has anyone used arnica for healing after labour?

[starlite]

I have read a little about the benefits of using arnica to aid recover after birth.
I am wondering if anyone has used this, and if they would reccomend it?
And is it best to use pills or topical cream? I'm not sure how much i'll want to be messing putting cream on the - ahem- affected areas soon after.

[Jay-Jay]

I used the little pills after my first baby and I really felt that they helped with the stitches and bruising.


I was told to take LOADS at first (like 6 an hour or something ridiculous) but I felt that after 24 hours they had significantly improved the discomfort.

[starlite]

thanks for that..did you start taking them before the birth or immediately afterwards?

[Ted_Hutchinson]

effect of the homeopathic remedies Arnica montana and Bellis perennis on mild postpartum bleeding--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study--preliminary results. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16036165&query_hl=20)

Treatment with homeopathic Arnica montana and Bellis perennis may reduce postpartum blood loss, as compared with placebo.

It looks like there is some scientific support for this. I think pills were used for this trial.

[skintchick]

I took mine for two weeks before my, ahem, boob job, and had NO BRUISING visible at all.

Still hurt like hell though!

[starlite]

He he..I can imagine! I'm up for trying anything to aid my recovery..
I remember visiting my friend post birth and she said she'd spent a week sitting on a rubber ring!

[gkf]

I had some surgery 19 days ago and my scar is not healing, I have had a weeks course of antibiotics and it isn't infected now, but has anyone got any suggestions if arnica would now help to speed up the healing, or anything else?

[maybird]

I used arnica before and after two lots of surgery (one lot was major!) and on both occasions nursing staff commented on how little blood loss/bruising there was. It can't do any harm, so I would recommend it. Drink pineapple juice too. The bromelain is also good at reducing blood loss.

[KayEdwards]

I would say eat lots of good food, reduce caffeine intake, get lots of rest and above all don't smoke as that severely slows healing. Don't be touching it at all - hands are not meant to touch wounds, and don't wear any clothing that will irritate the scar.

Is it all closed up? Or do you have any gaps? Is there any moisture coming from inside it?

Kay

[gkf]

thanks for replies, I drink decaffinated tea and if I have coffee, only decaff. I don't smoke, am not touching wound. My consultant recommended honey (the latest thing to promote healing) as it keeps wound moist and helps healing so that is what I am putting on each day and redressing. Wound has closed up in places, consultant has said to expect it to stay open for a bit before it closes, it is still a bit moist. It isn't getting any worse, just not getting any better I feel. I am away on holiday in 19 days and don't want to be dressing a wound on holiday :(

[KayEdwards]

Just thought I would mention that the honey you buy in a jar is not the same honey that is used in wound healing. That is manuka honey that you can buy in health food shops but it shouldn't be necessary for a surgical wound that is no longer infected. The best way to heal a surgical wound is leave it alone and keep it dray plus the above hints. The constant washing off honey and reapplying new honey layer will be taking off all the newly growing cells too.

[gkf]

I bought the proper medi-honey, but my consultant said ordinary honey is just the same.......... On the day that I was having it redressed I didn't put any honey on, but the wound felt tight and the dressing stuck to it :( It does feel more comfortable with the honey on, but I would like to see a bit of progress with the healing.

[KayEdwards]

When using honey it must be menuka honey - done research into this as part of my nursing course. there then must be a non-adherant layer before you put the dressing on, or a non adherant dressing top layer. Most consultants don't have a clue about healing wounds unless they are plastic surgeons - so do be careful at taking their advice. I had mastectomies a few months back and can confirm leaving alone resulted in fast healing. it will be slower in your case because of the infection, will still be slowing the healing rate and you just have to be patient. Leaving alone will also reduce the resulting scarring.

Sorry - I know how impatient you must be.

[KayEdwards]

Forgive me - I meant to say I hope all went well with the birth of your baby and that he/she is doing well. x

[Pink-winged]

I didn't use arnica when I had the first two, but did use it (pills) with the third baby....the difference was amazing!

Pink

[Mandles]

I tried everything (even leaving it alone )but the only thing that worked was honey .100% recommend it!!

[gkf]

It was a plastic surgeon that recommended the honey, do I really need to get the menuka honey would you say then? Thanks for your tips, I really appreciate them. I am going to get some pineapple juice tomorrow, also read that 2000 milligrams of Vitamin C help wound healing.

[starlite]

So..I am stilll confused...sounds like arnica wil do great things, but do i take it in the weeks before the due date or just wait till afterwards?

[Squidgy]

Starlite

I used arnica cream AFTER giving birth to my first child. Just make sure your hands are clean and dab on to all the sore bits!!! I used the cream as at the time I didn't know there were tablets as well. I will be using the cream this time aswell (I have some in my labour bag already!) as I don't particularly like taking tablets.

I would also say not to wear any plastic backed maternity / sanitary towels after the birth if you have stitches as for some reason it tends to "draw" on them and ends up making you feel as if the bottom is falling out of your life!!!

Salt baths are really good to promote healing too. Just chuck in a load - doesn't matter how much you use.

HTH
Squidgy

[Nikki]

Afterwards. Hadn't discovered the benefits of arnica until long after having kids, but took them after my boob job and had no bruising, swelling or pain! Just as well with 3 kids to look after. Arnica gel is also v.handy to keep around when you have kids fab on bruises.

[Petal]

I can't quite remember but I'm pretty sure my midwife told me to start taking them (tabs) as soon as you go into labour (if you can remember!) :D