Pregnancy & role of homeopathy

Consult your doctor once a month till you have completed 28 weeks of pregnancy. Then the visits will be scheduled once every fortnight till the 36th week of pregnancy. In the final stages of pregnancy, you will be required to see your doctor every week. It is important for you to not miss any of the appointments as the regular checkups carried out will give you a clearer picture of your state of health.

Consider the following requisites in every pregnancy cases

Family history.
Medical history.
Record of previous pregnancies.
Complications during pregnancy.

History of abortion or miscarriage.
Partner’s History & Mental /emotional status for healthy Baby ( Stress can lead to preterm labour and delivery)

Allow mothers to take prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins are supplements that provide for essential nutrients required during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, calcium and iron as these help in the development of the baby.

DIET IN PREGNANCY

Food Supplements
Foods those are rich in proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fatty acids. Such foods can be fruits and vegetable. Foods that are high on the unsaturated fat content should be avoided.
Eating in small portions is best during pregnancy as it helps in keeping the symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, heartburn and constipation.
- Also remember to include fresh fruit juices and deliciously healthy smoothies in your antenatal care diet.
  - Dehydration is extremely harmful for you and the growing foetus and it can give rise to complications.
  - Excessive caffeine intake can infact retard the growth of baby and also lead to pregnancy complications such as miscarriage. Quitting these habits will also help one lead a healthier lifestyle during pregnancy and the unborn child will benefit utmost from it.

1. Morning sickness : (Emesis gravidarum) Most women do experience some degree of nausea during pregnancy which gradually settles down soon after the end of first trimester. Sometimes the nausea is excessive and can be accompanied with excessive and persistent vomiting which calls for medical attention. Sharp and unpleasant odours and consumption of greasy and fried foods tend to aggravate it.

The sudden increase in the human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone in blood is attributed to it but the increased incidence in primigravidae points to the psychological aspect of the complaint. Normally these conditions do not call for any medical intervention. But if vomiting becomes excessive and leads to dehydration then it warrants urgent attention. (In cases with excessive vomiting-Hyperemesis gravidarum, there is no alternative to fluid transfusion to compensate the fluid loss)

Management:

The advice of consuming small frequent feeds avoiding spicy and greasy foods, and consuming a protein snack at night is recommended.
Munch a few crackers before getting up in the morning.
Eat several small meals a day so that stomach is never empty.
Avoid spicy, rich and fried foods when nauseated.
Drink plenty of liquids, especially if there is vomiting. Try crushed ice, fruit juice or frozen ice pops if water upsets stomach.

Sepia is reputed to be one of our best medicines for this trouble. Apomorphia 6 should be considered in obstinate cases.” Other common medicines are:

Arsenicum : Very great debility and exhaustion; vomiting of fluids as soon as she takes them. Very uneasy and restless.
Ipecac : There is constant sensation of nausea. Tongue is clean and there is profuse salivation and no thirst. Vomiting is of greenish fluid. There may be spasmodic colicky pain in the abdomen.
Kreosote : Obstinate cases of dyspepsia with great and constant nausea, without vomiting.
Symphoricarpus Racemosa : Useful in cases not relieved even after Ipecac.
Cuprum Ars : Constant nausea vomits everything, very weak. Spasmodic uterine pains.
Gossypium : Great Distress, Weakness and Prostration. Nausea particularly after breakfast. Has been useful in very bad cases. (Guernsey)

2. Heartburn : This common complaint is the result of reflux of acid contents of the stomach as a result of relaxation of oesophageal sphincter. Over eating, late eating and spicy foods contribute to the problem.

Management :

Pillows at bed time to prop her up and medicines can help in relieving the complaint.
Eat smaller meals more often, but eat slowly.
Eliminate heartburn triggers such as fatty or fried foods, alcohol, chocolate, pepermint, garlic, onion, caffeine.
Avoid coffee.
Don’t eat for 2-3 hours before going to bed, and raise the head of bed 4-6 inches. Reflux is worse when lying flat.

Homeopathic Medicines

Arsenicum Alb : Burning pain in stomach along with sensation of heaviness. Appetite is lost vomiting as soon as food reaches the stomach. Thirst for small quantity of cold water at frequent intervals. All the troubles are marked in first trimester
- Robinia
- Acid Sulp 30.
- Cajuputum 30.
- Nux vomica.
- Pulsatilla.