arnica tablets?

[artyearl]

could anyone please advise me on which arnica tablets they took to ease physical effects of tearing and swollen bits after birth? had a quick peek on some internet sites and range is bewildering re.strength or if should be taken before due date etc. also any recomendations for which lavender and tea tree oils are safe in shower / bath afterwards as well? thanks - 32 weeks and just trying to get my head around all the organisation for big event!!

[Bramshott]

I think if you take them before then you need the 6c ones, but if you only take them after then you need the 30c ones. Don't know which is better though - I was only efficient enough to take them afterwards.

[squishy]

I've read (on another thread here, I think) that 30c before the birth and 200c afterwards (helios.co.uk sell them!)

[Rumpel]

Artyearl

You can buy a homeopathic birthing kit from helios ( I got mine on ebay). The booklet explains the remedies. You take 6c for long term conditions and 30c for acute conditions, ie just after an accident/shock etc. The birthing kit remedies are 200c as they are very acute!

essential oils I would recommend Tisserand, or Lothian Herbs or Purple Flame. You need to be careful buying them as they need to be pure and not contain any synthetic fragrances ( like ones for burning in pots or adding to pot pourri.

I am going to mix up Lavender, Jasmine and Rose in some shea butter oil for labour, you can use extra virgin olive oil or grapeseed. Lavender is good for bruising, lowering blood pressue, pain relief amongst many other things, jasmine is a powerful uterine stimulator, and rose is great for all women's sexual organs, it's calming, relaxing and lots of other properties too.

With essential oils remember less is more - don't add more thinking it will be more effective - they are VERY POWERFUL and can have a detrimental effect if used in large quantities. It would be a good idea for you to read up on them a bit maybe. You can use lavender just now - I add it to my body moisturiser, or add to an eggcup full of milk and place in bath swishing water well before you get in. Don't use jasmine just now though as you aren't 'cooked' yet!

[squishy]

Wow, Rumpel! That's thorough! I've been using lavender with water as a spritzer, what quantities would you mix it with jasmine and rose for labour? I'm getting a vaporiser and fancy trying some relaxing but 'helpful' things.....

[sallyrosie]

Adding lavender and clary sage and jasmine to carrier oil and adding to bathwater is lovely in late PG - plus has added benefit of possibly speeding things along...although I'm still waiting...
You emerge from the bath with lovely soft and scented skin, total bliss when everything is stretched tight!

[YellowFeathers]

I had some from Boots that came in a little cylindrical case.
You take 2 every 2 hours on the first day and 2 every 4 hours after.

I can't recommend them enough. I had an episiotomy and was very sore. I didn't take the Arnica at first but on the 4th day I was very sore so started. In 2 days I was pain free. It was amazing.

[Rumpel]

I'd mix 6 drops of lavender in milk for a 3/4 full bath. If you put oil in a bath it is nice but VERY slippy - bit dodgy when you are preggers in case you slip and fall. Plus oil floats on water - the fat in milk dipserses the oils so you don't get chemical burns if you sit on a drop of oil!

For labour I would say about 150ml of base oil, 4 drops of maximum of 3 different essential oils.
It is always a good idea to keep some 30c arnica in the first aid box at home - great for breaks, strains, accidents, shock, dentist etc. You can buy arnica cream which is great for external bruising and I've invested in some calendula cream for possibility of sore nipples when breastfeeding.
I'll see how it goes at the time!! Only 2 weeks to go!!

[squishy]

Good luck Rumpel!! Will try the mix you've suggested. Wondered whether there is etiquette for not combining certain oils!!! I've got about 6 weeks to go, so looking forward to hearing your news!!

[Rumpel]

Some of the oils have similar properties - you choose them depending on the individual eg high blood pressure, low blood pressure, skin type, medication, smell preference etc. You also try to choose oils from what we call top, middle and base notes - this refers to how volatile they are and thus how quickly they evaporate. Oils enter the bloodstream through the skin and also through the olfactory membranes in the nose. we try to blend a top, a middle and a base note in most cases. Top notes evaporate quickly, then middle, then base notes, like sandalwood and more musky/dark smells evaporate slowly. It just depends what smells you like and what you are blending them for- I love sandalwood and may chang they are my favourites. Once you have had your baby why don't you go for an aromatherapy massage and try it for yourself - it's fab. Even better hint for this as a gift for doing a good incubating job!!

[squishy]

Thanks Rumpel!!! I just want some to burn nicely to help me push it out!!!! Definitely got some lavender, may try and mix some with jasmine and rose or geranium I think (no idea about base notes -very technical!!)

But might try the massage afterwards!!