Arnica and sections - can someone tell me if I've got this right?!

[Twiga]

Have section booked for 18th Dec and busy trying to get organised - last two weren't great experiences so trying to make this as easy as poss.

Went into Holland and Barrett today and have come away with 30c arnica - it's nelsons and in a clikpak if that helps. Girl in the shop seemed reasonably sure that this was the right strength etc, though not sure enough that I'm feeling confident iyswim. Pack says 2 pills every 2 hours for first 6 doses then 4 times daily for up to 5 days.

Does this all look ok or will I need diff dose? Also, do you take the initial doses after the section or do I need to start before hand - pack reads like after event? Thanks!

Hi there - yes 30c is the right strength, though I wouldn't like to hazard a guess about dosage. But it does work brilliantly. I only took it after the event (because nobody told me until afterwards) so not sure about that either.

Sorry,t hat was a bit useless wasn't it?

Hope it all goes well.

Not useless at all Midnight - that's helped actually as have been a bit confused by chat on here re: strength so at least now I know I've got the right thing. Also great to hear first hand that it works - have to say always a bit sceptical about herbal stuff!

Oh and just another quick question while i'm thinking about it;

Will I have to let someone at the hospital know that I'm taking arnica? Just thinking in case it doesn't mix well with pain killers etc that I might end up with.

I took a higher strength of around 200. I think its best (hearsay possible) to start taking it beforehand. Its harmless stuff so won't interefere with the rest of the drugs you are given after your cs.

always best to tell them you are taking it, perhpas your midwife could advise on strengths and dosages for you?

It is basically sugar pills which work via the placebo effect. It's not herbal, it's homeopathic - completely different. It won't do you any harm and won't interact with any other painkillers you take.

Hi there, i had my C Section on monday and i spoke to a proper homeopath about mine and he said that 30c is the correct strength and to take it 3 times a day from up to 3 days before and as long as you need to afterwards.

You can take them on the day of the section, i have felt FAB and not at all sore since my section 4 days ago and i credit the arnica for it. i am going to take it for 7 days.

The only thing he did say that is worth bearing in mind is you can not take peppermint with arnica as it neutralises it - i know a lot of people recommend peppermint for the gassiness/wind post section.

Hope that helps and good luck

x

I took the higher doasage. I went to the Organic Pharmacy and asked them about it and they recommended taking a higher dose. In fact they have a specific mix for recovery post labour or sections - Arnica, Hypericum and Calendula 200c (if you look at their website www.theorganicpharmacy.com you'll find it under mother and baby care for £5.50). I took it after my 2nd section and had a fantastic recovery - much better than my first section when I didn't take it. Obviously I don't know whether it was the Arnica etc that helped (1st section was an emergency after long and hideous labour so not surprising that recovery was worse) but I can't see it did any harm. I'll definitely take it again for my next section. I did mention to midwife that I was taking it just so she knew.

Arnica definitely helps bruising - I use arnica cream on both my girls for bangs and bruises and there is no doubt in my mind that it helps - bruises always seem to be worse and last longer if I forget to put the cream on a bump.