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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

arnica tablets for childbirth

15 replies

PotPourri · 23/10/2004 21:06

I've just got some arnica tablets today as someone recommended them for the birth. But I now realise I don't know when I should take them - should I take them around my due date, or wait until I am in labour, or even wait til it is all over. Confused!?!

OP posts:

pupuce · 23/10/2004 21:07

What potency have you got?
You can take them from 38 weeks onwards 1 or twice a day... and definitely when you start having contractions.

Original poster

PotPourri · 23/10/2004 21:16

Hmmm. It says 6c homeopathic ptency oif Arnica montana.
On the instructions it says take 2 pillules, place directly onto the tongue and suck/chew. To be taken between meals. Every 2 hours for first 6 doses then 4 times daily for up to 5 days, or until symptoms improve.....

OP posts:

pupuce · 23/10/2004 21:18

Well for childbirth 30 or 300 are recommended. 30 is easy to find 200 is usually bought from homeopathic pharmacies like Helios www.helios.co.uk
The instructions are not meant for childbirth but for any trauma... this isn't your case.

pupuce · 23/10/2004 21:18

Sorry I meant 200

Original poster

PotPourri · 23/10/2004 21:22

Oh I see. So these ones I have are really weak then. Oh well, will see if I can order some from Helios. Thanks for the link. I wonder what to do with the other ones I have - are they useful for the medicine cupboard, and what for?? maybe a fall or something - isn't it something to do with bruises?

OP posts:

pupuce · 23/10/2004 21:25

You can use the 6 for any bruise .... even for a child.

sweetkitty · 23/10/2004 22:41

DD came early before I bought mine so didn't start taking them till 3 days after the birth - I think they really helped healing (I had loads of stitches)!

EvesMama · 23/10/2004 22:44

also try applying almond oil 'down there'(between back bum and front bum!)wehre baby will stretch, it helps the elasticity in the skin. i used it a little when quite far gone and had no tears or stitches(dd was 6lb 11oz and very long)
hth

Thunderbird1 · 24/10/2004 17:05

I got some (can't remember what strength) but wasn't allowed to use them while in hospital (got lots of tut tuts from the nurse). I don;t know whether they made a difference, but it felt like I was doing something.
For general household use - Savlon do a bruise cream containing arnica - I highly recommend that for bumps & bruises - it does stop a lot of the bruising if applied ASAP.

dazedandconfused · 25/10/2004 13:24

I got a fantastic tincture of hypericum for stiches from a homeopathist, which was absolutely brilliant. You could apply neat (ow!) or put in the bath. Not sure where to find this yourself, but I am going to look for second time round!

redshoes · 27/10/2004 08:34

can arnica 200 be given to children for bumps etc or is it too strong?

Original poster

PotPourri · 27/10/2004 11:38

Pupuce (or other homeopathic experts )

Thanks for the helios link. Got my 200 Arnica through today, but no instructions. You said before to take 1 or 2 daily from 38 weeks. Do I build up or just do 1 a day from 38 weeks? More once I am in labour?? And for how long after birth too? Sorry about the millions of questions.

Will also start on the almond oil too as per Evesmama recommendation.

OP posts:

OxyMoron · 27/10/2004 12:25

For 200c arnica I was told to start taking it once labour started, and continue after birth for as long as you want. I was planning to take it every 3 hrs or so until I felt better.
Of course it didn't go to plan as labour was only 2hrs and I didn't even open my bag until a few hours after the birth! Started it then and healed incredibly quickly.
6c arnica is good for bruises, especially when combined with topical arnica cream.
Also, could I suggest wheatgerm oil for the perineal massage? It's high in vit E, which helps the elasticity. I found a pure vitamin E oil made by Solgar (stank!), and escaped stitch free.

hth

redshoes · 27/10/2004 16:41

Pupuce or other homeopath-type?

midden · 27/10/2004 17:15

I would take 200c once a day until you are in labour, then you can repeat dose 1 per 2 or 3hrs. The only thing I feel about taking remedies in early labour is that you need to remember not to eat/drink for 1/2 an hour either side of dosing, sometimes eating/drinking, especially drinking, is more important! Also as others say, you can forget as your mind is otherwise occupied. Once you are in active labour and approaching 2nd stage is a different story.

After the birth repeat dose. I kept taking mine for seven days, four or five a day I think.

I would give a child 200c if they had a really severe shock or bump but otherwise stick to 6c.

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