Homeopathy inPregnancy

Elizabeth Moore

Antepartum

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

History of Homeopathy

Hippocrates

In ancient times, the Greek physician Hippocrates, the Father of Western Medicine, taught that cures could be achieved by Similars or Opposites, and Similars were preferred.

Paracelsus

Paracelsus, a Swiss physician in the 16th century, believed that disease was mainly caused by external factors, and that nature would provide cures.

“Paracelsus planted the acorn from which the mighty oak of homeopathy has grown.”

Compton Burnett, 19th century homeopath/author

Samuel Christian Hahnemann

In the 18th century, most common medical practices were, at best, not helpful.

Treatments included bloodletting and ingestion of harmful substances, including heavy metals.

Samuel Hahnemann was a German doctor who advocated novel ideas, like fresh air, good nutrition, and physical exercise.

Doctor Hahnemann did extensive testing on himself and others, thereby developing Homeopathy. His testing proved that tiny amounts of that which CAUSES an ailment will also CURE it.

Homeo = SimilarPathos = Suffering

By 1810, the doctor had published two books on the subject

of homeopathy, and was teaching at the University of Leipzeg.

Hahnemann developed over 100 homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy in the 19th Century

Doctors Constantine Hering and James Tyler Kent were in the forefront of bringing homeopathy to the United States.

These new ideas had spread from Europe to North America.

Homeopathic clinics and hospitals spread all over America

20th Century Changes

By the end of the 19th century, 15% of all doctors were practicing homeopathy

The formation of the AMA in American medicine led to a near monopoly in types of medical care available. Homeopathy was not in favor with this new medical standard of care.

Some places such as central Europe, never discontinued the use of homeopathy among medical practitioners.

Modern Homeopathy

Homeopathy, along with other more traditional healing modalities, began to be re-examined in the 1960-70s

There is currently believed to be over a million practitioners of homeopathy in the U.S., although many are unlicensed.

Practitioners include naturopaths, chiropractors, D.O.s, and midwives.

EDUCATION for HOMEOPATHY

Self Study

There are many ways available for students to learn about homeopathy through self-study.

The National Center for Homeopathy is a good source for learning sites and schools.

Healing Way Homeopathy in Appleton offers a on-line course.

http://www.healingwayhomeopathy.com/

Formal Education for Homeopathy

Training in homeopathy is offered as part of the training for many holistic health practitioners (D.O., N.D.)

The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges is one resource for this type of training.

Certification and Licensing

No licensure is available in Wisconsin for homeopaths.

Various types of certification are available, however. American Board of Homeotherapeutics: for

practitioners such as M.D.s, N.D.s and P.A.s Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic

Physicians: certifies naturopaths (N.D.s) Council for Homeopathic Certification: for

classical homeopaths

Education for Midwives

Along with the previous paths of study, many midwives learn about homeopathy from their preceptors, senior midwives, and/or in school.

Some good books for midwives include: Natural Healing in Gynecology by Rina Nissim Homeopathy for Midwives by Barbara Geraghty

Both Available from Amazon

Homeopathy Kits for Midwives

I found two kits online, both for midwifery use of homeopathics.

Precious Arrows offers a 200C Remedy Kit by Washington Homeopathics this includes plastic vials of 50 remedies, with an instructional pamphlet, in a carrying case

Everything Birth offers a kit of “Established nurse-midwife M.J. Hanafin's selection of 27 remedies in 200C for minimizing risk and trauma of childbirth.”

British Study

Ina study among the clients of British midwives, pregnant women were given a kit of homeopathic remedies, with instructions for using in pregnancy and labor.

Both the women and their partners expressed positive thoughts on this usage. A similar idea might prove useful among the Amish

community.

Consultation and Referral

The Wisconsin Rules and Regulations for Licensed Midwives has no specific mentions or guidelines on the usage of these non-prescription remedies.

I would seek consultation and/or referral for anything outside my scope of practice, or any condition that was worsening and/or not responding to any care I was giving, including homeopathy.

Usage during Pregnancy and Labor

There are a great number of uses for homeopathic remedies during these times, and on into breastfeeding.

The remedies take into consideration more than just the main symptom

Labor pains: not only would the pain itself be noted, but more specific information would indicate what remedy to use. For example, labor pains with a constant need for comfort and/or sympathy would indicate Pulsatilla as the correct homeopathic remedy.

Some more info…

The remedies are available as tablets, soft tablets (melt in the mouth), pillules (small hard pills), and powders ( for higher dose remedies, contained in paper).

Main potencies are denoted by x, c, and m. x is one part mother tincture in nine drops of water c is one part in 99 drops of water m is one part in 999 drops of water Keep the remedies in cool places (not the refrigerator,

though!) and away from anything with strong odors.

Quiz Time!

1. What does the word “Homeopathy” mean?

2. Does the state of Wisconsin have a license available for a Homeopath?

Answers

1. Greek for HOMEO = Similar

PATHOS = Suffering

2. No. No licensure is available here for someone who is only a homeopath.

References

200C Remedy Kit by Washington Homeopathics. (n.d.).

preciousarrows.com. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from

http://www.preciousarrows.com/200C_Remedy_Kit_by_

Washington_Homeopathics_p/39088.htm

Calvert, J., & Steen, M. (2007). Homeopathic remedies for self-

administration during childbirth. British Journal of

Midwifery , 15(3), 159-165. Retrieved September 27,

2013, from the EBSCOhost database.

Calvert, J., & Steen, M. (2007). Self-administered homeopathy

part two: a follow-up study. British journal of midwifery,

15(6), 359-365. Retrieved September 27, 2013, from the

EBSCOhost database.

Everything Birth | From Midwifery to Birth Supplies: Hyland's

Homeopathic Remedy Chest. (n.d.). Everything Birth |

From Midwifery to Birth Supplies. Retrieved September

26, 2013, from http://www.everythingbirth.com/Hylands-

Homeopathic-Remedies-Chest-HYL2100.html

Lockie, A. (2006). Encyclopedia of homeopathy (Updated ed.).

London: D. Kindersley Pub..

Nissim, R. (1996). Natural healing in gynaecology a manual for

women. Hammersmith, London: HarperCollins.

Slaine, K. (n.d.). Homeopathic Practice in the U.S. :

Homeopathy Past and Present : Hpathy.com. Homeopathy

Medicine for Everyone: Homeopathic Remedies &

Homeopathy Treatment. Retrieved September 29, 2013,

from

http://hpathy.com/past-present/homeopathic-practice-in-the-u-s

/Speight, P. (1985). Homoeopathic remedies for women's ailments. Saffron Walden: Health Science Press.Standards of practice. (n.d.). Department of regulation and licensing. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from http://wisconsinguildofmidwives.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/rl182.pdf

Standards of practice. (n.d.). Department of regulation and

licensing. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from

http://wisconsinguildofmidwives.files.wordpress.com/201

3/07/rl182.pdf

Sullivan, D. L. (2001). The expectant mother's guide to

prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, home

remedies, and herbal products. New York: St. Martin's

Griffin.

Zimmerman, K. (2012). Basics of Homeopathy: Treatment

options in pregnancy. International Journal of Childbirth

Educators, 27(3), 21-25. Retrieved September 25, 2013,

from the EBSCOhost database.

 Healing Way Homeopathy - HealingWay-Home. (n.d.).

 Healing Way Homeopathy - HealingWay-Home.

Retrieved September 28, 2013, from

http://www.healingwayhomeopathy.com/