Arnica - how useful is it?

[TigerFeet]

I'm nearly 38 weeks pg. and trying to make a birthing decision (elective C or expectant mgt. - see 'having a large baby' thread) and was wondering how useful arnica would be (tablet form or cream) for healing scar tissue/reducing bruising - has anyone used this with a section - and also if anyone had experience of using a TENS machine to cope with post-operative pain. I used one during labour with no.1 and loved it and have heard it can be useful after surgery. To be honest I don't really fancy being doped up to the eyeballs although am willing to wait and see.

Hi - I took arnica tablets for two weeks before DD was due. She was 2 weeks late and I ended up with a C section. I don't know if it was just coincidence but I did seem to recover more quickly than the other ladies in the c section ward. I'd definitely take them again if I have another baby.

Unfortunately, I read a recent article where studies had been done to determine the benefits of arnica. If I remember correctly, no difference was found between people who used arnica (I think it was for an arm injury)and those that didn't. Don't know if anyone else read this?

I used arnica tablets for a couple of weeks after both of my births (1st was emergency section, 2nd was vaginal birth), and certainly had no problems with any bruising - can't unfortunately say what I may have been like if I didn't take it!

I use arnica cream on ds1 when he bumps himself (he's 2 1/2 so tends to get a lot of bumps!) - it certainly seems to reduce bruising. On the occasions that I forget to use it, or we're not at home he seems to bruise more.

If I have another baby I would certainly take arnica again - as far as I know it can't do any harm,, and may do some good - I didn't see the article that mollymay has said about though.

If you go down the arnica route than get the proper dosage... that is 200 or even 10M... (available with Helios birthing Kits or mail order from Helios.. and it's not expensive!) certainly worth it in cesaerean terms... before and AFTER.
As for the study refered to, I did not read it but have read in many places that it was quite flawed.

I have never ever read anything negative about arnica so could be worth a shot. I used it - but couldn?t say if it worked as you have nothing to compare it with! The one remedy I would recommend though is to take loads of lavender oil with you to use in your baths afterwards - really brilliant for relaxation etc. Personally I found TENS useful up to a point but could only cope with it for short amounts at a time as it made my skin feel really itchy. Definitely helped numb the pain though. It is one of those individual things I am afraid.
I was prescribed lignocaine for scar tissue pain - was pretty good but only available on prescription. Good Luck with the big day. Sounds like you still have some big decisions to make - hope they don?t prove too stressful for you as you should be enjoying your last fews days of relative rest and quiet !!!!

DH broke his toe at judo recently and it was completly blak and blue. He applied Arnica cream and took a couple of pills the next day it was back to it's oringinal colour, still sore but healing at a crazy rate. we swear by it in our house, does the trick with everything.
Good luck!

I used arnica and found it very useful. I didn't actually remember to take it until several hours after the birth, but still seemed to virtually eliminate bruising. I had a v. long labour/delivery (2.5 hours pushing) plus ventouse and a second degree tear but had no bruising at all. I actually seemed to be less tender than people who had no stitches, but obviously bruised. The midwives commented on my lack of bruising and I'm someone who does bruise v. easily generally. I would definitely recommend it and 2 friends who both had C sections used it with similar results.

Arnica was my first proper experience of homeopathy. Used it after emergency c-section, had very little swelling, very little pain, and the surgeon / nurses / midwife all commented on how well it healed. With an adventurous toddler I find it invaluable - both granules and cream.

I use arnica (and other homeopathic remedies) all the time for both myself and my daughter and find it invaluable for brusing, healing etc. I checked with the homeopathic pharmacist I always go to and he says he frequently recommends arnica for this sort of thing at a dose of 30c 3 times a day. For best results he said start taking it 2 days before and continue taking it until recovery.

P.S. If you can't get 30c, you could take 200c twice a day.

Here is the thread where that research was discussed, Mollymay and others. Robinw posted a URL for the paper itself. As you can see, more varying opinions on whether the research was flawed and whether arnica works!
I personally find it effective and use the over the counter pills and cream quite frequently on the family. Never got round to using it in childbirth, maybe next time.

I've also read that study about arnica not being that useful, but (subjectively of course!) feel it's a load of bull! I took arnica tablets immediately after having my ds, on the recommendation of various friends who'd done the same, and found it very useful. I had a natural birth (with epidural) and only slight tearing (no stitches required), but found things healed well and quickly. Of course I don't have a 'control' to compare things with, but I felt things got back to normal much more quickly than I'd expected.

I always use arnica cream on bruises with DS and find they go much more quickly as a result.

I considered using arnica for DD after her surgery last year but wasn't orgnanised enough. As it was, she recovered extremely quickly anyway - I can't really imagine her getting better more quickly.

On the point of cream - I used to use arnica cream when she was little although I was never convinced it worked. Rubbing it in to 'stop the bruise' always reminded me of toothpaste being a sworn cure for lovebites! Maybe it's the action of rubbing that helps??

Just musing - don't hold any strong beliefs either way.

I found it to be very usefull.2nd baby was 9lb 2oz needed to be cut and had third degree tears had stitches, but 6 days after was sitting cross legged on a school hall floor.The midwive's commented on how badly bruised I was just after the event.I swear it was down to arnica that I recovered so quickly.
last may had 3rd baby 9lb 5oz had to be delivered by c section again the scar healed really quick.1st baby much smaller needed forcep's and had not discovered arnica and it took me ages to recover thank heavens for rubber rings ha ha.good luck

Thank you for all your advice/comments. I too use it on ds and it seems to work so think I will give it a go. Have decided to elect for a section so have been to homeopath and am proud owner of 20 arnica tablets (200c) which I will start taking the day of the op (next Friday).