Chinese Medicine for Postpartum care
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which includes acupuncture and herbal medicine, has been successfully helping women and their reproductive health for many years. Now more than ever, for postpartum care.
Acupuncture truly excels in supporting healthy pregnancies and can help you feel great postpartum.
Taking care of yourself postpartum
Pregnancy and birth are powerful life changing experiences. Acupuncture can support women through this important and beautiful transition by offering physical and emotional support. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine works to support optimal health for the mother and every mother should consider acupuncture after having a baby for these balancing and healing benefits!
Postpartum is a special and intense period of our lives. During this time we experience more physical and emotional demands than ever before.
Having a supporting community, including care providers, can be an integral part of this new phase and transitional time.
Postpartum symptoms can acupuncture help with
- Encourage healthy milk supply
- Hormonal balancing
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Stress management
- Prolonged bleeding
- C-section scar recovery
- Reduce aches and pains
Why postpartum support is so important
In many other cultures, the fourth trimester, is honoured as a time of rest, recuperation and family bonding. In some countries it is customary for the new mother to spend 30-40 days at home resting while being cared for by her family and community.
Termed the ‘Golden month’ this was a time of resting and consuming specific foods to aid recovery. While 30 days of recovery time may initially sound a little excessive, it was considered essential to compensate for not only the birth but also the total experience of being pregnant for nine months.
While this isn’t always available to those of us living in the western world, utilizing some aspect of this ancient medicine can be exceptionally helpful navigating this new territory.
Time and time again in my clinical practice, I see the attention and care for the new baby overshadow the need for support for the new mother. In Chinese medicine, there is a saying “to heal the child, treat the mother”. This is an example of the importance of caring for mother, for her health and for baby’s health.
When should I start receiving postpartum treatments?
Leading up to labor, I have all my patients pre book a post party visit for 4-6 weeks after delivery.
At this treatment, we address any of the above mentioned symptoms, or anything else that may be showing up for them. Often, this is the first time mum may have left the house alone, and typically the quiet alone time is enjoyed and welcomed.
If symptoms present themselves prior to that time, treatment will begin at an earlier date.
It is not uncommon to have health issues related to postpartum develop one or two years following your birth. Seeing your practitioner shortly after your birth can help prevent these things from happening. However, if you find yourself six months or a year postpartum and not feeling your best, we would love to help. It is never too late to start seeing an acupuncturist!
If you are interested in learning more, give us a call at 1 778 400 6360.
