This book review is reprinted with the permission of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians
P.O. Box 21488, Portland, OR 97212
FAX:(503) 795-7320
e-mail: hanp@igc.apc.org

BOOK REVIEW THE HOMEOPATHIC CHILDBIRTH MANUAL: A Practical Guide for Labor, Birth and the Immediate Postpartum Period
by Betty Idarius, L.M., C.Hom
Idarius Press, Ukiah, CA
Reviewed by Nora Tallman N.D., L.M.

Betty Idarius has made a valuable contribution to the area of natural childbirth with The Homeopathic Childbirth Manual. She presents us with a well-organized book which I have found to be quite useful in the birth setting. She includes short repertories which are specific to various conditions such as "Postpartum Hemorrhage." These are very helpful in finding a remedy quickly when speed is essential. Her "Resources" section at the end seems well-researched and contains an excellent bibliography on the homeopathic literature that focuses on childbirth.

Ms. Idarius' background as a midwife and educator is evident in the emphasis she places on natural birth practices. The book is actually a midwifery manual which includes but is not limited to the use of homeopathy as a therapeutic tool. For example, the nine- page chapter on inducing labor only spends one page on useful homeopathic remedies. However, she does a very good job summarizing most of the other natural methods of induction, which might be useful for a beginning midwife.

If the book has a weakness, it lies in the attempt to serve too broad a sector of readers. She seems primarily to be writing to the general lay public with the intent of helping them to prescribe for laboring women. Her first three chapters are a good beginning introduction to the philosophy of Homeopathy and techniques of prescribing. Yet one wonders if this is adequate training to be competent in the rather difficult task of prescribing during a birth, particularly concerning emergency situations. If she is addressing birth attendants who are experienced homeopaths, some of the chapters seem a bit superficial. The wonderful exceptions to this- which make this book valuable even for the experienced homeopathic midwife- are the chapters on dysfunctional labor, postpartum hemorrhage, retained placenta, and respiratory distress of the newborn. Her descriptions of the remedies in these chapters are about laboring women and newborn babies. Any homeopath can read about a remedy in the materia medica, but we need to understand how a remedy manifests in labor and delivery. This is where Ms. Idarius has done something special.

Throughout the book there is an attitude about childbirth which radiates respect and wonder. Her manual will help bring about an increased recognition of the valuable contribution homeopathy can make to the miraculous event of birth.

[The Homeopathic Childbirth Manual: A Practical Guide for Labor, Birth and the Immediate Postpartum Period, by Betty Idarius, L.M., C.Hom., is available from: Idarius Press, 2-B Lorraine St., Ukiah, CA, 95482, (707) 463-3739. $14.95 plus $3.00 shipping to the U.S. and Canada, $4.00 shipping to all other countries. Include 7.25% sales tax if shipped to a California address.] Also available from Minimum Price Books.

Fall 1997 Volume X No. 3 / SIMILLIMUM