Gentle Remedies for Pregnancy

Finding relief
If symptoms are more persistent, you can try the following remedies:

• Sepia - nausea is intensified by the smell of food, yet relieved by eating. Tendency to feel worn out, irritable and over-burdened by her responsibilities, with no spare emotional energy for loved ones. Constipation with sluggish feeling and sense that some stool remains behind.

• Pulastilla - nausea with some relief from fresh air. Intolerance of fatty foods and probably not very thirsty. Changeable moods, sometimes weepy. Feels generally better for company, sympathy and possibly cuddles.

• Vomica - nausea relieved by vomiting. Indigestion and heartburn; constipation with frequent unproductive urging. Easily irritated, and loss of sleep affects her badly.

• Ipecac - continuous nausea that isn't relieved by vomiting. The tongue tends to be a normal pink colour and there may be more saliva than usual.

• Bryonia - useful in constipation with large, dry stools. This may be accompanied by a dull headache and dry mouth.

• One remedy you will probably be advised to have to help with soreness and bruising after the birth is arnica (to be taken in tablet form as the cream should not be put on broken skin).

• Calendula or hypercal (a mixture of calendula and hypericum) tincture mixed with warm water (20 drops in ¼ pint) is very soothing to bathe the perineum after birth.

• Caulophyllum has a great reputation for helping slow labours progress. The characteristic indications are painful yet ineffectual contractions, often with weakness and trembling.

• Aconite is very helpful if a woman in labour feels panicky, if she feels the baby is never going to arrive, and if she can't cope with the labour.

• After the baby has arrived, homoeopathic remedies are useful for both mother and infant. Two common problems with breastfeeding are mastitis and thrush. In the beginning stages of mastitis, or threatening breast abscess with pain, heat of the breast and fever, belladonna works in most cases. In thrush, passed to and fro between the baby's mouth and the mother's breasts, BORAX given to both is often very useful.

• Calendula ointment or nappy cream can help heal cracked or sore nipples and also soothe a baby's sore bottom.