Arnica

[nervousmum2be]

Hi, i'm 29+3 weeks and know that i have to have an elective caesarean, sometime around 38 weeks. A friend recommended taking arnica tablets pre-op to aid a speedy recovery, but i need some advice, namely:-

• How far in advance of the c/s do i need to start taking it?
  
• What dose i should take (Boots sells the 6c strength)?
  
• How often do i need to take it?
  
• And finally, how long post-op should i continue taking it?
  All tips would be very gratefully received!
  Thanks x

[eidsvold]

I just got mine from a health food shop ( am in Australia) and although I was an elective caesar too I took it as soon as I got back to my room from the operation and took it for about the first week or so. I just followed the instructions on the pack - found it helped me heal much quicker than I did with dd1 who was also a caesar. If you do a search there have been a number of threads on this topic.

[nervousmum2be]

Thanks eidsvold, i'll check them out now.

[lunachic]

arnica is fantastic take the homeopathic arnica (made by weleda or nelsons) strength 30 c you could take one before but after as soon as youve had your ceaser should be enough -i would probably take 1 or 2 tablets ever few hours on the first day less on the second (something like 1 tablet 3 times ) and then 1 or 2 the day after
usually it is though with homeopathic medicine that 'less is more' as they should help your bodies own healing process you dont need loads of the medicine for it to work effectively
also you cannot overdose on any homeopathic medicine
if you are in uk buy them from your local health food store or holland and barratt -good luck x hth

[lunachic]

if you take one before ie the day before -you dont need to start taking them now its much too early !!

[nervousmum2be]

Thanks- i've been looking at a homeopathy website, and it recommends stating taking the tablets (30c) 3 days pre-surgery through to a week after, initially 2 tablets every 2 hours, then reducing the dose to 4 times daily as symptoms improve. homeopathyshop.co.uk appears to have the best deal as their p&p is only a pound for orders under £10, and free for anything over that.

Looks like the weedy 6c ones i ordered from Boots will have to be consigned to the bathroom cupboard for minor cuts and scrapes only!

[lunachic]

as long as the date is good on it it wont be wasted it invaluable with toddlers around !

[lunachic]

heres a good homeopathy web site here

[babyonboard]

My friend told me arnica is great for post labour healing too..I may well try it, so long as it is safe with breastfeeding.
unfortunately my midwife is very straight laced and clinical and dismisses anything non-medical, which means i can't get advice from her

[milosmum]

MW told me to take arnica after my rather horrid birth. DH got them from Boots that day- started to notice a difference about 2/3 days later-i still keep the cream in the medical cabinet now for DS bruises etc....