Arnica

[eidsvold]

After having bought it to use for natural childbirth - having a caesar - is Arnica useful for recovery from Caesar or not?!?!

[Portree]

Can't say for a caesar but I used arnica from immediately after the birth for about 2 weeks and I healed incredibly quickly and no pain whatsoever. My midwife was stunned as she kept telling me that I must be in pain and that I really ought to take the (opiate-derived!) painkillers! I had a ventouse delivery and a very very large episiotomy. For me, it really was wonder stuff. HTH

[motherpeculiar]

I think it would be very useful after a CAesar. ALso possibly worth taking hypericum, for deep tissue repair.

good luck

[albert]

Same story as Portree here, it's great stuff. I would definately take it even with a caesar.

[sleeplessmumof2]

my sil (who is a homeopath) had a caesar 8 weeks ago and had NO post op pain killers due to the fact that she took arnica religiously immediately and continuously before and after. Not even a panadol, i have to say i am in awe of that

[Dickers]

Can someone advise at what dose to take the arnica and hypericum? and how often

[Uwila]

Where does one get arnica? I saw it advised on caesarean thred the other day, but didn't know what it was. What is the usual dose? When do you start taking it? Any side effects?

Planning for caesarean in May (if I get my way).

[Lonelymum]

Arnica was worth taking when I had my first child by forceps delivery. I had an episiotomy and a bottom covered in one huge black bruise - it would have to be seen to be believed. My dh bought every type of Arnica (tablets, massage oil, and something else) from a healthfood shop, though I think it can be bought in Boots. Don't know whether it made a difference, but anything was worth trying at the time!

[mvgf]

Arnica cream should not be used on open skin, usually used for bruises and bumps. It can also be bought as tablets. I do not know if it would help after a caesor'?

I am sorry I do not know enough about it to help you all, but would recommend that you all visit a reputable health shop, I feel sure you will have many.

They will be able to advise what to use and also dosages.

[sleeplessmumof2]

You can get it from any homeopath or helios pharmacy or Ainsworths both homeopathic pharmacys you can call them up and give them a credit card and they will send them to you in the post they will also offer you advice on potency and frequency but from my recollection a 200c potency taken every day for about a week before your section and then probably every few hours after. Hope that helps. But as the pharmacist at ainsworths they will give you better advice. Good Luck

[hunny]

I may be coming a bit late to this thread but I used arnica 200 (homeopathic pillules) for a caesarean 2 years ago and for a vbac 6 months ago. It helped enormously and certainly reduced the need for more conventional pain relief. I used it in rotation with callendula 200, hypericum 200 and bellis perenis 200 taking one remedy every four hours for the first couple of days. After that I just took arnica when I needed it. I too was told not to be a hero by the midwife who really thought I should be necking all sorts of painkillers. I agree with mgvf and sleeplessmumof2 - talk to a homeopath about dosage. Incidentally I used the same stuff after my vbac and healed (2nd degree tear) in no time and with minimum discomfort. So, yes, arnica is useful for recovery from Caesarean! Good luck.

[Levanna]

I used the Helios homeopathic birth kit and highly recommend it. There were several remedies I was interested in having to hand and the kit contains a lot of different ones along with a booklet advising what to take and when, so it ultimately worked out more cost effective (than buying seperate remedies in large quantities). I found that I used Arnica and Bellis P most frequently, but others when needed and no painkillers were necessary though I did have them to hand too!

[Bellie]

Hi - I used arnica 200 5 days before my due date and continued until 2 weeks after my c-section. So far have healed very well and am dropping one dose of my painkillers as do not need them.
HTH

[beansprout]

I had a c-section 3 weeks ago and have healed really well and pretty quickly by all accounts. Was driving after 12 days and no problems at all with the wound. Would recommend arnica to anyone!

[SANA]

I have just got some arnica from Holland & Barret, the girl who sold it to me couldnt give me much info. Having read the pther postings it seems i can start taking it 5days before my due date but how many a day?? and how many during labour & afterwards

what does it actually do?

[Dophus]

Sorry - you're all going to hate me. It does nothing - it is water!

[spacemonkey]

Actually dophus, no it's not!

[Dophus]

We'll agree to differ [wmile]. I really truelly don't mean to offend anyone and I am just expressing an opinion but my understanding is that homeopathic remedies have been dilluted to inifinity such that they are just essentially water.

[pupuce]

Dophus, the homeopathy debate will not be resolved until we accept that NOT everything is demonstrable.
As a doula I am sometimes using caullophyllum which is known to increase contractions... I was once asked to use it on a woman under epidural and therefore on monitor. Every time she took one you could a significant difference on the monitor... I was the first one surprised....

[Dophus]

I agree that not everything is demonstrable but as a scientist - a questioning nature comes with the job!

There have been no trials using scientific standards that prove the effectiveness of any homeopathic remedy. In fact if anyone can prove a statistically significant result over placebo than there's a million pounds on offer (James Randy).

Having said that - homeopathy works for many people in a range of disorders and it is certainly in no way harmful. In my opinion, if (a) it may help, (b) it's not harmful and (c) doesn't cost the earth - then go for it!

[spacemonkey]

In my opinion the placebo effect is just as great a factor in western medicine.

[Dophus]

I agree!

[myermay]

Message withdrawn