Remedies for Labour and After the Birth

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Gentle, natural support for birth and beyond

Three weeks before the EDD

Remedies for first stage of labour

Remedies for the transition and second stage of labour

Remedies for the third stage of labour

Remedies for the next few weeks

Bach flower remedies for adapting to life after the birth

How to take Bach remedies

Post-natal herbal teas

Bath or spray mix for healing the perineum

Products for the newborn

A note about cranio-sacral therapy

Useful reading

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Gentle, natural support for birth and beyond
Most women are fortunate these days in that we have a greater say about how and where we would like to give birth to our children. Whichever way you choose to give birth, in hospital or at home; in a birth pool or on dry land; with or without pain relief - natural remedies can be of great assistance. The remedies mentioned here are safe, simple and gently supportive; they may be used by breastfeeding mothers and in conjunction with any medication that might be given at the hospital.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: there are many herbs that should not be taken by pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Ask for professional advice if you are at all unsure. See also Disclaimer . 

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Three weeks before the EDD 
Now is the time to really relax and take care of yourself. If you are working, try to have at least a couple of weeks off before your EDD. If you have been active throughout your pregnancy, slow down. Listen to your body; try gentle stretching and breathing exercises. Accept as much help as you are offered and try to sleep as much as you can. 

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Gentle Remedies for Relaxation
A relaxing aromatherapy massage with appropriate oils in low concentration can be of great benefit, try Neroli or Pettigrain. 
White Chestnut Bach flower remedy may help with insomnia due to circling thoughts and worrying; Impatiens for frustration if you are overdue. 
Chamomile tea and Limeflower tea will also help to calm and relax. If insomnia persists see a homeopath for advice. 

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Homeopathic Preparation for the Birth
The best way of preparing for labour is to see a homeopath and take your individual constitutional remedy in order to strengthen your system in preparation. See a homeopath for more information or if you wish to take higher potencies. Arnica is often recommended in preparation for the birth, however, there is a small risk that Arnica can thin the blood and increase bleeding during the birth, so it is better to take Arnica 30c or 200c postpartum.
If you are overdue the two remedies - Pulastilla 200c and Caulophyllum 200c can help to start the birth process. Pulsatilla helps to soothe and reassure anxiety in the baby and Caulophyllum helps to stregthen utrine contractions. Take the Pulsatilla first then wait 15 minutes then take the Caulophyllum. Wait 15 minutes then repeat the above twice so that you take 3 doses of each remedy alternately with a 15 minutes space in between each one. Then wait! This process can be repeated three times on consecutive days.

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Remedies for first stage of labour 
In the first stage of labour it is important to keep as relaxed as possible. The same is true for your birthing partner(s). In the earlier part: try to sleep; have a bath; do gentle stretches through the contractions; listen to music and generally try to keep calm. It might be helpful look at the contractions in a different way, rather than as a painful experience, look at them as "an interesting sensation that demands your full attention." 

Five Flower Remedy, more commonly known as Rescue Remedy, is an ideal remedy to take during labour and after the birth. Add twenty drops to a bottle of spring water and drink frequently. The drops can also be added to herbal teas or diluted apple juice (four drops per cup). Four drops may be added to baby's first bath. 
You might like to take an aromatic spray in with you (especially if the labour ward does not smell particularly nice). A spray made with a base of flower water (choose from lavender, rose or chamomile water) will cool you down, calm and relax you and perfume and purify the air. If you wish, add four drops each of Five-flower remedy, crab apple and walnut. 
Clary sage has been used during labour to stimulate contractions - use in a massage oil. Use one drop of clary sage per five ml of base oil. 

 

Remedies for the transition and second stage of labour 
By this time in the proceedings, you will probably not be thinking about remedies at all! During transition your whole being is focused on the rhythm of the contractions, your breathing and the movements of the baby inside you. As the second stage begins you are completely absorbed in pushing and breathing. This is as it should be. Perhaps the best method of pain relief is to focus on the breath, try not to let anything take you away from this focus. If you wish, a birthing partner may add flower remedies to your drinks at this stage. Olive, if the labour has been long and you are very tired; Larch for loss of confidence; Mimulus for fear. These are to be given in addition to Walnut and Five-flower remedy. 

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Remedies for the third stage of labour 
Once your baby is born, it is good for you and the baby to cuddle and be close until the cord stops pulsating, if this is possible. Once the cord is cut or if the contractions start, it is time to direct your attention to the expulsion of the placenta. It does seem rather tiresome to get back into having contractions again, when you would much rather be gazing at and holding your little one. Caulophyllum 30c or 200c is an invaluable homeopathic remedy for stimulating contractions, and may be taken instead of the injection offered for the same purpose. This remedy is available from the Haelan Centre Holistic Pharmacy.

 

Remedies for the next few weeks 
Arnica helps alleviate bruising, dull pain and shock it is useful for both mother and baby - who will get the dose through the breast milk. Hypericum helps to reduce the sharper pain associated with tears and cuts that occur during the birth. Take these in the 30c potency until you can move around freely without pain. Arnica 200c is more appropriate if the birth was difficult or for first time mums as it helps to treat shock. Bothe remedies greatly speed up the healing process, but remember not to do too much too soon. You will probably know in yourself when to stop these remedies, if you stop too early you feel markedly more uncomfortable than when you were taking the medicine. 
Continue to take Five Flower and Walnut flower remedies they will help you to adjust, particularly if you are a first time mother. 
Aromatherapists recommend Jasmine essential oil to help to alleviate the baby blues. It is available as a 5% dilution to use as perfume oil - it makes a lovely present for a new mother. 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: it is especially important now to keep up the good nutritional habits that you hopefully established during pregnancy. Please refer to the pregnancy article for detailed nutritional information; the same guidelines continue to apply. 

Bach flower remedies for adapting to life after the birth