This book review is reprinted from the New England Journal of Homeopathy with the permission of Amy Rothenberg, ND, DHANP.
New England School of Homeopathy
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The Homeopathic Childbirth Manual.- A Practical Guide for Labor, Birth, and the Immediate Post Partum Period.
By Betty Idarius, LM, CHom
Reviewed by Judyth Reichenberg- Ullman, ND, DHANP

There are very few skilled homeopaths who also have extensive experience in midwifery. Betty Idarius, a midwife and counselor, has been working with pregnant women for the past twenty years. A recent graduate of The Pacific Academy of Homeopathic Medicine, Betty completed this book as part of her graduation requirement. The homeopathic community has long been in need of a clear, concise, practical manual of treatment for labor, birth, and postpartum. Here it is!

The nurturing, encouraging preface sets a positive, empowering tone for the rest of the book.(As any good midwife does for her patient in the early stages of labor! ed.) This book is very well-organized and designed. The cover of mother and baby gazing into each other's eyes is delightful. The book is easy to read and the instructions for using the remedies are very clear. There is a nice balance between narrative, materia medica and a mini- repertory for each condition.

A few points of constructive criticism:

1) The explanation of each woman needing one particular remedy to match her state is very compelling. What, then, is the explanation for using a protocol of Caulophylum alternating with Cimicifuga to bring on labor? It sounds like the author has used this protocol quite successfully, but it would be helpful to explain why this deviates from the use of one, single remedy that fits the state of the woman.

2) This book seems like it would be most useful for midwives or other health care professionals. Although the tone is friendly and explanatory, the information is sophisticated. A chapter or note about who could best use this book would seem to be of benefit.

3) I hope the future editions, as the author becomes as seasoned a homeopath as she is a midwife, will contain more cases.

This book is a brilliant graduation project and a significant contribution to the homeopathic literature. I am sure that it will save many a laboring woman from pain, suffering and drugs.

Judyth Reichenberg Ullman, ND, DHANP practices in Edmonds, Washington. She is the author, with her husband, Bob Reichenberg- Ullman, ND, DHANP of Ritalin Free Kids and The Patients Guide to Homeopathic Medicine.

New England Journal of Homeopathy Volume 6, Number 1.
Winter 1997