Easing pregnancy pains with homeopathy

by Sheri Wallace

Heartburn, headache, constipation, hemorrhoids, carpal tunnel syndrome, leg and foot swelling any one of these symptoms is likely to send us to our pharmacist or physician seeking relief. But during pregnancy, when these and many other unpleasant symptoms may strike daily, many over-the-counter and prescription medications are off limits. So what's a woman to do during these nine months? One safe option is homeopathy.

"In the hands of a skilled practitioner, homeopathy is absolutely safe in pregnancy," explains Katherine Zieman, ND, associate professor of obstetrics at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Zieman recalls traditional medicine's history of prescribing "safe" drugs for pregnancy that once included thalidomide—now known to cause devastating birth defects—for morning sickness. "You will never, ever see anything like this with homeopathy," she declares.

Homeopathy is the practice of medicine based on the "law of similars." Samuel Hahnemann, the founding father of homeopathy, describes the law of similars as "let likes cure likes." In its most basic form, homeopathy does just that; a very small dose of an herb or other natural substance (such as a mineral or more exotic ingredient such as the venom of a poisonous snake) known to cause the very symptoms the patient is suffering from is administered to extinguish these symptoms.The homeopathic remedy undergoes a series of multiple dilutions, often to the point where the original therapeutic substance no longer exists in the solution.For example, a pregnant woman with morning sickness might be prescribed homeopathic Ipecacuanha to calm her nausea. This is the plant from which Syrup of Ipecac is derived, a substance that brings on vomiting.

Other homeopathic remedies commonly used during pregnancy and childbirth include:

• Aconite – used to treat premature labor or extremely fast labor with sharp pain.
• Bellis Perennis – used to relieve sciatica pain during pregnancy and to reduce the pain associated with the stretching of uterine ligaments.
• Calendula – has many uses, including a healing balm for the perineum after childbirth and for healing any cuts or lacerations during pregnancy.
• Chamomilla – commonly used to treat over-sensitivity or hostility during labor by inducing a sense of calm and well-being.
• Cimidifuga – used when contractions are ineffective or when the cervix is not dilating properly.
• Kali Carb – given for back labor and when the baby presents itself in the posterior position.
• Kali Phos – given for exhaustion during pregnancy or childbirth.
• Pulsatilla – may be given after the 36th week to encourage a breech-positioned baby to turn, or during labor if the mother is weepy or feeling helpless.
• Sepia – given during pregnancy for a "dragging down" feeling as well as irritability and indifference. Also used to treat uterine prolapse.

Taking these remedies is simple. You place the pill usually a sugar pill infused with the active ingredient under your tongue where it dissolves in a matter of minutes; often with no unpleasant taste or odor. Dr. Zieman notes that it is important not to take another dose unless the first was ineffective; homeopathy is traditionally a one-dose treatment.

Homeopathic practitioners will also treat common pregnancy-related complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and insomnia. If a pregnant or nursing mom has multiple symptoms, several remedies can be safely administered together, says Dr. Zieman. It is important to note, however, that women diagnosed with high blood pressure or diabetes, or those who go into labor prematurely, should not rely exclusively on homeopathic remedies as a cure for these serious complications of pregnancy.

Homeopathic medicines are prepared through a series of dilutions, explains John Collins, ND, chair of the homeopathy department at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, which renders the active ingredient infinitesimally diluted and virtually unable to cause harm, even for pregnant or nursing women and their babies. In fact, Dr. Collins reports that pregnant women are particularly susceptible to the small doses used in homeopathy, and may be completely cured in a short amount of time. According to Dr. Collins, "Homeopathy works like a car starter it promotes the body to fix itself by jump-starting the process. There are no harmful medicines used."

Homeopathy does have its disbelievers. Doctors like Stephen Barrett, MD, say that homeopathic medicines are so diluted that a person is more likely to ingest dust, pollen, or other particulates than any remnant of the original ingredient. He also suggests that the reported benefits of such remedies are merely a result of the placebo effect.

Dr. Barrett and many other health professionals have called on the FDA to issue stricter regulations on homeopathy. Presently, the FDA allows homeopathic remedies to be marketed as drugs and mandates that homeopathic medicines must be manufactured using the uniform procedures specified in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. This is too little regulation says Dr. Barrett, "If the FDA required homeopathic remedies to be proven effective in order to remain marketable the standard that is applied to other categories of drugs homeopathy would face extinction in the United States."

Despite its critics, many people find relief with homeopathic remedies. "Homeopathy depends on the patient receiving exactly the right medicine, so seeing someone experienced makes a big difference," explains Dr. Collins. Therefore, patients should seek a practitioner who specializes in homeopathic remedies and has treated people with their specific symptoms. A typical visit to a homeopath will take longer than a visit to a traditional doctor. "The homeopath must understand the mental and emotional state of the patient as well as her various symptoms; this process can take some time. It is almost impossible to prescribe the correct homeopathic remedy based on one or two symptoms over the phone," says Dr. Collins.

Homeopathy is also slow to catch on with insurance companies, leaving patients to pay for the treatments out of pocket. Since homeopathy can require multiple visits to a practitioner, it may not be for those on a tight budget.

There are no specific guidelines or educational requirements necessary to practice homeopathy, therefore to find a reputable homeopathic practitioner, Dr. Collins recommends contacting a professional homeopathic organization for a listing of the homeopaths in your area.