I recently connected with Sue Anello—a homeopath based in the UK and in New York—who is particularly well known for her work with pregnant women, children and babies. Sue is going to be in NYC and seeing patients in Union Square, Washington Heights, and Nyak from March 25 – 31st (email her at anellony@yahoo.com to arrange an appointment) so this was a perfect time to ask her a little more about what she does and how she does it.
First things first, for people who don’t know, what exactly is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is the complete system of healthcare based on the concept that like cures like. In homeopathy we match the state a person is in that is different from their state in health with a homeopathic remedy that is the most similar. The remedy itself is the energetic essence of a substance – any substance which goes through a process in a homeopathic pharmacy of dilution and shaking which creates the essence. As homeopathy is energy medicine, it is completely safe for pregnant women and babies and is all natural and free from side effects.
How did you start practicing homeopathy?
I suffered from severe post partum depression after my second baby was born. She was this perfect angel and the birth was amazing – a quick, home water-birth. I didn’t think it would be possible to be so down after such a great experience but I was. I saw a homeopath when she was 3 or 4 months old who gave me this remedy – and I was miraculously cured. I was literally amazed and decided I had to study. I left my old job—in charity public relations—and went to homeopathy school for four years. I graduated in 1999 and immediately moved back to NY from the UK to begin my practice.
That story is so important for many mothers to hear, and I’m really happy that you got the help you needed. What is your theory about why homeopathy is particularly helpful for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum? Because it certainly seems to be!
For one thing, because its so safe – and works so quickly. Some examples include helping someone avoid a miscarriage after a particularly invasive test left her bleeding and cramping. The right first aid remedy stopped the bleeding and cramping in its tracks. There are very useful remedies in homeopathy for morning sickness. While it’s not good to treat acute illness with medicine in pregnancy, its possible to treat those acutes illnesses homeopathically. Remedies have also been used to turn babies successfully in the third trimester.
Homeopathy is amazing in labor too – its helpful when a mother is stuck at any stage – and always takes the emotional state into account too. Many home birth midwives carry remedy kits with them and have seen the remedies help both mother and labor progress. Remedies are also indicated for supporting new born babies and for post partum issues around feeding (milk supply, mastitis etc).
Homeopathic remedies
The most basic remedies to have on hand are:
- Arnica: for shock, bruising and swelling – for moms and babies
- Hypericum: for cuts and tears
- Calendula: for tears and other abrasions
- Staphysagria: for healing after a c-section – especially if it was unplanned
I recommend that doulas and midwives (and parents-to-be) who want to learn more do a beginner’s class in homeopathy. Centre for Homeopathic Education New York will be holding a three day class in May where they can learn the basics of homeopathic treatment for first aid and acute conditions which will apply to looking after moms and babies.
That class sounds fantastic, and I’m sure you’ll see me there! Now, I know that there are times when it is important to see a trained homeopath for a more thorough diagnosis and treatment. For those situations, can you walk me through what it’s like to have an appointment with you?
First off you will come and sit with me for about an hour and a half while I take your case. This involves me asking you all about your life, both physical and emotional histories so that I can ascertain the patterns of what you are susceptible to and how you react to your environment and life experiences. This helps me to match what you are presenting with a homeopathic remedy.
It might seem like I’m asking crazy questions about what you like and don’t like (food, drink, temperature, environment etc) but this is to see what your body’s likes and dislikes are as it all shows me what signals your body is sending – and leads me towards the remedy. I also take a thorough family history (but if you or your child is adopted and you don’t know your history, that’s fine too).
At the end of all that I figure out the remedy or remedies (there are about 1,500 to choose from) and you will take that remedy and then come back and follow-up with me a month later and we see what’s changed. In the case of an issue in pregnancy we monitor it as we go along, as often or little as you need.
So how does someone go about working with you?
I practice both in New York City and Nyack and in Oxford England. I see patients once a month or so in NY and sometimes follow-up via Skype or phone. I also have many patients who live in other states and countries who I work with exclusively via Skype – so I’m very comfortable working either way. To get the ball rolling people can just send me an email: anellony@yahoo.com.
I loved this interview with Sue and hope you found it as informative as I did. If you want to learn more about Sue, please check out her website or her Facebook page. Beginning this fall, Sue will be the Director of the Centre for Homeopathic Education’s new branch in New York City. This is very exciting news for NYC’s birth community and parents, as one of Sue’s passions is training midwives, doulas, and parents how to use homeopathy in pregnancy, labor, birth, and post-partum, as well as treating babies and children.
