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By

Dr.Soumya Mathew
1st MD,CR

Homeobook.com
E-journal
December 2010

Author- Dr.Dhiraj Nanda

Topic-homoeopathy during pregnancy


&before pregnancy

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Homoeopathy during pregnancy

Pregnancy is one time when a homoeopath


deals with two individuals (mother & child).
Treatment during pregnancy has to focus on
Management of pregnancy related
complaints and symptoms;
Treatment of diseases that affect the
mother; and
Medication for Breech presentation with aim
to avoid C-sections.
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• Pregnancy is the journey that belongs to
sycosis miasm where homoeopath has to treat
two individual but can charge fees only to one.
The constitution may be one as
• a) During antenatal, fetus is part of mother;
• b) Child health is related to maternal health;
and
• c) After birth child is dependent on mother for
6-9 months

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Management of pregnancy related complaints and symptoms

The common symptoms


felt by a pregnant lady are
given below in alphabetical
order:
1. Backache
2. Breathlessness
3. Constipation
4. Fainting
5. Fatigue
6. Indigestion
7. Mood swings
8. Morning sickness
9. Nasal stuffiness.

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Backache
• Low back pain • Pathophysiologically,
extending down the legs during pregnancy the
is a common complaint high levels of
during pregnancy. progesterone result in
• aggravates in the third the stretching and
trimester as this area of softening of ligaments
the body gets affected in the pelvic area and
by the additional weight the spine in
that the pregnant ladies preparation for birth.
carry.
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Non-medicinal management:

Do’s Don’ts
 1. Massages under  1. Avoid wearing high heels
supervision of a qualified as it strains the back.
professional can be of  2. Do not sleep on very soft
great help. or very hard surfaces as
 2. Exercises for back can these may be right for the
help relieve the pain. back.
 3. Do not lift heavy weights
 3. Try to maintain a good
as puts strain on back.
posture

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Homoeopathic Remedies
• The best remedy is the  Coloc
constitutional remedy of  Kali c
the patient.  Nat. mur
Some frequently indicated  Nat. sulph
remedies are:
 Puls
 Arnica
 Rhus tox;
 Bell
 Sil
 Bellis
 Sulph
 Bryonia
 Calc phos
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Breathlessness

 During pregnancy there is  anaemia.


extra demand of oxygen  Overweight, twins or large
as metabolic rate baby also increase
increases. breathlessness.
 Pathophysiologically,
with the growth of the
baby the uterus expands
which limits the
expandability of lungs as
movements of diaphragm
are restricted.
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Non-medicinal management
Do’s Don’ts

 1.
Regular breathing  1. Avoid trips to high
exercises are highly altitude where there
beneficial. is low levels of
2. Keeping head oxygen.
elevated during
sleep helps.

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The best remedy is the constitutional remedy of the
patient.
Some frequently indicated remedies are

 Acon  Laur
 Antim. ars.  Lyco
 Antim. tart  Nux-v
 Apoc  Puls
 Ars.  Viol

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Constipation
Constipation is common during and after
pregnancy.
On pathophysiological level, progesterone relaxes
the muscles in the intestines as a result:
1. Food to move slowly through the digestive
tract.
2. More than usual water is absorbed making stool
hard and dry.
3. insufficient dietary fiber and synthetic iron
supplements that are commonly prescribed in
pregnancy
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Non-medicinal management:
Do’s Don’ts

 Drink plenty of water,  Avoid straining at


and eat plenty of fiber, stools.
fruits and vegetables.  Avoid fast food items
 Exercise regularly. with less or no fiber.
 Respond immediately
to the urge to go to the
toilet

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Homoeopathic Remedies

• The best remedy is the constitutional remedy of the


patient.
• Some frequently indicated remedies are:
• Alum
• Coll
• Dol
• Nat-s
• Nux-v
• Plat
• Plum
• Sep.
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Cramping
• Cramps are felt by the lady mostly in third
trimester.
• Cramps are felt as sharp aching pains in the
thighs, calves or feet.

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Pathophysiologically, cramps occur because of:
Low levels of calcium as calcium from mother
reaches the growing baby

Secondly, the growing baby pushing against the


walls of uterus. This causes the uterus to
continuously contract which in turn causes
cramps.

 Pressure from uterus on the veins affects the


return of blood from legs causing leg cramps,
especially when resting or sleeping for long
durations.

