Is it worth taking Arnica prior to a c-section? If so, can someone please recommend what strength/type of Arnica I should get and how long before section should I start taking it.

TIA

I'd go to see a homeopath, they will advise better than any of us as they will take a detailed history and may also advise other remedies as appropriate. Apart from that I'd say some is better than none, so just buy what you can and take it daily until post section then I'd take it as you remember (three times a day or so?) Good luck.

Agree with 2nd poster. I saw a homeopathic dr before my cs and she advised arnica from the day before - 30c iirc - and another drug. I had a fab recovery - will never know how much the arnica helped but the midwivves said they could tell the difference between those who take arnica and those that don't.

Can't physically get to a homeopath (live in the sticks and am barred from driving distances at the moment) but have been given a phone no of someone recommended so will call someone and see if she'd give advice over the phone.

Thanks ladiees!

Yes, I took arnica the day before, I think it was 3 times a day, then on the day of the cs and the next day I was taking it every 3 hours, then back to 3 times a day for a week. This was on the advice of a newspaper column about alternative health - I never went to see a homeopath.

My recovery was much better than with my previous cs when I didn't take arnica, although you can never tell what other factors were involved and what your recovery would have been like without it.

I had no pain at all, no bruising and a quick recovery. Probably some of that at least is down to the arnica!

Good to hear that Tuttifrutti. Incase the homeopath won't mail me something, can you tell me where you got your arnica and what you got?

TIA

Got it from Neal's Yard, but most health shops sell it. I can't remember the strength but I think it was one of the stronger ones.

Thanks Tuttifrutti.

take arnica 200 and hypercuim. You get advice and order from helios telephone number 02073797434. Iake them before they are very good.

I took a cocktail of Arnica, Bellis Perenis, Calendula and Hypericum after my em cs 5 years ago all in 200 strength - one remedy every few hours. Never needed any really strong pain killers (although I was being offered them). But do ring your homeopath to get proper advice - don't take my word for it Good luck.

Thanks ... shall look into it. Are Helios Homeopathic suppliers - I wonder whether they'll advise on the phone?

helios is pharmacy where most homeopaths get thiers from. All staff are quailified and will advice over phone. They have done for me on many occassions and have always been very helpful

Thanks Orangehead ... I'll go google them now before I go to bed ... sounds like just what I need.

Similar to franke I took a mixture of Arnica (from a day or two b4) Calendula (for skin healing) and also Bellis Perenis for deep muscle pain and have recovered pretty well. Took a high concentration (120c) about twice a day while in hospital and for the first week at home. Pulled a muscle towards one end of my scar at around 3-4 weeks and took Bellis Perenis again which seemed to help also. You'll never really know if they make a great difference but I always figure that if they do no harm...go for it. All the best.

Helios is great. My cousin took quite a bit of Arnica (30c) after her recent c-section and says of her three sections, this recovery was the best and quickest, and reckons it was the arnica.

I used the 30c arnica after my c-section and I had a really great recovery. I don't know if it made any difference but I would take it again.

Didn't get round to calling Helios today so must remember to do so tomorrow.

Finally got round to calling Helios - what helpful people! They recommended a 'surgery mix' consisting of Arnica, Bellis Perenis, Calendula and Hypericum along with a couple of others in 200c strength and said 4 a day post-section. Can't wait to try it out !

Thanks everyone.

Finally got round to calling Helios - what helpful people! They recommended a 'surgery mix' consisting of Arnica, Bellis Perenis, Calendula and Hypericum along with a couple of others in 200c strength and said 4 a day post-section. Can't wait to try it out !

Thanks everyone.

Does the 'surgery mix' consisting of Arnica, Bellis Perenis, Calendula and Hypericum work efficiently if I take the allopath medicine (i mean the normal painkillers, drips etc given by the hospital after surgery.) Will the homeopathy medicine be effective even if I continue taking the other medicines.

What is the expirence of people who took the 'surgery mix' together with the normal hospital medicines, as I guess after surgery everyone must have continued the hospital medicines at least for 3 days. Also I hear homeopathy medicines while taken together with allopath medicines are not very effective. What do you think? I am confused.
Could someone please let me know.

Thanks a lot.

I took Arnica 30 regularly after both my ECSs, with my second I got 24hrs warning so started taking it beforehand also. I additionally took the normal painkillers (mainly paracetamol) as the Arnica is unlikely to affect your pain but does affect healing/bruising. In addition I used Arnica cream over my tummy above the scar for 2 weeks as it was very bruised post-section.

I recovered from both sections quickly although I think having to walk quite a bit soon after helped (both my DCs were in SCBU, so I was soon traipsing up & down to them after 24hrs post surgery.

Hadn't heard of the surgery mix, sounds like a great idea. Good luck all those having imminent sections!