Homeopathic Natural Birth After Caesarean.
by Kathryn Horton.
Traditional Homoeopath.
"It's easier and safer to have a c-section since you have already
had one for your first child."
- How many times did I hear that through the course of my ante-natal
"care."
"We can let you start labour so you can feel what contractions are
like and then we can do a c-section."
- No, not for me. I was going the whole distance with a natural birth,
relying on homoeopathy, (a form of natural medicine working on physical
and emotional levels) and West Australian Bush Flower Essences.
Let me give you a brief backgroundÉ
Seven years ago, I fell pregnant with my first child. My joy quickly
turned into a nightmare however as the hormones kicked in and I became
depressed and terrified of the labour due to previous life experiences.
I suffered depression, nightmares, flashbacks, tremendous nausea and
averaged one day a week off work as a result. I felt trapped and desperate.
Trying to find a doctor who could understand my fears was seemingly
impossible. I was met with statements like "you could come back another
time when I am not so busy to talk about your problems." "All that
was long ago in your past, you should be over that now." Not helpful
in my circumstances at the time. Talking about my problems did not
help. I needed something more, but did not know what. I was feeling
humiliated, angry, hurt, un-cared for and desperate. Looking back,
I prefer to think they were offering "tough love"- but it was not
appropriate then for me. It was not until the last few weeks of the
pregnancy, that the doctor's began to realize the seriousness of my
situation, and it was decided that under the circumstances, a cesarean
would be best, for both me and baby.
There were two things that got me through - the love in my marriage,
which was taking a battering; and homoeopathy - which a friend suggested
I try for the nausea. It worked extremely well. But back then I did
not know itŐs full potential, and did not open up to the practitioner.
It was not until I was recovering from the c-section that I began
to see how deeply it could work - on all levels - physical, emotional
and mental. I had always been cautious about taking medical drugs,
and it was a relief that I had something else that I could rely upon.
Baby son and I were home 2 days after the birth. Through appropriate
treatment, my whole life changed and I was so inspired by it, I commenced
studies to become a homoeopath.
Fast forward a few years and I am pregnant again with my daughter.
This pregnancy was the complete opposite of my first. Joyous, nausea-free.
I glowed.
The only problem arose because I wanted a natural birth - for all
the obvious reasons as well as to prove to myself that I had truly
moved on from my previous life. From a homoeopathic practitioner's
point of view, the experience would be invaluable.
Birth preparation began about 6 weeks before my due date, with various
remedies and essences applied to the scar area in order to make it
more flexible.
All was going well, until 3 weeks before the due date I developed
a cough, so violent that I coughed baby out of her engaged position.
The cough ceased with the right remedy, but baby was not in a hurry
to re-engage, so that the week before I was due, I was informed that
if she did not engage and there were no contractions within a few
days, they would perform a c-section - especially due to my previous
anxieties. There was no acknowledgement that I was a totally different
person. Confident. Eager. Brimming with excitement.
This became a test of my homoeopathic studies and resolve. In consultation
with a qualified homoeopath, we developed a plan. Appropriate remedies
were applied to my tummy to help baby re-engage. Baby must have been
reading the correct books as she moved into position after the expected
3 days of treatment.
My last scheduled doctor's visit was on the morning of my due date.
I left with their familiar negative words ringing in my ears, but
my resolve had not lessened. I just waited patiently for the remedies
to work. That afternoon, the contractions started, but they remained
weak and irregular all evening.
I was concerned my energy levels would drop if the ineffectual contractions
continued for too long. So I applied Purple Enamel Orchid ( an Australian
Bush Flower Essence for irregular contractions) every 15 minutes.
The contractions grew stronger and regular and husband and I were
in the hospital at midnight. By the time we arrived, the contractions
had stopped with all the drama of the drive. More Purple Enamel Orchid
and we were under way again. The attending midwife made it very clear
she was happy to give me an epidural or arrange fore a c-section.
