Recovering from a Shocking Hemorrhage, Part 2/4
Important, read first: This article was written to teach homebirth midwives and other birth professionals about effective naturopathic responses to excessive blood loss in childbirth. If that’s not you, this frank discussion may be alarming. It’s not gory or anything, but I would normally protect pregnant clients from doing a deep dive (and getting the mental imprint) on such a topic, unless they had a past event and needed this info. But I’m old-fashioned that way. On the other hand, since women who’ve hemorrhaged in hospital births are often sent home with very little guidance and a prescription for constipating iron, this info is desperately needed out in the world!
Full article first appeared in Midwifery Today, Issue 132, Winter 2019.
Recovery Protocol
Immediately use as many of these components as you have and which the situation can tolerate, and then decrease over the first days and weeks.
Ferrum Phos 6X. The homeopathic tissue salt of iron. Homeopathic dosing is typically 3–5 pellets under the tongue, ideally in a clean mouth. Consider dosing every 10 minutes in the first hour, hourly in the first day, and 3x/day in the first weeks. The 6X combines a micro-dose of iron with the homeopathic frequency of iron, stimulating the body to increase its affinity and rebalancing of the mineral.
Homeopathic Arnica. This is the #1 remedy for physical trauma, bleeding, overall bruised feeling, and state of shock with dazed appearance. This is a remedy that can be used first, and often, dosing as above.
Homeopathic Phosphorous, especially if there was “bright red bleeding, after a difficult labor.” Acute conditions often do best with a higher dose, such as 200C, but if 12X or 30C is what is on hand, use it. Most mothers would benefit from a single dose in the immediate aftermath. Up to three doses may be used during the emergency, although if it hasn’t helped after two, I’ve usually moved on.
Homeopathic Aconite, for a “sudden, shocking, frightful” experience, especially if it brought “fear of death.” Dosing is the same as above—keep this one in mind for baby post birth, also. Use on either of them if they have a “deer in headlights” look about them; it can be used anytime, including later in the postpartum period, as they work through fear or memories.
Rescue Remedy or 5 Flower Remedy, several drops in mouth or water, even topically on baby’s head or mother’s body. Administer also to any bystander/responder shaken up from the bleed. These flower remedies work on the emotional plane, are highly diluted just like homeopathics, and are safe for anyone, including a newborn. Use liberally and frequently.
Homeopathic Bio-Plasma. Three or four pellets can be added to any fluid or administered directly by mouth, frequently in the first hour, several times daily in the first week or two. Bio-plasma is a blend of all 12 micro-mineral 6X tissue salt combos. It’s a must-have for any holistic birth bag, to help restore mineral imbalances in the body—it’s inexpensive, lasts indefinitely, needs no refrigeration, and is lightweight in your bag. Use anytime an electrolyte effect is needed, not only in cases of blood loss but also in extreme conditions of vomiting or diarrhea.
Sweet warm liquids to be sipped, which will raise mother’s blood sugar, hydrate her body, and, in moderate amounts, seem to help her “get back in her body” after feeling woozy.
One or two tablespoons blackstrap molasses stirred in a cup of hot water. This is hands-down the cheapest, most effective, and most easily available home remedy for absorbable iron. One tablespoon has about 3–4 mg of iron. Since prescription iron is synthetic and typically has only a 10% absorption rate, don’t be discouraged by the low concentration.
Herbal infusions can be made routinely as part of birth setup. Per cup of simmering water, add 1–2 tablespoons each of shepherd’s purse (high in vitamin K), nettle (high in absorbable iron), fenugreek (comforting taste and for digestion), red raspberry (uterine toner and contains manganese, the bonding mineral), and a cinnamon stick (warming, bracing, and with anti-bleed qualities of its own). After a few minutes of simmering, leave covered and off the heat to steep.
When needed, strain and liberally add honey (or sugar), which will raise blood sugar, feed the uterus to contract more vigorously, and restore the “sweetness of life.” Doulas could even educate their clients about bringing “honey sticks” to their hospital births.
1–2 tablespoons of liquid chlorophyll in a small glass of room-temperature water. Chlorophyll’s molecule is very similar to that of blood, with a center of magnesium instead of iron. Naturopaths have long taught that it’s easy for the body to switch out the magnesium for iron, supporting a faster blood restoration. This certainly has seemed true in practice.
Note: We’ve learned to go slow on the volume of liquid orally. There’s only so much liquid that the postpartum stomach can absorb at once, and too much tends to make people feel “sloshy” and nauseous.
Food-based liquid iron such as Floradix or Gia brands. When compared to synthetic/Rx iron, liquid iron from food sources or delivered with iron-rich herbs has a greater absorption rate, stimulates less nausea, and almost never brings constipation. Give 1–2 tablespoons by mouth or in fluids, even hourly, for a few doses in the beginning.
Placenta as medicine. Placenta is a valuable asset during and after a hemorrhage for its hormonal effects on uterine tone and blood loss. A small chunk may be used immediately, added raw to a fruit smoothie or placed between mom’s gum and cheek. Placenta may be later encapsulated, tinctured, or frozen in small pieces for postpartum use. There is little research at this time, but lots of anecdotal stories of benefits, with a few concerns. This is a good place to do your own research, with an open mind; the mother is likely to have her own strong preference.
Have someone quietly hold the soles of her feet with the palms of their hands. Mothers nearly always visibly perk up and invariably remark on how much better they feel after this grounding work: “Don’t let go!” This is a great job for a new apprentice, a determined grandma, or a doula in a hospital setting. They may expand the positive effects by visualizing their own feet extending like roots of a tree deep into the earth, breathing deeply and evenly, and silently praying, if this is their way.
Visualization. Give guided suggestions focusing on “What color is your uterus right now?” And then, “What color is it when your uterus is firm and safe, and you have just the right amount of healthy blood in your body?” Then quietly coach her to imagine shifting from the first color to the second color; there is no right answer. The answer is hers. One time in the ambulance, a mom had another big gush and again became ashen and faint. While the EMT raced to establish the IV, we resumed uterine compression and visualization out loud. In less than 90 seconds, color began to so obviously rush to her cheeks and lips that the EMT remarked, “Wow, the IV isn’t even in yet!”
Cranial-sacral contact. Even without training, calm hands that simultaneously make gentle contact with the base of her neck and base of her spine will be grounding.
Judicious use of high-quality essential oils can support her in becoming more stable; resist the urge to over-scent the mother, baby or room. Research has shown that frankincense crosses the blood-brain barrier and oxygenates the brain, in addition to its sacred role of supporting transitions like birth into life. A single drop may be applied to the soles of mom’s feet, or the base of her skull or spine. My other favorite for stabilizing mothers is the original Valor blend from Young Living Oils; it seems to strengthen their energetic backbone and bring back the brightness to their eyes.
In the first minutes and hours, you’ll know you’re on the road to success when her color returns, her voice strengthens, and she regains her ability to carry on a bit of a conversation.