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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Homeopathy Childbirth Kit - Any Good?

21 replies

GeorginaA · 29/04/2004 08:40

Noticed that Ainsworths sell childbirth kits for around £30 but don't have much detail about them on the site. Wonder if anyone has any experience using these and if they're any good?

Also, I'm booked in for an induction so it will be a hospital birth. Any ideas whether I'll be "allowed" these at the same time as an induction/permitted to take them into hospital?

Any comments appreciated.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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vivat · 29/04/2004 09:23

Emmagee will know - she's just given me hers ! I know she found it very useful

Jimjams · 29/04/2004 11:28

Just replied to you about this on the pregnancy thread.

I would spend 30 quid seeing a homeopath instead. They will give you the remedies you need and tell you how/when to take them.

I will be taking mine before/after my probable section and or VBAC, and I won't be telling the drs/mws unless they're interested (they can't interfere with anything so no need to).

Original poster

GeorginaA · 29/04/2004 11:38

In theory I agree with you, Jimjams, but in practise I can't see me being able to get to an appointment in the next week and a bit I have left (we're down to one car at the moment due to a catastrophic MOT). I think it's likely to be the kit or nothing.

I wondered if I could get away with not telling them - but it does say in the hospital information that you have to hand in all medication which is a bit of an arse. Then again, I could claim I didn't think homeopathy "counted" as medication...

OP posts:

Jimjams · 29/04/2004 13:37

No I don't count homeopathy as medication. IN that case go for a kit and "instructions". Definitely take arnica for brusing etc.

Have a search on google I bet there's something there. neil's yard do one as well and I think it might be cheaper.....

Heathcliffscathy · 29/04/2004 13:44

i had it georgina...found it v useful (dh was downing aconite for shock) and i used all the arnica and some of the others (caulophyllum, for stregthening contractions i think? but not sure). if nothing else, it's v reassuring to have something like that around...having said that, you could just go for arnica, acnonite (for fear/shock) and some rescue remedy. aromatherapy oils help also. my midwife gave me a massage with rose and grapefruit and lavender in it that took me from feeling real despair to feeling like i could do it (had a v long labour)...hth

Original poster

GeorginaA · 30/04/2004 09:38

Thanks for all the advice Have gone for the Helios version - just hope it arrives soon!

Any reason why also getting some aromatherapy clary sage would be a bad idea? The homeopathy wouldn't mix badly with the aromatherapy would it?

OP posts:

Jimjams · 30/04/2004 20:26

It can do Georgina- depends on the oil. (not react badly it just buggers up the homeopathy). The main offenders are things like eucalytus though so clary sage may well be OK. I have an appointment next Tues- I could ask my homeopathy then- is that soon enough?

Original poster

GeorginaA · 30/04/2004 20:40

That would be fantastic, Jimjams, thank you

OP posts:

mrscrankyangrylady · 30/04/2004 20:42

clary sage is supposed to be good in labour but avoid beforehand! i had a helios kit - er, well see how you get on with it, that's all i'll say!

Original poster

GeorginaA · 30/04/2004 20:57

Uh oh... helios version not so good?

OP posts:

mrscrankyangrylady · 30/04/2004 21:23

i had a pretty crappy labour and not much exp of homeopathy. my tens machine didn't work, neither of my two epis took. plenty of people find the kits useful. go for it, hope it works for you.

sorry for posting a negative comment. should have just virtually shut up.

good luck

Original poster

GeorginaA · 30/04/2004 21:55

LOL noooo don't shut up

Sounds like you had a pretty rough deal of it! I have no idea what I'll want to use on the day so I'm allowing my pregnancy hormones to rule and take EVERYTHING! I have a TENS, homeopathy kit, clary sage if that's deemed not to interfere, birth ball & pump, mood enhancing music... I'll probably be there five minutes and be begging for an epidural

OP posts:

mrscrankyangrylady · 30/04/2004 22:15

i only meant that if the tens and epis failed, then the homeopathy didn't stand a chance!

jasmine oil is also supposed to be good for labour and smells much nicer than clary sage.

you sound very well prepared, i hope everything goes well.

Original poster

GeorginaA · 01/05/2004 09:49

I hope so. Partially because in many ways I'm hoping this birth will eradicate in my mind the terrible birth I had with ds I'm fairly confident that it will, in that some of the most traumatic parts last time (for me) was the after care - we've moved areas since, and from what I've seen our new hospital & staff are much much better.

Really impressed with Helios - I ordered from them yesterday morning and it said allow up to 5 days for delivery - arrived this morning!

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mears · 01/05/2004 09:55

We are hoping to introduce complimentary therapies to our labour ward but are still trying to get a decent guideline. There is so much confusion about certain oils and their function at various staged of pregnancy we need to have foolproof guidelines for midwives without a deep knowledge. Some women do bring their own oils (and aromatherapists) for labour.

One midwife who is a trained aromatherapist did point out though that some oils used in labour should not be used in early pregnancy. That means that pregnant midwives need to be protected. I think Clary Sage is one of them.

Original poster

GeorginaA · 01/05/2004 10:05

Yes, that sounds right mears - I've also heard that Clary Sage shouldn't be used in early pregnancy.

Although, I suppose with putting a few drops on some cotton wool underneath the birthing mother's nose any aroma reaching the midwife wouldn't be strong enough to affect them?

I've been told to do it that way because if I find I can't stand the smell then it can be easily disposed of

OP posts:

mears · 01/05/2004 10:07

I think the aroma does make a diffence - the aromatherapist midwife commented on the fact the woman was inhaling it using a burner? Anyway, all you need to do is ask if it is a problem at the hospital. If it is, then they could allocate a non-pregnant midwife. Good luck

Jimjams · 01/05/2004 10:18

I think the homeopathy will be better for the state of mind, than the pain really....... And for healing afterwards.

secur · 04/05/2004 13:41

Message withdrawn

Blu · 04/05/2004 14:00

My (NHS) midwives turned up with a childbirth Homeopathy kit. I didn't want to take anything as I was in my stride and didn't want to alter things - but the MWs and DP and BF (birth partner) all took some and said it was GREAT for keeping them motivated and confident at the end of a long long night!

Original poster

GeorginaA · 05/05/2004 11:44

secur, sounds like you've got it covered, to me

jimjams - did you find out about clary sage + homeopathy? I asked the helpline (during my long list of queries) and he was a bit vague... he just said it was okay but not at the same time - but I'm not sure if that means wait half an hour after taking a remedy to use it, or just not at all during labour.

OP posts:

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