The following nine acute formulas were developed for commonly occurring mental and emotional states before, during, and after birth. Bach remedies work by harmonizing negative states, so all formula names and descriptions are stated in the negative and not the positive.

Acute Bach prescribing differs from constitutional prescribing in that the correct formula or remedy is indicated based on presently presenting symptoms in an acute situation. An individual in an acute situation like labor might behave or appear very differently than they “normally” would. Remember to treat and focus on mental and emotional states occurring during the labor, birth, or post partum period and not the deep personal issues of the birthing woman.

Constitutional prescribing is better left to a Bach practitioner working with the individual on an ongoing basis. Pregnancy is an excellent time for a woman to “work out” feelings, emotions, fears, and negative attitudes with Bach flower therapy and it will only help to facilitate an easier and less stressful pregnancy, labor, birth, and adjustment to life with a new baby.

“A pilot study at Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany found that pregnant women who were prescribed flower remedies gave natural birth more often and required significantly less medication during labor.”
—From the article “Emotional Rescue”, Vegetarian Times Magazine, June 2001

INDICATIONS
If a woman (her partner or others in the room) is clearly manifesting one or more of the remedy descriptions listed for a particular formula, the formula will probably be helpful in “shifting the energy” for that individual. If certain flower essences in the formula do not clearly describe what is happening, still proceed with the formula. Bach remedies that do not “match” will not in turn cause those symptoms to manifest in a person. Bach flower essences are very safe and gentle and will not cause a negative state to appear—they will only help harmonize and ease existing conditions.

For example: If a woman is afraid of the pain in labor and birth (MIMULUS) but at the same time is not losing her mind because of extreme terror or fear (CHERRY PLUM) the FEAR FORMULA will still be very beneficial in helping her to work with, overcome, or let go of that fear and will not cause her fear to deepen into terror.

DOSAGE
It is best to take one formula at a time until an “energy shift” is perceptible, other states surface, or things begin to move along smoothly and calmly. Four drops are placed directly on the tongue, sipped in a glass of water, or applied to the skin (preferable with a newborn) every 5 to 20 minutes until symptoms lessen or abate. Often just one dose is needed to calm an emotionally charged situation or reaction. For very strong acute states of extreme fear, pain, shock, hysteria, hopelessness, depression, etc., the formula can be given as often as every minute.

* Bach flower therapy should not be used in place of necessary emergency medical treatment. Any serious acute medical condition should be referred to a qualified healthcare practitioner.

FEAR FORMULA
Use is any case of fear from mild fears to real terror, fear can slow down and even stop labor, so this is a very useful formula

MIMULUS—fears of know things (pain, tearing, hospitals)
ASPEN—vague, unknown fears (paranoid, fear something “bad” might happen, occult fears)
ROCK ROSE—extreme terror, panic attack
CHERRY PLUM—fear of losing one’s mind, fear of losing control (often women are afraid to completely “let go” during labor and birth)

TENSION/ANXIETY/STRESS FORMULA
Use for impatience, mental/emotion/physical tension, anxiety, and stress

IMPATIENS—impatience, things are going to slowly (“When can I push?”)
VERVAIN—stressed out, tense, trying too hard and becoming exhausted and frustrated at themselves and others
BEECH—irritation or intolerance towards others (“Don’t touch me there!”)

EXCESSIVE WORRY FORMULA
Excessive worry and indecision

RED CHESTNUT—overly worried about the baby, other family members
WHITE CHESTNUT—thoughts that go around and around in the head and won’t quit (“I just can’t stop thinking/worrying about...”)
CERATO—worry causes one to constantly seek advice from others (“Do you think I should....What do you think?”)

DISCOURAGEMENT/DEPRESSION FORMULA
For lack of self confidence, discouragement, hopelessness, and depression

GENTIAN—depressed, discouraged
LARCH—lacks self confidence, low self esteem (“I can’t do this.”)
GORSE—complete despair, gives up trying
SWEET CHESTNUT—all hope abandoned, lost, helpless

 

WITHDRAWN/NOT PRESENT FORMULA
U se for women who become uncommunicative, withdrawn, listless, dreamy, or lose themselves

WATER VIOLET—aloof, withdrawn, unapproachable, wants to be left alone
CLEMATIS—dreamy, spacey, not focussed, not present in her body
HONEYSUCKLE—focuses on the past not the present (“But my last labor was so...”)
WILD ROSE—completely apathetic, resigned to fate
CENTAURY—gives away her power to others, has no willpower of her own

 

LABOR/BIRTH/POSTPARTUM EXHAUSTION FORMULA
For physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion/fatigue, good for a newborn after a long, difficult labor

HORNBEAM—fatigue, but with a small reserve of energy
OLIVE—complete exhaustion, excellent for postpartum recovery
ELM—feeling overwhelmed with the task at hand (birth, motherhood)
OAK—benefits those that persevere in the face of hardship, plodding progress, tired, yet a sense of duty to see things through, struggling

NEGATIVE EMOTIONS FORMULA
For strong negative emotions, feelings, thoughts, and attitudes directed at the woman herself or at others around her

CHICORY—selfish, demanding, possessive, craves attention of others
VINE—dominating, controlling
WILLOW—resentful and bitter towards others, past events, can’t let go
HOLLY—anger, hate, jealousy, envy, saying hurtful, mean things
HEATHER—completely self-absorbed, everything and everyone must revolve around the woman, her discomforts and pains are the focus

TRANSITION/RELEASE FORMULA
To help make fluid, easy changes(excellent between the stages of labor, try for an unexpelled placenta, a stalled labor, to facilitate nursing), to move on positively, to release any shock or trauma, give to new mother, father, and baby right after the birth, a wonderful way to begin and end a birth

WALNUT—resistance to change/transition, “stuck”, gently releases and protects/shields one from outside influences so the labor can progress smoothly
STAR OF BETHLEHEM—releases shock on all levels, even old traumas/shock, erases energy blockages

 

FIVE FLOWER/EMERGENCY RESCUE FORMULA
Use in all cases of shock, trauma, emergency situations, extreme fear, panic, hysteria, pain, unconsciousness, also excellent to let the laboring woman sip a glass of water with 4 to 6 drops during painful contractions, drops may also be gently placed on her hand during pushing, apply water with drops to gauze and place on perineum during crowning, give to both mother and baby after birth, good for mom, dad, and baby before and after circumcision/operations

CHERRY PLUM, IMPATIENS, CLEMATIS, ROCK ROSE, and STAR OF BETHLEHEM