Labor: Physiology, Mechanism, Obstetric Complications, and a Homoeopathic Therapeutic Perspective

Abstract

Background: Labor is a complex physiological process involving coordinated maternal, fetal, endocrine, biochemical, and mechanical mechanisms that culminate in the expulsion of the fetus, placenta, and membranes. Despite advances in modern obstetric care, complications during labor and the puerperium continue to contribute significantly to maternal and neonatal morbidity. Homoeopathy has traditionally been employed as an adjunctive therapeutic approach for managing various labor-related conditions.
Keywords: Parturition; Mechanism of Labor; Obstetric Complications; Homoeopathic Therapeutics; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Retained Placenta; Puerperium
Objective: To review the physiological aspects of normal labor, its stages, mechanisms, complications, and to highlight the homoeopathic management of common obstetric conditions encountered during labor and the puerperal period.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted using standard obstetric textbooks, homoeopathic materia medica, repertories, and clinical therapeutic references. Information regarding the onset, stages, and mechanism of labor was compiled alongside homoeopathic remedies indicated for abnormal labor, retained placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, urinary retention, puerperal infections, postpartum psychological disturbances, malpresentations, false labor pains, and post-dated pregnancy.