Holistic healing

While pregnancy may be a wonderful, life-changing event, women have to contend with an endless list of ailments that would be tolerable were it not for the fact that it’s a big no-no to take conventional medicines to help ease the symptoms.

We have to grit our teeth and get on with our daily lives while nausea, heartburn, aches and pains lay claim to our bodies.

Well, there is good news: alternative remedies are highly effective and, some believe, treatments such as homeopathy are not only helpful at easing symptoms but very beneficial to you and your unborn child, too.

Treating yourself and your unborn baby

Registered homeopath Dr Helen Didcott explains, “Homeopathy works on treating the individual, so if a pregnant woman has any ailments or feelings of being ‘out of balance’, homeopathic remedies can treat this. The bonus is that the pregnant woman and the foetus are treated simultaneously.

“When a pregnant woman experiences symptoms she is not prone to, it is often the foetus that is starting to express itself. For instance, while heartburn is a common pregnancy complaint, if it becomes extreme in the last trimester, it may be early signs of an infant that may experience reflux-like symptoms.”

So by treating the mom’s severe heartburn with prescribed homeopathy remedies, it is also easing her unborn child’s future reflux issues.

How it works

In simple terms, homeopathy is a system of medicine that treats the individual with highly diluted substances, which trigger the body’s natural healing system. Based on how you are experiencing your symptoms, a qualified homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to you.

Homeopathy during pregnancy

Homeopathy is an ideal way for pregnant women to heal pregnancy ailments such as nausea, heartburn, water retention, thrush, constipation and itchy skin, as it is truly one of the most gentle yet effective systems of medicine and, because of its holistic approach and its purpose to strengthen the body’s immunity, it can have long-term benefits.

Many homeopathic practitioners can work with women from the moment they start trying to conceive – there are remedies that can assist in fertility and remedies that can prepare the body for the impending pregnancy – to post-birth.

Use a registered homeopath

“It’s best to have a homeopath address your needs through the pregnancy and have you prepared with labour remedies. Post-birth remedies are very useful in helping hormones to balance, preventing post-natal depression and mastitis.”

For minor ailments there are excellent over-the-counter remedies. However, because healing through homeopathy relies on knowledge, accuracy and the correct analysis of the individual’s symptoms based on history and lifestyle, it is recommended that you see a registered homeopath.

Individual remedies

“The reason for seeing a homeopath is so you can be given the specific and correct remedy for you at that time,” says Dr Didcott.

“Homeopathy is founded on the basis of ‘like cures like’. Therefore true homeopathy exists when the correct remedy is matched to the totality of the individual – remedies for pregnancy nausea, the symptoms, mood and all the characteristics of that pregnant woman must be put together to find the correct remedy for mom and baby.” Didcott explains.

With all the ongoing debates over conventional medicine versus homeopathy, the one time there can be no argument as to whether it works or not is during pregnancy, when women need and benefit greatly from the gentle, healing benefits of homeopathic remedies more than ever.

Frequently asked questions

Can I overdose on homeopathic remedies?

It is very difficult to overdose on homeopathic remedies; if you swallowed an entire vial of a remedy, you may overdose. Whereas herbs need to be used with caution in pregnancy as they are the crude substance, homeopathic remedies are diluted, so are not harmful unless taken in excess.

For instance, if the wrong indicated remedy is consumed in excess, you could present with a “proving”: you experience those symptoms the remedy is supposed to cure.

There have been cases, for instance, in which pregnant women took lots of arnica before their caesar in the hope they would heal quickly afterwards.

But arnica is to be given only when there is bleeding and injury – as a result, when the incision for the caesar was made, the bleeding was excessive and even life-threatening, because the arnica was being “proven”.

So only take remedies for ailments that are already present (best consult your homeopath).

Can homeopathic remedies affect my baby?

Homeopathic medicines are safe for your growing baby because only a minute amount of the active ingredient is used in their preparation.

In fact, by stimulating your vitality in pregnancy, homeopathic treatment can benefit your baby and by staying as healthy as possible during pregnancy, you are giving your baby the ideal conditions in which to thrive.

Does homeopathy work quickly?

Homeopathy will have an effect on anyone, but their state of health and vitality makes a huge difference in their ability to respond to the remedy. For example, if someone is on chronic medications, which control or suppress a condition, that would provide an obstacle to the cure.

Can you be treated for all pregnancy ailments, for example constipation and hair loss?

Homeopathy can treat all the ailments of pregnancy because it treats the whole organism, physically, mentally and emotionally. The success, however, depends on the accuracy of the prescription. Finding the right remedy and having understood the true essence of the individual is an art form that a homeopath strives to perfect.

Can homeopathy help with breastfeeding issues and ailments?

Ailments such as mastitis, painful nipples and a slow milk supply can make breastfeeding difficult and homeopathic remedies can help a great deal. Consult a registered homeopath if you are experiencing problems with breastfeeding.

Phytolacca is a useful remedy for sore, cracked nipples and for mastitis, where there are painful lumps in the breast.

Can homeopathy treat my newborn baby for infancy issues?

Homeopathy has been known to speed up healing for you and baby after birth, and babies respond very quickly to homeopathic treatment. There are remedies to help relieve infancy ailments from colic and teething to nappy rash and more serious issues. But it is advised that you consult a registered homeopath to treat your baby