Homeopathy is safe for women to use during pregnancy and post-natally, including during breastfeeding. It is a gentle yet effective system of medicine and the remedies are highly diluted and are not chemical drugs, so they cannot harm the baby.

Homeopathic treatment prior to conception can help to optimise health of the prospective parents, help in cases of subfertility, and generally assist in the preparation for a healthy pregnancy. During pregnancy some women will choose to live with the discomfort of minor (but troublesome) complaints such as morning sickness, heartburn, constipation, cystitis, thrush, varicose veins, cramps etc rather than seek medical treatment due to concern about the possible side effects of orthodox medicines on their unborn child.

Childbirth can be quite a frightening prospect for some new mothers and these sort of concerns are often discussed during a homeopathic consultation. As the growing baby is considered an integral part of the mother, an appropriate homeopathic remedy that stimulates the vitality of the mother and allays her fears and anxieties can be expected to benefit the baby too. At term, remedies can help stimulate the onset of labour, and avoid the need for induction if past the expected date of delivery. During labour remedies can be used to help with ineffective or weak contractions, a rapid labour, exhaustion, anxiety and panic, bleeding, retained placenta and other difficulties. Many midwives are happy these days for women to use homeopathic remedies during labour and birth, even though the midwife may not have any specific homeopathic knowledge herself. So do discuss this with her at ante-natal visits.

There are remedy kits providing “Homeopathy for Childbirth” available from homeopathic pharmacies with instructions to follow. Discussions with a homeopath on how to use these appropriately can be helpful to the prospective parents.

After the birth, homeopathy may be used to accelerate natural healing for both mother and baby and thereby help the mother enjoy the whole experience more. Remedies can help with perineal bruising, stitches, after pains, cystitis, exhaustion, shock and the tearful baby blues. Remedies may also help a shocked, bruised baby who has had a traumatic delivery.

Difficulties with breast-feeding a new baby can be compounded by sore or cracked nipples, mastitis and slow or excessive milk supply. Several remedies can help ease these symptoms and may allow a mother to enjoy feeding her infant for longer.