Chinese medicine provides amazingly effective treatments for women who have recently given birth to children. Almost all new moms find themselves depleted after delivery (whether vaginal or cesarean) – for some, it’s due to sleep deprivation and emotional overwhelm, but for many others, it’s due to the loss of blood and energy from the birthing process. Receiving acupuncture, herbal therapy, moxibustion, and nutritional support can make a huge difference in the amount of time it takes a new mom to recover her energies while adjusting to her new family life.
Chinese medicine has carried forward a tradition known as “mother roasting.” This is a process of warming and strengthening the new mother after she has lost vital energy, amniotic fluid, and blood during the birthing process. Mother roasting involves burning moxa, a Chinese herb known for its invigorating properties, near the mother’s abdomen and lower back, in order to greatly accelerate her recovery and strength. Mother roasting also includes guiding the mother to consume warm and healing foods, using strengthening and warming Chinese herbal formulas, and providing acupuncture sessions to support vitality, health, and emotional balance.
Postpartum Chinese medical care will also address imbalances that arise after birth. These might include hemorrhoids, organ prolapse, insufficient or excess milk supply, aches and pains from holding and nursing the child, and stress, anxiety, or depression. Postpartum care may also involve treatment for other family members: partners who are suffering from stress, sleep deprivation, and overall depletion; and newborns who struggle with colic, skin conditions, and other imbalances.
I strongly believe in supporting the health of the family, which involves ensuring that the mother is physically and emotionally healthy enough to provide care for her new baby and the other children she may already have. It also means making sure that the mother has adequate support at home, whether that is care from a partner, friends and family, or hired help. It is a precious and highly vulnerable stage of life, and new mothers and families deserve knowledgeable, supportive care to navigate their new world.
If you are a pregnant woman or new mama in need of support, please be in touch to see how I can support you and your family!
