASILY ANNOYED; ANGRY; IMPATIENT; RUDE; CURSING; ABUSIVE; FEARFUL; NERVOUS; OVERSENSITIVE;

CONTRACTIONS; MUST STAND and WALK around; SEVERE; DISTRESSING; IRREGULAR; TOO WEAK may CEASE ENTIRELY; AGGRAVATED by being FEARFUL; CONSTRICTIVE;

BIRTH CANAL; RIGID

PHYSICAL: BACKACHE;TREMBLING; DRY MOUTH; SOUR PERSPIRATION; UTERINE PROLAPSE; SEVERE CRAMPING; HIP PAIN; HAND PAIN; HEADACHE; NAUSEA; VOMITING; FAINTNESS; EXHAUSTION; FAILURE to URINATE or PASS STOOL even though needing to;

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE from NOISE, MUSIC; DRAFTS OF AIR especially FRESH or COLD; LIGHT, TOUCH, INCOMPETENCE; BETTER from WARMTH; LYING on SIDE; STRONG PRESSURE.

AFTER LABOUR; RETAINED PLACENTA

OPIUM

MIND: APATHETIC; FEARFUL; DETACHED; SLEEPY; as though DRUGGED or DRUNK; FEARFUL OF SUFFOCATION; DELUSIONAL;

CONTRACTIONS; FEAR INHIBITS contractions; IRREGULAR; WEAK; may STOP ALTOGETHER;

BIRTH CANAL;

PHYSICAL: TWITCHING; URINE RETENTION; FACE BLOATED or SWOLLEN; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE];

THIRST:

MODALITIES: BETTER from MOVEMENT especially WALKING;

AFTER LABOUR; RETENTION of URINE;

PHOSPHORUS

MIND:

CONTRACTIONS;

BIRTH CANAL;

PHYSICAL: CHILLY

THIRST:

MODALITIES:

PULSATILLA

MIND: EMOTIONAL; TEARFUL; NEEDY; APOLOGETIC; AFFECTIONATE; SYMPATHETIC; DESIRES COMFORT, SUPPORT and SYMPATHY; CHANGEABLE MOODS;

CONTRACTIONS; DISTRESSING; INERTIA - labour fails to progress; may STOP ENTIRELY; TOO SHORT; TOO WEAK; BACK SPASMS

BIRTH CANAL; INERTIA; CERVIX FAILS TO DILATE;

PHYSICAL: HEADACHE; NAUSEA; VOMITING; BACK PAIN; VERY DRY LIPS; BEARING DOWN PAINS; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE];

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE from REST; a STUFFY ROOM; BETTER from FRESH AIR; COMPANY; GENTLE MOTION; CONSTANT MOVEMENT; MASSAGE;

AFTER LABOUR; VIOLENT PAINS; RETAINED PLACENTA

SECALE

MIND: RESTLESS; ANXIOUS; MANIC; STUPOR; DEPRESSED; FEARFUL of DEATH; SUSPICIOUS; SADNESS; RAGE; DELIRIUM

CONTRACTIONS; TREMBLING or TWITCHING after each contraction; DISTRESSING; TOO SHORT; TOO WEAK; IRREGULAR; may STOP ENTIRELY;

BIRTH CANAL; CONTRACTED; WEAK TISSUES; RIGID

PHYSICAL: FAINTNESS; TINGLING in the BACK; FORMICATION [as though insects crawling over the skin]; NUMBNESS;

THIRST:

MODALITIES: WORSE from HEAT; WARMTH; BEING COVERED; BETTER from ROCKING; STRETCHING; LYING DOUBLED-UP; AFTER VOMITING; COLD APPLICATIONS; COOL FRESH AIR; BEING UNCOVERED

AFTER LABOUR; RETAINED PLACENTA

SEPIA

MIND: IRRITABLE; INDFFERENT; ANGRY; EXHAUSTION; A SHORT FUSE; RESENTFUL;

CONTRACTIONS; INTENSE PAIN; SPASMODIC; TOO WEAK may STOP ENTIRELY; SHUDDERS with each contraction;

BIRTH CANAL; HARD; RIGID; SPASMODIC; TENDER; DRY, WEAK;

PHYSICAL: COLD ARMS, HANDS, LEGS &.or FEET; FLUSHES OF HEAT; SHOOTING PAINS particularly UPWARDS; BEARING DOWN PAIN; sensation of RECTAL HEAVINESS; HYPERTENSION [HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE]; UTERINE PROLAPSE;

THIRST:

MODALITIES: BETTER from BEING COVERED;

AFTER LABOUR: RETAINED PLACENTA; UTERINE PROLAPSE; AFTER PAINS;

STAPHYSAGRIA

Ailments from feeling humiliated, sad but also irritable, very sensitive, angry, feeling of violation. Prolapse, ovarian pains, Better warmth. Worse loss of fluids, anger, touch, stretching, after urinating.

 
 

how to prescribe

  1. CHOOSE the matching remedy and give in 200C matching the intensity of the presentation - every 15 minutes if intense reducing frequency on improvement or change.

  2. If after 6 doses there is NO CHANGE - stop. Re-asses symptoms and select a more suitable remedy.

  3. If symptoms improve or there is a change - PAUSE.

  4. If symptoms that had improved return - RESTART.

  5. If new symptoms come through then - stop. Re-assess and prescribe the matching remedy.

  6. After labour alternate ARNICA, HYPERICUM, CALENDULA every 30 minutes hours if intense or hourly if less so.

  7. If distinct symptoms have arisen through labour mentally, emotionally or physically then prescribe accordingly or get in touch =wtih your Homeopath for guidance.