The suggestions here are for simple states; if your symptoms are severe or chronic (ongoing), or if they persist despite self treatment, consult a Homeopath (one who is Registered with The Society of Homeopaths), your Midwife and/or your General Practitioner. If you are undergoing a course of homeopathic treatment then contact your practitioner before prescribing for yourself.

Taking The Remedies

Let one pill dissolve under the tongue. Don't eat, drink, smoke or clean your teeth for 10 minutes before and after taking it. Avoid coffee, menthol, eucalyptus and camphor. Store the pills sealed in their bags, away from strong heat, light and odours.

Homeopathy can help with many of the ailments of pregnancy e.g. heartburn, depression, blood pressure, piles and a lack of vitality, though these generally need to be dealt with by an experienced Homeopath. One ailment you can often treat safely and successfully yourself is nausea & vomiting. The remedies and instructions for this are available from most health food shops and some chemists.

Homeopathic treatment during pregnancy is a good way to ensure maximum health at the time of birth and hence prevent problems arising. You may want to consider asking your Homeopath to attend the birth or at least be aware of their availability around the expected time.

Labour

There are remedies that deal with problems during labour such as retained placenta, ineffectual contractions, prolonged labour, uterine haemorrhage etc., but they need to be prescribed by a qualified Homeopath.

Rescue Remedy
This can take the edge off CRISIS and SHOCK, whether slight or intense, for mother and partner/s. Especially useful during TRANSITION, it helps the mother to be more relaxed and in touch, to move on from first to second stage with greater ease.
To Use; have the stock bottle ready and as labour begins to establish add a few drops to a small glass of water. Keep it covered and away from strong heat. Make a fresh glass after about 6 hours. Take a sip when "rescue" is needed.

Nux Vomica
Is often useful during TRANSITION. If Rescue Remedy hasn't had a significant effect after 5 minutes and the mother is tense, irritable, impatient then give one dose.

Aconite
If the labour is too fast (any stage), the pains are very strong (even unbearable) and there is a feeling of panic (See instructions for taking remedies for acute states).

Arnica
For use after physical trauma helping the body heal quickly, limiting bruising and soreness. It also helps with shock and tired restlessness following physical trauma.
To use; Take one pill as soon as possible after third stage and another 3 in the following 24hrs, 3 the next day and 2 the day after. You may find taking 2 a day for a while will continue to ease the soreness or it may be the Arnica is not needed any more, it depends how much trauma your body has had. The main work is done soon after the birth. Most midwives are familiar with mothers taking Arnica after childbirth.
For most labours Arnica 30 is sufficient, if you have a Caesarean or a very physically intense/traumatic birth then you will need to take Arnica 200. Most midwives are used to mothers taking Arnica.

Aconite
For SHOCK from fear or the intensity of birth in mothers, babies or partners, Aconite 200 can be taken (See instructions for taking remedies for acute states).

Hypercal
A combination of Hypericum (St. John's Wort) a strong antiseptic/anti-tetanus and helps heal the nervous system, and Calendula (Marigold) which heals skin tissues. Useful for episiotomy, stitches, cuts, tears, sore/cracked nipples, nappy rash.
To Use; Add a few drops of the tincture to a small amount of warm water (about 2 eggcup fulls), stir and then use to bathe the affected areas. Hypercal ointment may be used for nappy rash and small cuts and grazes.

Homeopathic treatment is able to help with many of the difficulties which can arise for the mother (e.g. mastitis and lack of energy or depression) and for the child (e.g. teething, eczema, persistent nappy rash and recurrent colds). A large percentage of children displaying symptoms of pain during dentition benefit from taking homeopathic teething granules (chamomilla - available from most health food shops). Another commonly encountered state, which calls for Sepia, is described below.

Sepia
Try taking Sepia when you feel a combination of exhaustion, extreme irritability (even violent anger towards your child and/or partner) and some sense of emotional numbness. Surprisingly, a state calling for Sepia as its remedy is usually temporarily improved through energetic activity such as dancing or cycling. This state may occur in the days immediately following the birth and at any time whilst parenting (for partners too!). Take one pill and if there is an improvement fine, take it easy, don't over stretch yourself. Take only one pill in any one day. If you need the remedy more frequently, if you are taking it quite often, or notice no change after a few doses, you are likely to benefit from contacting a professional homeopath.

Instructions For Taking Remedies For Acute States

The information below is offered as an introductory guide only, there are many exceptions to it, especially the time and dosage repetition.

Take one dose, repeat if :-
1) You feel better at first and then worse again, or
2) You feel better but still not well (all improvement having ceased), or
3) If unsure of 1) & 2) take one dose every 10 minutes for 3 doses. If improvement is now underway assess repetition using 1) & 2).
4) If no better, stop, it's the wrong remedy.

STOP IF WELL.
STOP IF WORSE.