Homeoquackery

In a desperate bid to avoid the workplace for a bit longer, and because moving to another continent we didn't feel was challenge enough, we thought "let's have another baby!". And so we will. I am 10 weeks pregnant.

I am also very sick. Some women have pre-eclampsia; some have difficult births; my specialist pregnancy horror is the first three months.

I've been in bed pretty much for 10 days, with a wonderful army of friends and family looking after Em and Glo. Last night, after throwing up about 5 times in 2 hours, I got so fed up I called the on-call doctor service. They sent me.....a homeopath.

I admit when you say the word 'homeopath', I hear the word 'quack,' despite not knowing anything about it or having tried any homeopathic remedy ever. (I know people rave about Echinacea, but Beecham's Colds and Flu is very effective and more readily available. I guess I've never not had a conventional medicine work for me.)

The good doctor arrived last night, didn't introduce himself, didn't ask any questions other than "you're pregnant, are you?" and didn't examine me or take any observations. I explained I'd also had diarrhoea and a fever, which he didn't seem remotely bothered by. He seemed in quite a hurry. (Perhaps he had parked illegally?) He reassured me it would be over soon, made a quip about how I was 'populating Switzerland!' and wrote out a prescription for homeopathic nausea granules which he assured were 'excellent'. Then he left. Total length of stay: 5 minutes.

Of course the proof of the pudding is in the eating...and if these granules work then I will eat my words, my hat and send a thank you letter to Dr Herbs. Can't help feeling sceptical though..