IN a normal state of social life, pregnancy would be a condition comparatively exempt from suffering. In consequence, however, of disorders induced by artificial habits, the excessive use of drugs, constitutional diseases, or accidental causes, this condition is too often accompanied by departures from health; some of which we shall describe in the following pages, together with the best means for their prevention and removal. We take them in the following order – those which affect the nervous, the circulatory, digestive, the urinary, and generative systems. According to this arrangement, the first on our list is, –
30. MELANCHOLY, FEAR ETC.
Fear, anger, joy, grief, and other emotional disturbances, operate powerfully upon the heightened susceptibility of the pregnant state, and unless moderated or removed may affect both the mother and child unfavourably. A morbid dread, causing the sufferer to view events through a darkened and disordered medium, is liable to produce trembling of the body, weakness of the limbs, alarming dreams, nightmare, nervous irritability, leading her to despair of life, and even to wish that it were extinct. Injudicious friends often aggravate this morbid state, by recounting accidents and unpropitious results of pregnancy which probably never occurred. Such thoughtlessness cannot be too strongly condemned. The statements are almost always untrue, but they may appear so real to the patient as to operate powerfully on her mind, and thus produce the most serious results.
MEDICAL TREATMENT – Cimicifuga – Melancholic depression, jealousy, nervous weakness, weariness, and restlessness; sleeplessness, or sleep with distressing dreams; pains in the left side, under the breast, in the back, etc.
Ignatia – Inconstant, irresolute, impatient disposition; alternate sadness and gaiety; depression of spirits, the patient frequently weeping without cause; acute sensitiveness; sensation as of a ball rising in the throat, and other hysteric symptoms.
Platina – Extreme depression, even to the fear of death, with anguish about the heart, Hysteria, etc.
Pulsatilla – Weeping mood, headache, heartburn, uneasy feeling at the pit of the stomach, and oppression of the mind by numerous cares.
Aconite, Sepia, Hyoscyamus, Chamomilla, Opi., or Coffea, may also be required in some cases.
ACCESSORY MEANS – Useful occupation, combined with suitable out- of-door recreation or games; cheerful company or books; change of air and scene, or easy journeys to favourite or novel places of interest.
31. FAINTING AND HYSTERICAL FITS
These are not infrequent accompaniments of pregnancy except at the period of quickening, and in weekly and delicate females. The fits are far from being serious except when associated with organic disease of the heart. If they occur towards the end of pregnancy, they may render convalescence after parturition more tedious than it would otherwise be. They are also unpleasant occurrences at the time of labour.
SYMPTOMS – These differ from epileptic fits, as there is no choking noise in the throat, or biting of the tongue. There is a sensation of languor, with disposition to yawn; things appear to turn round; the sight becomes dim, the face pale, and there is a buzzing or ringing in the ears; the patient sighs and becomes partially insensible.
CAUSES – Heightened impressionability of the nervous system from debilitating causes, as Neuralgia, prolonged sleeplessness, Diarrhoea, or other discharges; anger or fright. Tight dresses, crowded and badly ventilated sitting rooms, churches, theatres, ballrooms, etc., are frequent exciting causes. When fainting occurs soon after labour, it may rise from haemorrhage, and requires prompt and skilful treatment (See “Flooding after Delivery.”)
MEDICAL TREATMENT –
Camphor – May be administered during a fit, either by olfaction, or by giving two drops of the strong tincture on a small piece of loaf-sugar.
China – Faintness from exercise, profuse losses of blood. Diarrhoea, perspiration etc.
Digitalis – This alone is sufficient to restore the patient if the fainting be attended with feebleness of the heart.
Iodium – For the constitutional debility, of which the tendency to faint is a symptom.
Moschus may be administered during a fit, either by giving two drops of dilution in a teaspoonful of water, or by olfaction, a bottle of the tincture being held to the nose.
Opium – When fainting has been brought on by fright. Verbascum-Vir., Chamomilla, Ignatia, Pulsatilla, Cimic., etc., are suited to the hysterical fits in certain conditions.
ADMINISTRATION – During a fit, a dose every ten or fifteen minutes; afterwards, every four or eight hours.