I assured her I was fine and could manage quite well.
I was immediately hooked up to the feotal heart monitor - bub was
fine - but it certainly increased my pain. I continued taking arnica
(a homoeopathic remedy for pain, bruising, shock) and menzies banksii
(Australian Flower essence for cramping and pain), which I started
once the contractions became uncomfortable. My husband rubbed in Pain
Cream as best he could around the contraption's belt. I was feeling
very negative towards the machine - I was unable to move and apply
heat and pressure - all things which help relieve pain for me. The
doctor had told me originally that I would be free to move around
while still attached to the machine, but was told in hospital that
if I moved around, they would have to attach a probe to the baby's
head - which I found particularly repugnant - my baby was not going
to suffer. But I was amused by watching the machine record the contractions
that occurred exactly one minute after taking a dose of Purple Enamel
Orchid.
I grew very sleepy and needed to sleep, so eased off on the remedies
and dozed.
The morning did not get off to a good start, with the doctor who
took my blood sample failing to put my name on it and needing to return
for a second one.
Moving into the birthing room, I started a-fresh with the head midwife.
She was wonderful - amazed I had come so far with no help from any
kind of "modern" drug. She was the first medical person to support
me and share my desire for a natural birth, even asking which remedy
to use and where to apply. She even removed a doctor who wanted to
perform an episiotomy.
There were many challenges along the way - pain, nausea, exhaustion
- but each was met with the right remedy. But in the end, I was glad
that I had chosen for the birth to be in hospital - my sweet bundle
decided to descend with her hand next to her head, tearing the length
of the birth canal. But, by 1.25 PM, I had delivered a beautiful baby
girl who had slept through the whole birth. A doctor was called from
surgery in order to stitch me up - a process as long as a c-section.
Despite all the tugging and clinking of metallic objects, I remained
calm. I had come a long way. Despite this, I was still eager to go
home as soon as possible, much to the doctor's disapproval. He thought
I would be back in a few days due to the pain and inability to urinate,
which "would of course prevent me from breast-feeding." With the aid
of a lactation consultant, breast-feeding had not been a problem after
the caesarian, so I was not expecting difficulties after a natural
birth. I knew that pain from stitches could easily be treated with
such remedies as Spinifex and Hypericum.
At 7.30 that night, I was home sitting down to dinner, grateful that
I had homoeopathy. I had none of their expected problems. Or rather,
if a problem started to arise, it was swiftly treated. And I am content
that my child has received no drug.
When asked which kind of birth I preferred, the answer is without
a doubt, a natural birth. Yes, there is discomfort after a natural
birth, but it is NOTHING in comparison to caesarian pain. You are
relatively independent straight away, and breast-feeding is certainly
a lot easier - little knees and feet can cause a lot of pain around
the sensitive abdominal area.
Yes, there are obstacles to natural birth after caesarian, but they
CAN be overcome. Find the best health care provider you can, one who
understands and can work with you, do the preparation, and reap the
rewards.
Homoeopathic remedies need to be selected for each individual person
- the remedies I have mentioned in this article were suitable for
me, and may not be suitable for you. Should you wish your birth to
be assisted by homoeopathy, you should consult a qualified homoeopathic
practitioner, who can develop a birthing remedy kit with you.
Safe birthing naturally.
Kathryn Horton
**********
HOMOEOPATHY for HEALTH
For a natural way of healing Homoeopathy is a form of natural medicine
that uses the energy of a substance to stimulate your body into healing
itself on physical, emotional and mental levels.
Sympathetic, understanding treatment from a qualified
homoeopath with personal, real life experiences.
Specializing in fertility, pregnancy, birth preparation, VBAC, post
partum care, (including caesarian) and lactation problems.
Gentle. Safe for all ages.
No bad tastes or smells.
For more information or to make an appointment, contact
Kathryn at:
HOMOEOPATHY for HEALTH
Suite 2, 35 Hay Street, Subiaco
Telephone: 9382 4270
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