The Use of Bach Flower Remedies During Pregnancy and Childbirth

Bach Flower Remedies are useful for pregnant mothers, childbirth, and newborns. The Bach remedies are created from flower essences to treat emotional states that Dr. Bach believed were the initiating causes of disease. A different plant is used to treat each of 38 different feelings. The remedies are made by infusions of wild plants and prepared in homeopathic doses.

While intended to be used to treat imbalances, and pregnancy is not an imbalance, the remedies can be used to soothe and nurture a woman during the childbearing period. Dr. Bach felt that negative thoughts and feelings from the mother affected the child in utero so that using his remedies made for a happy mother as well as a happy baby. Though the remedies are known to act gently, consult your health practitioner before beginning any herbal protocol.

The Bach Flower Remedy made from Walnut is considered the most common and basic remedy used during pregnancy. The person needing Walnut is in a state of oversensitivity, which is a typical state during pregnancy. Walnut protects the mother and soothes the anxiety caused by sensory overload. Walnut also helps in adjusting to changes, and certainly childbirth and parenting will bring many changes. The remedy can also help other family members adjust to the change in the household.

Rescue Remedy is a combination of the plants Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, and Clematis. Mostly used as an emergency remedy, Rescue Remedy can also be used during pregnancy. It can alleviate anxiety and fears and restore a state of calm. The remedy can be used internally or externally, applied directly to the mother’s belly, or the wrists. It is also recommended for use during labor. Rescue remedy in cream form is useful to heal traumatized tissue and even for diaper rash.

Mimulus is a remedy for fear. It is useful if the mother is fearful during the pregnancy, either for the health of the child or about the delivery itself. Other remedies for fear of delivery are Rock Rose and Rescue Remedy. Mimulus can also soothe an infant who startles easily or one who is afraid of the dark.

Rock Rose is the remedy to use when the feeling is loss of control, or being frozen from fear, due to an urgent emergency. Rock Rose is also a good remedy to use after a nightmare.

Aspen treats the fear that something terrible is going to happen, especially when the fear is of something unknown. This is a common emotion during pregnancy and the early months of learning how to parent.

Cerato has a similar indicator—not trusting your own judgment. With the new experience of pregnancy, some women will begin to distrust their own sense of what to do. Women have been having babies since Eve, and have known, or figured out, how to handle the normal process of childbearing. If that inner voice is silenced, Cerato can help it to return.

Olive treats exhaustion.  During labor, if the physical stamina is drained, Olive can bring new strength and determination to the laboring mother.

Elm is for the feeling of being overwhelmed. With a new baby comes new responsibilities and the tasks can seem daunting. Elm helps restore the balance to the feeling that you can’t get it all done.

Impatiens is for the treating impatience during labor or a general sense of irritability.

White Chestnut treats sleeplessness and will aid a new mother to sleep when her mind is filled with thoughts.

And if a new baby comes along, the older sibling might benefit from a dose of Holly, to help with the feelings of jealousy.

Bach remedies known to help with morning sickness include both Crab Apple and Rescue Remedy.

Bach flower remedies are prepared with wild flowers and spring water. Using only grape brandy as a preservative, the remedies have been made by hand in England since the 1930s.