Studied Homeopathic Remedies

  • Homeopathic Remedy, containing Arnica, Caulophyllum, Actea racemosa, Pulsatilla, and Gelsemium
  • Arnica montana
  • Caulophyllum
  • Belladonna
  • Cimicifuga

Medical advances have made the process of childbirth safer, but it remains a painful and difficult experience for most women. Homeopathy has shown some promise for alleviating the challenges of giving birth.

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Scientific Evaluations of Homeopathic Remedies for Childbirth Support

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial]]> involving 93 pregnant women evaluated the effectiveness of a combination remedy consisting of Arnica, Caulophyllum, Actea racemosa, Pulsatilla, and Gelsemium, each at a potency of 5c. ]]>1]]> For the women receiving treatment, the duration of labor was decreased by an average of about 3.5 hours as compared to placebo. Furthermore, only 11.3% of women given the homeopathic remedy experienced difficult labor, versus 40% in the placebo group.

However, a double-blind pilot study of 161 women that evaluated the effectiveness of Arnica montana D6 alone versus placebo failed to find benefit. ]]>2]]>

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Traditional Homeopathic Treatments for Childbirth Support

In classical homeopathy]]> , there are many possible homeopathic treatments for childbirth support, to be chosen based on various specific details of the woman seeking treatment.

Homeopathic Caulophyllum is a common homeopathic remedy in childbirth. ( Caulophyllum is made from the toxic herb blue cohosh, but it is safe when given at homeopathic potencies.) The ]]>symptom picture]]> of this remedy includes a history of irregular menstruation and previous difficult deliveries, including sharp needle-like pains occurring during labor, along with trembling, nervousness, and a sense of uterine weakness.

Belladonna is traditionally used for women in labor exhibiting delirious agitation, confusion, flushing, and fever.

The classic symptom picture of Cimicifuga includes painful spasms that travel a long distance, deep sighs, and gloominess expressed by statements to the effect that labor will be impossible to complete.

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Other Natural Options

For herbs, supplements, and other alternative treatments that may be useful for this condition, see the Pregnancy]]> and ]]>Breast-feeding Support]]> articles.

For a thorough explanation of homeopathy, including dilution of therapies, see the ]]>Homeopathy Overview]]> .