The Importance of Postpartum Care
By Dr. Angela Warburton, TCM
The month after giving birth is called ‘the golden month’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is of utmost importance that the mother and the newborn, get exceptional care during this time. So often in western society mothers are ‘back at it’ at rapid speed heading outside, socializing and moving around much too soon. During childbirth (both natural and caesarian) women lose a lot of blood and Qi (vital energy), which depletes them. The first few months after birth are crucial in replenishing this blood and Qi.
Things as simple as rest (a lot of it), eating nourishing and warming foods (think of foods that help recovery from an illness: chicken soup, easy-to-digest soups and stews, blood-building foods like high quality meats, beets, leafy greens) and keeping warm, particularly the feet, are extremely beneficial. By avoiding excessive cold, both in food and environment, the new mother is able to recover faster and more effectively which can contribute to vital things such as adequate milk supply.
It is said that in the months following childbirth, the mother’s body is more open to change than ever, so if she is able to take exquisite care of herself, she may be able to strengthen her health so significantly that previous illnesses (allergies, eczema, etc) can actually heal and disappear. Conversely, if a women fails to take good care of herself (or allow the people around her to do so), new health problems can arise.
Postpartum depression can happen without the proper nurturing of the new mother. Postpartum depression is a serious condition but fortunately there is a lot that can be done to prevent depression, or address it if a mother is already suffering from the blues. In TCM theory, depression can arise from excessive blood loss during the birthing process. A recent study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found acupuncture to be an effective treatment for depression in women during pregnancy and postpartum. In addition to acupuncture, herbal supplements for a few months after birth can be a highly effective tonic to prevent and/or address postpartum blues as well as other postpartum worries such as pain and discomfort, hemorrhoids or breast milk supply.
There is a lot that you can do to recover your vitality postpartum, and when you feel good, that’s ultimately good for your new baby too!
By Dr. Angela Warburton, TCM
The month after giving birth is called ‘the golden month’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is of utmost importance that the mother and the newborn, get exceptional care during this time. So often in western society mothers are ‘back at it’ at rapid speed heading outside, socializing and moving around much too soon. During childbirth (both natural and caesarian) women lose a lot of blood and Qi (vital energy), which depletes them. The first few months after birth are crucial in replenishing this blood and Qi.
Things as simple as rest (a lot of it), eating nourishing and warming foods (think of foods that help recovery from an illness: chicken soup, easy-to-digest soups and stews, blood-building foods like high quality meats, beets, leafy greens) and keeping warm, particularly the feet, are extremely beneficial. By avoiding excessive cold, both in food and environment, the new mother is able to recover faster and more effectively which can contribute to vital things such as adequate milk supply.
It is said that in the months following childbirth, the mother’s body is more open to change than ever, so if she is able to take exquisite care of herself, she may be able to strengthen her health so significantly that previous illnesses (allergies, eczema, etc) can actually heal and disappear. Conversely, if a women fails to take good care of herself (or allow the people around her to do so), new health problems can arise.
Postpartum depression can happen without the proper nurturing of the new mother. Postpartum depression is a serious condition but fortunately there is a lot that can be done to prevent depression, or address it if a mother is already suffering from the blues. In TCM theory, depression can arise from excessive blood loss during the birthing process. A recent study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found acupuncture to be an effective treatment for depression in women during pregnancy and postpartum. In addition to acupuncture, herbal supplements for a few months after birth can be a highly effective tonic to prevent and/or address postpartum blues as well as other postpartum worries such as pain and discomfort, hemorrhoids or breast milk supply.
There is a lot that you can do to recover your vitality postpartum, and when you feel good, that’s ultimately good for your new baby too!