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Non-medicinal management
Do’s Don’ts
 Gentle to firm massage of the
area where cramps are  Avoid stimulants like coffee
experienced is very effective. or tea as these appear to
 Sleep with feet slightly decrease the absorption of
elevated. Place a pillow under some minerals.
the feet.
 Exercise regularly and
stretching the muscles by
extending and flexing the
heels.
 Take diet that contains
adequate calcium and
magnesium.
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Homoeopathic Remedies
• The best remedy is the constitutional remedy
of the patient.
Some frequently indicated remedies are:
 Cupr
Mag. Phos.
Nux-v.
 Sepia
 Verat
 Vib.
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Fainting

• Some ladies experience fainting spells during


pregnancy.
• This feeling of dizziness or fainting spells occur
from circulatory changes, stress, fatigue and
hunger.

• Pathophysiolgically, during pregnancy the


developing child also requires blood supply.
Hence, the blood supply to uterus is increased
with reduced blood supply to other parts of
the body.
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• It is important to note that if episodes of
dizziness or fainting spells are severe and
occur with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding
one should consult gyanecologist as it may be
a case of an ectopic pregnancy.

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Fatigue
 During pregnancy the metabolism steps up in
order to support the developing baby as well as
mother’s body, causing fatigue and feeling a need
to sleep more than usual.

 During initial weeks after conception, mother’s


body begins to produce more blood to carry
nutrients to the fetus.

 The heart increases its work to accommodate


this increased blood flow.

 The hormone progesterone which is required in


high levels during pregnancy has a sedating
effect. Homeobook.com
• Other factors that may contribute to the
feeling of fatigue are:
1. Emotional : anxiety, depression, etc.
2. Nutritional : anemia, under-nutrition or mal-
nutrition.
3. Physio-pathological like pains, insomnia, etc.

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Non-medicinal management:
Do’s
 Take adequate rest.
 Eat a balanced diet.
 Regular exercise will increase the stamina.
 Sleep adequately with relaxed mind. Massage
also helps to relax and sleep.
Don’ts
 Unhealthy eating. The fatigue in early pregnancy
can get worse if unhealthy eating habits are not
corrected.
 Avoid emotionally straining situations.
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Homoeopathic Remedies
• The best remedy is the  Fer.phos.
constitutional remedy  Helon.
of the patient.  Murx.
• Some frequently  Sep
indicated remedies are
 Sulph
 Alet.
 Verat
 Alum
 Alumn
 Cal-p.
 Caul.
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Indigestion

• Indigestion with throwing up is common


symptom experienced by a majority of the
ladies. They experience indigestion that is
worse after meals, when lying down, straining
or coughing.

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The cause of indigestion can be explained
pathophysiologically as follows:
 Progesterone relaxes the valve between the
oesophagus and the stomach, making it easier for
stomach acid to flow into the oesophagus,
irritating the oesophagus and causing a burning
sensation in the chest.
 Pressure on the stomach from the growing
uterus may also cause stomach acid to flow
upwards.
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Non-medicinal management:
Do’s
• 1. Eat small quantities at small intervals. Also
remember age old advice of eating slowly, chewing
your food well.
• 2. Take dinner (last major meal of the day) at least two-
three hours before going to sleep.
• 3. Eat small quantities of ‘Ajawain’, ‘Jeera’ and ‘Saunf’
instead of medicines for mild indigestion symptoms.
• 4. Limit the intake of stimulants like coffee and tea as
may aggravate.

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Don’ts
 Do not lie down immediately after eating.
Avoid spicy, greasy, sugary or sweet foods as
these may increase indigestion symptoms.
Do not drink much water with meals as this
dilutes the digestive juices.

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Homoeopathic Remedies
• The best remedy is the constitutional remedy of the
patient. Some frequently indicated remedies are:
 Ars. Alb.
 Carb-v.
 Con.
 Ip.
 Nux-v.
 Puls.
 Sep
 Sin-a
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Mood Swings

• Variable moods during pregnancy are


experienced because of hormonal changes
associated with it.

• The symptoms include mood changes,


unexplained crying and anxiety. These
symptoms can last throughout the pregnancy.

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Non-medicinal management

Do’s
• 1. Meditation and relaxation techniques are
very helpful.
• 2. Regular exercise also helps to regulate
hormonal secretions.
Don’ts
• 1. Avoid emotionally strainful situations
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Homoeopathic Remedies
The best remedy is the constitutional remedy
of the patient.
Some frequently indicated remedies are: Puls.;
Sep.; etc.

