reviewed by
Chris Kurz
Gossypium is an excellent remedy to keep in mind for failure to progress in labor when symptoms match.

These [five] repertories enhance the usefulness of the book immensely and are a big help in homing in on the right remedy quickly.

Betty Idarius is a midwife and has facilitated the birth of untold numbers of babies. The Homeopathic Childbirth Manual's dedication, "…to midwives everywhere and the women they serve who continue to keep the wisdom of birth alive," as much as every line of her book shows her experience, caring, and respect.

The first three chapters, 21 pages in all, are a quick jump start for the beginner. They tell the reader what homeopathy is and how remedies are to be used. There are no surprises here, just the advice any classical homeopath would agree to. Notable is a list of remedies, which Idarius recommends should be in the homeopathic birthing kit - all in all 45. She grades them á la Kent, in three grades, according to how indispensable the remedy is. Listed in the highest grade are: Aconitum, Antimonium tartaricum, Arnica, Arsenicum, Calendula, Calendula Tincture, Caulophyllum, Cimicifuga, Hypericum, Kalium phosphoricum, and Rescue Remedy. Some of the less obvious ones are Cinnamonum, Trillium, Gossypium, or Ustilago. Lest the reader die of curiosity, let me quote two sections which describe the use of Gossypium:

Gossypium is an excellent remedy to keep in mind for failure to progress in labor when symptoms match. The Gossypium woman's contractions tend to remain very weak, very mild, and almost painless no matter what is tried. She does not have to stop what she is doing during a contraction. The labor lingers and does not progress. Her cervical os is thick and rigid, and does not dilate. She is emotionally stable, but becomes extremely weak and tired from only a small number of contractions. There may be nausea from the small contractions.

This is the main remedy for placenta accreta, where the placenta is firmly attached to the walls of the uterus and will not detach. Also think of it for a retained placenta after premature delivery when the placenta will not detach, no matter what is done. No amount of force seems sufficient to dislodge it.

The main part of the Manual then discusses a variety of common issues and possible complications, ranging from labor to postnatal care of the mother as well as the baby. I am a big fan of letting the body deal with a situation by itself first, before intervening - be it homeopathically or otherwise. Idarius seems to share my views here, since she first describes ways in which one can help without resorting to remedies of any kind. Most chapters then discuss a variety of remedies commonly helpful in the particular situation. I found the remedy choices well considered, and each remedy thoughtfully presented and differentiated from the others. Under the heading "first remedies to consider," the reader gets quick information in case an urgent situation arises.

All in all there are five short repertories, dealing specifically with difficult labor, malposition, postpartum hemorrhage, retained placenta, and the care of the newborn, respectively. These repertories enhance the usefulness of the book immensely and are a big help in homing in on the right remedy quickly. I am very cautious when information is simplified beyond the point of being useful, but I found that Idarius stroke a good balance in this respect.

Since, as after reading any good book, the reader will likely have more questions, there is a resource section and index provided at the end. Here I found a fairly complete list of 10 other books dealing with homeopathy and birth/childcare, as well as a slew of orthodox medical childbirth references, and several self-care homeopathy books. Sources for ordering the books, homeopathic pharmacies and organizations, and midwife organizations round out the resource section.

So would I buy this book, you ask? Yes, I can say that without hesitation. It should not, and hopefully will not, be the only book on this subject you ever read, because no book can lay claim on being compleat. Idarius herself suggests further reading in the resource section, certainly good advice. I found the book a valuable resource and a quick reference for someone who already has experience with homeopathic acute prescribing - possibly a midwife, or nurse. Ideally, it should be used under the tutelage or guidance of a professional homeopath. The best prenatal care, in my opinion, is still a thorough and well grounded constitutional treatment. This, of course, is not covered in the book.

The Homeopathic Childbirth Manual is available from :
Betty Idarius
2-B Lorraine St.
Ukiah, CA 95482
USA
at the price of $14.95 + shipping and handling.