has anyone used arnica for healing after labour?

starlite_2

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_4

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_2

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.

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_2

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_2

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.