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Morning Sickness
• The most common illness or discomfort
experienced by the lady during pregnancy is
morning sickness.
• Though it is called ‘Morning Sickness’ it is not
a sickness or disease.
• It should be treated only when the symptoms
are severe.
• it is caused by an increase in hormone levels
during the early months of pregnancy.
• It can range from mild nausea to constant
vomiting requiring hospitalization

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• Apart from hormonal changes, low blood
sugar levels in morning may be contributory
factor.

• Hunger or fasting can also induce similar


symptoms in pregnancy.

• Studies also suggest that many ladies feels less


symptoms on the days they are occupied with
some work which diverts their attention.

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Non-medicinal management
Do’s
Don’ts
 Get up from bed after a  Do not remain for long
light snack. periods without food.
 Eat smaller meals  Avoid emotionally straining
frequently. situations.
 If possible, emotional
aspects that are causing  Avoid heavy, oily food-
disturbance should be items.
discussed with those  Avoid odours that trigger
concerned with it. nausea.
 Drink adequate amount of
water

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Homoeopathic Remedies

• Anac • Med
• Antim-c. • Nat-s.
• Asar • Nux-m.
• Chel. • Nux–v
• Cocc. • Puls.
• Colch • Sep.
• Ipecac. • Tab.
• Kreost. • Verat-alb.; etc.
• Lac-ac.

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Nasal symptoms
• Some ladies experience recurrent nasal stuffiness
and running nose symptoms.
• This is due to the hormonal effects on the nasal
passages
• Stress and fatigue may contribute to nasal
symptoms.
• Pathophysiologically, there occurs an increase in
fluid in the mucous membrane linings leading to
swelling and a blockage of the sinuses. If the
blocked sinuses become infected, sinusitis may
develop causing headaches, pain at the base of
the nose and around the orbits.
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Non-medicinal management:
Do’s
 Drinking adequate amount of fluids is helpful.
 Steam inhalation tends to relieve the symptoms in
majority of the patients.
 Application of warmth to painful areas is helpful.
 Breathing exercises, yoga and relaxation exercises are
beneficial.
Don’ts
 Avoid exposure to sudden changes of temperature.
 Do not take icy cold food-items.

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The best remedy is the constitutional remedy of the
patient
Some frequently indicated remedies are
• Ars. Alb. • Hep.
• All-c • Kali-bi.
• Arund • Nux-v.
• Bell. • Pul.
• Euph. • Sil.; etc.

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Diseases that affect the mother

• Diseases that affect the mother are different


from complaints and symptoms of pregnancy
that have been discussed above. In this
section we deal with diseases

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Diseases that that affect the mother can be divided
mainly into following:
1. Cardiovascular – Gestational Hypertension,
Chronic Hypertension, Pre-eclampsia and
Eclampsia.
2. Endocrinal diseases – Gestational Diabetes;
Diabetes Mellitus; diseases of Thyroid; diseases
of Para-Thyroid; Pitutary Diseases, adenoma
being commonest.
3. Gastro-intestinal – Hyperemesis Gravidarum;
IBS.
4. Hematological – Anaemia; Bleeding disorders;
etc.
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• 5. Hepatic – Hepatitis A, B, C, and E;
Cholecystitis, Obstretic Cholestasis, Acute
Fatty Liver of pregnancy.
• 6. Infectious – STDs; UTIs; Viral Infections; etc.
• 7. Muscular – Muscle fatigue; Muscular
dystrophies (LGMD); Mysthenia gravis; etc.

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• 8. Neurological – Mononeuropathies; Lumbo-
Sacral Disease Syndrome (LSDS); Seizures; etc.
• 9. Renal – Proteinuria; UTIs
• 10. Respiratory – URTIs; URTAs; Asthma etc.
• 11. Skeletal – RA; SLE; Periarthritis; etc.
• 12. Vascular – DVT.

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Homoeopathic medicines for Breech
presentation with aim to avoid C-sections
• Homoeopathic medicines can be used for Breech
presentation with aim to avoid C-sections.

• Research studies by some authors to this effect


have been published in a few journals.

• A breech position is when the baby is positioned


in the womb to be born feet or buttocks first. A
breech birth is frequently delivered by caesarean.
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• Pulsatilla and Natrum Muriaticum are two
remedies that can help turn the baby around
in the womb

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