The following discussion will illustrate the value of homoeopathic remedies in obstetrics. An elderly primipara, 37 years of age, was safely carried through a prolonged labor with repeated doses of Gelsemium and Sepia. Actual labor time was thirty-six hours and low forceps had to be applied. I am positive that if this case had been in the hands of an allopathic physician, she would have had a caesarian.
My method of prescribing, in this case, as well as in my other cases is as follows: first, I like to see what the patient is capable of doing without any remedies. This patient was about two fingers dilated, cervix thick and rigid when medication was first begun. She was given Gelsemium 30., 2 tablets every half hour for three doses. At the end of the hour, her pains became stronger and more frequent. It was necessary to repeat the Gelsemium 4 hours later, because the pains had begun to diminish in intensity.
After three more doses of Gelsemium, the pains again became stronger. I thought at this time she would be able to deliver within a few hours. The pains again diminished and I gave her constitutional remedy, Sepia 200. By morning, the head was on the perineum and I delivered her with low forceps. She was given Arnica 200., 2 tablets every four hours for one day post partum. She was discharged in ten days time.
The above case was delivered two years ago. I mention the time because since then I have read the British Post Graduate Correspondence Course in Homoeopathy and many other articles, one particularly, on the use of remedies in obstetrics. In one of the lectures given in the British Postgraduates Course, Caulophyllum is mentioned as having been given during the last month of the prenatal period. Since then it has been my custom to give Caulophyllum to primiparas and I have found that not only does it make labor easier, but it also reduces the actual labor time considerably.
I have also used Arnica and Kali phos. during the last month of pregnancy and the results are the same as with Caulophyllum. In one case where I used Arnica 30., 2 tablets daily during the last month of pregnancy, the patient, a primipara, thirty-six years old, took six hours to deliver. She had no medication during labor with the exception of the Arnica that she had received during her last month of pregnancy. I have read where Arnica is used by a lot of homoeopaths in Germany to bring about a normal delivery.
There are also some excellent combination tablets on the market that are used to make labor easier. I have read of some men using these tablets before labor. I have not had any occasion to use these combination tablets as I have had such excellent results with Caulophyllum, Arnica and Kali phos. In the near future, I intend to use Gelsemium in a similar manner, because I believe it will produce the same results as the above mentioned medicines.
I repeat this statement, and I cannot emphasize it too strongly, that since using these remedies during the last month of pregnancy, labor time has been reduced to a minimum, particularly in primiparas, and very little prescribing is necessary during the actual labor. The remedies act by strengthening the uterine muscles, thus overcoming any uterine inertia.
Before I began to use the remedies in the above mentioned manner, I used to prescribe only during the actual labor period. Naturally I would prescribe for any symptoms that would develop during the early pregnancy such as nausea and vomiting, constipation, etc. I found when prescribing for labor in this way, that my main remedies were Gelsemium, Pulsatilla, Cimicifuga, Chamomilla, Ignatia and Caulophyllum. Other remedies were occasionally used, but the above remedies covered the majority of cases.
It is interesting to note the action of the remedy during labor. It will increase the pains, that is, the pains become stronger and more frequent, and yet there is perfect relaxation in between pains. This must be seen to be appreciated, and anyone using the remedies in obstetrics will be surprised and astounded at the results obtained. I have found that the remedies will not initiate labor. Labor has to come by itself, but when once begun, the remedies will carry the patient through a normal labor period.
Postpartum, I use Arnica routinely, two tablets of the 200. every four hours for one or two days as needed. This I find is sufficient in the majority of cases; however, some cases may need Chamomilla, Pulsatilla, Secale, Sepia or Sabina.
The following are remedies that I have used for nausea and vomiting. I usually begin with Ipecac 30., two every four hours for one or two days as needed. Should this fail, other remedies may be indicated such as Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Ant. tart., Sepia, Sulphur, Ars. alb., Ignatia, Symphoricarpus, and others too numerous to mention.
For albuminuria: Apis, Cantharides, Terebinth, Merc.cor., Belladonna, Equisetum and Lycopodium.
For varicose veins and haemorrhoids: Pulsatilla Sulph., Hamamelis, Carbo veg., Calc. fluor., Nux vomica.
For diarrhea: Chamomilla, Pulsatilla, Nux, Sulph., Ars. alb.
For palpitation: Ignatia, Coffea and Chamomilla.
I have not had any occasion to treat any retained placentas or extensive post partum haemorrhages. I am, therefore, mentioning the remedies used by Jahr and Yingling: Pulsatilla, Sepia and Secale, occasionally Sabina, Platina, Caulophyllum and Cimicifuga for retained placenta.
For post partum haemorrhage Yingling mentions Ipecac, Sabina, Belladonna, China and Secale.
While on the topic of haemorrhage, I might mention the use of the homoeopathic remedy when a patient begins to bleed during the first few months of pregnancy. I find that very few remedies work. For this, I am not blaming the remedy, because I believe that most of these cases are inevitable abortions and eventually a D & C is necessary.
I would like to read of the experience of other men concerning this, because most of my cases, once they started to bleed, continued to do so until they were curetted. It may be that my prescribing in these cases is not good prescribing; however, I do not believe this to be the trouble here. Before I began to use homoeopathic remedies exclusively in obstetrics, I had occasion to use Progesterone in these cases. As far as I am concerned, this is worthless.
I honestly and sincerely believe that post partum haemorrhage, retained placenta, or any other complication following child birth is reduced to a minimum if the remedies are used during the prenatal and labor periods.
I am fortunate in owning Yinglings book, “The Accoucheurs Emergency Manual”. This book can be obtained through Ehrhart & Karl second hand. The preface and introduction are masterpieces and this book is worth its weight in gold. I would advise any one doing obstetrics to obtain this book.
In conclusion, I would like to repeat the following from Yinglings book, page 12. “Homoeopathy is the ONLY means whereby abnormal labor may be made as natural as the conditions and circumstances will permit. It will relieve suffering and produce normal uterine contractions, and enable the parturient woman to cheerfully bear the ordeal as no other means is capable of doing. It is wonderful, magical indeed, to observe the rapid action of the similimum in obstetrical practice. Let the physician be true to homoeopathy and homoeopathy will never fail him in an emergency”.
UNION CITY, N. J.
