Paula, regarding the mom who wants to use arnica topically and orally on
herself and
newborn: Can she contact an experienced practitioner in her area?
Homeopathic 
remedies are generally safe - safer than allopathic medicines. But it is
possible that 
a remedy can aggravate a condition (remote chance, but it worries me when
the baby 
has a health problem) or more likely  that another remedy would be more
appropriate or
even that another remedy should be used in combination. For example, as a
*general* 
guideline, hypericum would fit some of the mom's symptoms. Arnica is a very
popular 
remedy but it isn't right for every sort of soreness or bruising.
Homeopathy differs so much from allopathic medicine in that one can
prescribe a remedy that fits the individual and their 
symptom, rather than just a prescibing from a diagnosis. A practitioner can
prescribe 
dosages more precisely (and therefore more effectively) than a book and
they can tell 
a patient what to look for in terms of healing. Thirty three stitches is so
far outside of an easy
birth. It would be great to see the mother comfortable as soon as possible.

I don't mean to sound like a grinch after reading the posts about how safe
remedies are - 
we use homeopathy extensively at home - but just like a doula, LC, midwife
or
ob/gyn, trained professionals can be of great assistance to mothers and
babes.

Sharon Starkston, LLLL, Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills, Illinois, USA
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