ACCESSORY MEANS – During a hysteric fit, cold water may be dashed on the face. For a simple fainting fit, the patient should be laid down, with the head and shoulders slight raised, abundance of air admitted to the room, and quiet maintained. Camphor, Eau-de-Cologne, Moschus, salts of Ammonia, etc., may be applied to the nostrils. If the extremities are cold, artificial warmth may be necessary. The exciting cause must, as far as possible, removed; when this is a tight dress, or a too hot or badly ventilated room, removal of the cause is generally sufficient. If fainting arises from constitutional conditions, professional treatment is necessary.
32. – HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, ETC.
These are sometimes most distressing concomitants of pregnancy. There are acute digestion, with throbbing, dimness of sight, confusion of ideas and great heat of the head and face, with dizziness, intolerance of light and sound, etc. Or the face may be pale, cool, and the eyes heavy and languid. There may also a feeling of weight on the top of the head or the back of the neck, palpitation, nervous tremblings a disposition to fall forward, variable or diminished appetite, gastric derangements, etc.
MEDICAL TREATMENT :-
Aconitum – Giddiness on rising from recumbent posture, heavy, oppressive pains on the top of the head of in the forehead, redness of the eyes, dry burning skin, hard frequent pulse, scanty urine, etc. Especially suitable for florid patients of nervous temperament.
Belladonna – Violent congestive headaches, with staggering, buzzing in the ears, throbbing of the arteries of the temples and neck, scarlet redness of the face, sparks before the eyes, pains in the orbits, double vision, confusion of ideas, intolerance of light etc. The symptoms are worse in the morning, and there is disinclination to move.
Bryonia – Beating in the forehead, giddiness sense of weight and fulness, as if the brain would press through the forehead on stooping. This headache is often accompanied by indigestion, constipation, sometimes bleeding from the nose, rheumatic pains, etc.
Cimicifuga – Nervous, hysterical headache; pulsative; severe aching pain in the eyeballs; pressure in the occipital region from within outwards; absence of gastric disturbance.
Gelsemium – Headache with feverishness; giddiness, heavy eyelids, temporary blindness, heat of the face and body; intermittent pulse; strong palpitation; oppression of the chest.
Glonoine – Throbbing of the arteries of the head; dizziness; sensation of a tight band around the head; full rapid pulse; cursing, jerking, maddening pulse; hot, injected eyes, with flashes of light.
Nux Vomica – Congestive headache waking the patient early in the morning, worse after eating, aching as if the head would split, stupefaction, etc., often associated with constipation, nausea, etc., sometimes commencing with dazzling of the light and increased by coughing or stooping. Nux Vom. is especially suited to headache from over-eating, or too late eating at night, from alcoholic beverages, or from sedentary habits.
Pulsatilla, Ignatia, Ipecac., Iris., Cocc., Sepia, Platina, etc., may also be considered.
ACCESSORY MEANS – In congestive headache the feet should be kept warm, and when cold, hot applications should be made to them. In headache from gastric derangements, free vomiting often given relief; to promote which, if necessary, a tumbler of warm water with a teaspoonful of mustard mixed in it may be taken. In neuralgic headache hot dry flannels around the head, or a handkerchief tied tightly, is often palliative. If the feet are cold, a hot brick or bottle should be applied.
PREVENTIVE TREATMENT – Early hours, to obviate as far as possible the use of artificial light, heated rooms, etc.; the cold bath, with plenty of friction, in a well-ventilated room, every morning on rising; regular daily open-air recreation; domestic duties and anxieties should only be permitted to exercise a moderate influence, the patient aiming to live a tranquil and agreeable life; regularity or moderation in eating and drinking, avoiding eating in a hurry, taking suppers, stimulating food and drinks, especially spirits, strong tea, coffee., etc. The regular function of the bowels should be promoted by observing the directions in the Section on “Constipation.”
33. TOOTHACHE OR FACEACHE
The toothache of pregnancy is a Neuralgia, from which some women begin to suffer soon after conception, and even recognise their condition by this symptom. It is, however, liable to happen at any period during pregnancy. The pain may attack one or more decayed or not quite sound teeth, or it may extend along the jaw without affecting any tooth in particular. It is sometimes so intense as to render the patient temporarily delirious. Extraction of teeth is seldom advisable, as homoeopathic treatment will generally remove the pain. A qualified dentist, indeed usually refuses to remove them for this cause, where it exists alone. Besides, patients of nervous sensibility, or who have a tendency to Miscarriage are in a danger of abortion from the fear of shock of extraction.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."