just ordered my arnica tablets (and some caulophyllum) and thought I'd share the info

[Thomcat]

Arnica tablets - I used them with Lottie. I took them straight after labour and I'll be doing the same agin this time. You take them during labour, but I totally didn't think about it at the time, and then you take them for 5 days after to help with the internal bruisiung, helps you heal quicker.

I got 40 or 50 for £4
tel 01305 263 996
Company called Gaylan. Recomended to me by my reflexologist.

I also ordered something called caulophyllum which I haven't used before:

During labour itself, Caulophyllum eases delivery. It has a tonic effect on the uterus and fallopian tubes and increases uterine muscle tone.
Additional Comments: Native American women drank an infusion of blue cohosh a few weeks before childbirth to make the birth process swift and easy, and also used it for cramps and children's colic. The Physiomedicalists used it to counter restlessness and pain during pregnancy and to reduce labour pains.

I'm hoping to not need anything else!

stop,stop you are frightening me. No pain relief!

I really didn't need it though, and maybe you won't either. I wouldn't be a martyr about it but just really never felt I needed help. Have to say I was disappointed i didn't get a go on the gas and air as that is supposed to be fun

TC,

I used arnica with dd and found it helped alot. I had a bad tear and lots of stiching and found the arnica really did the trick.

i used arnica but started tablets about a month beforehand, thought this was what you did? anyway it worked, no bruises!

I used arnica and it definitely helped, I started taking it when I went into labour, but kept forgetting as I was in and out of hospital (dd took 5 days to arrive from onset of early labour). Didn't feel my epidural bruise until dd was about 3 weeks old and my episiotomy healed really well. Would really recommend it.

Good luck to you thomcat. I had four homebirths with no drugs or intervention. I'm deeply unpopular with other women because of it though as it sounds smug.
I still like letting people know because IME there are too few positive birth stories around because the others are more interesting.
It's like news stories tend to be bad because good ones or worthy ones are less interesting. iyswim.

Thanks for the arnica tip. That's a good price. I get through a fair bit of the stuff with the kids falling down every couple of minutes.

Thomcat - I understand you can take arnica during labour every half an hour if needed, how often should you take it after the birth?

Hi girls, funnily enough I just bought some arnica in tablet form in Boots today. It's 6c dosage and says 2 tablets every 2hrs to start with. Does anyone have any info on what quantity is safe during labour/post labour? TIA

BTW, that price is excellent compared to what I just spent in Boots. May get some more from there!

Just found this . Guess it answers my question! Any comments on what you have taken in the past though would be good to hear.

If you want to use it DURING labour, I think you need the 200cc strength.

I used both of those remedies, Thomcat, and also aconite, which is for anxiety/fearfulness. I had a moment of panic early on when i thought: this will hurt won't it.... I took the aconite and could feel the panic subside. It was my 3rd baby and I wasn't particularly anxious beforehand (I was induced at 38 weeks - she's 1 month old today!), and only took the aconite because I really rate the midwife who gave it to me.

Good luck!

Why didn't you have just a leetle puff of gas&air for fun TC?

Also don't forget about mag phos for after pains.

oooo! was meant to get some aconite, arnica and rescue remedy. will get some tomoro if baba still in there.

i got 30c strength ones, will try and remeber during labout but if not will tak eimmediatley after for the following 5 days.

I've ordered Caulophyllum, but not sure who I should check with re taking it. It sounds fab and I'm well up for it, esp as I don't want a late baby, (due 22 Dec).

Great, thanks for the info. Will look up Caulophyllum and Aconite a bit more before getting some in! Haven't heard of either of them, but then again didn't know Arnica could be used to relieve labour aches until ds was about 2 months old (off MN ofcourse!)!

Just found these briefly - link1 and link2

Thomcat - caulophyllum can be used to induce labour. Take 30 dose every 2 hrs for up to 6 doses. wait for 3 days and repeat. If this does not work then baby is not ready to be born. good luck.