Postpartum Care: Natural Remedies for Healing and Recovery
Learn Everything About The First 40 Days and Chinese Traditional Care
Hey there, new mama!
Congratulations on bringing your beautiful baby into the world. The postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester, is a crucial time for your recovery and bonding with your newborn. As you navigate these first weeks, let’s talk about some natural remedies to support your healing and well-being.
🔥 Keep warm at all times! 🔥
According to Chinese medicine, staying warm during the postpartum period is super important for a few key reasons. First, after childbirth, your body loses a lot of blood, energy (Qi), and fluids, which leaves you feeling depleted and more vulnerable to cold. When your uterus is opened during birth, it’s especially important to keep it warm because cold can easily enter and cause cramps, pain, and clots in your bleeding. Warmth helps to prevent these issues by keeping the uterus cozy and protected.
Additionally, heat helps to dilate blood vessels, which improves blood circulation. Good circulation is crucial for delivering nutrients and oxygen to your tissues, promoting faster and more effective healing. It also helps to move stagnant blood and fluids, reducing the risk of postpartum complications. By keeping your body warm with warm foods, clothing, and baths, you're creating the best possible environment for your body to recover, heal, and regain strength.
So in practice:
Use moxibustion above the lower abdomen to warm the uterus or simply a heating pad
Wear socks at all times
Be covered with a scarf when you go outside: cover your neck and lower back.
Don’t go outside if it’s windy
Eat warm and cooked food.
✨ Postpartum Diet According to Chinese Medicine ✨
In the delicate postpartum period, taking care of your body with the right foods is super important. According to Chinese medicine, focusing on a diet that restores balance and nourishes your body can make a big difference in your recovery.
First off, warm, easily digestible foods are your best friends right now. Childbirth depletes your blood, Qi (energy), and Yin (fluids), so you need foods that help rebuild these vital elements. Nutrient-rich soups and broths, especially those made from bone or chicken, are fantastic. They provide essential minerals and are incredibly supportive for recovery.
Have you tried congee? It’s a type of rice porridge that’s gentle and nourishing. Perfect for postpartum, it’s easy on the stomach and can be customized with various toppings to keep things interesting.
Incorporating warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric into your meals can aid digestion and improve circulation. These spices not only add flavor but also help your body heal from the inside out.
One important thing to remember: avoid cold, raw foods. They can disrupt your body’s healing process. Instead, go for cooked vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. These foods are not only easier to digest but also more beneficial for your body’s recovery.
Red dates, goji berries, and lotus seeds are often included in postpartum diets for their amazing blood-nourishing and energy-boosting benefits. You can add them to your congee or enjoy them as snacks.
For boosting your milk supply, fenugreek or fennel seeds are great. You can brew them into a tea or sprinkle them into your meals. They’re known to help with lactation and can make a noticeable difference.
Taking the time to nourish yourself properly now will pay off in how you feel both physically and emotionally.
Postpartum Congee Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup of jasmine rice (or any other white rice)
10 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of cooked shredded chicken (optional, for added protein)
1/2 cup of chopped carrots
1/2 cup of chopped spinach
1/4 cup of goji berries
5 slices of fresh ginger
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
Salt to taste
Green onions and cilantro for garnish
Soy sauce or tamari (optional, for seasoning)
Red dates (jujubes) for additional nourishment (optional)
Instructions:
Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps to remove excess starch and prevents the congee from becoming too thick.
Cook the Congee:
In a large pot, bring the water or chicken broth to a boil.
Add the rinsed rice to the boiling liquid.
Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook the rice for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You want the rice to break down and create a porridge-like consistency. If the congee becomes too thick, you can add more water or broth.
Add Ingredients:
After about an hour, add the shredded chicken (if using), chopped carrots, spinach, goji berries, ginger slices, and minced garlic to the pot.
Continue to simmer for another 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are well combined.
Season the Congee:
Stir in the sesame oil and add salt to taste.
If desired, you can add a splash of soy sauce or tamari for extra flavor.
Serve:
Remove the ginger slices before serving.
Ladle the congee into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro.
You can also add red dates for additional nourishment if you like.
Tips:
Protein Options: If you prefer, you can use other protein sources like fish or tofu.
Consistency: Adjust the consistency of the congee by adding more broth if it becomes too thick.
Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment with other vegetables and herbs to suit your taste preferences.
This postpartum congee is warming, nourishing, and gentle on the digestive system, making it perfect for new moms during their recovery period. Enjoy and take good care of yourself!
💫 Emotional Support 💫
Don’t underestimate the importance of emotional support during this time. Surround yourself with a supportive network of family, friends, and healthcare professionals like doulas or confinement nannies. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
🚂 A lot of people here in the us benefit from meal train 🚂
A meal train is a wonderful way for your friends, family, and community to rally around you and provide much-needed support by delivering meals right to your door. Here’s how it works:
Getting Started: Usually, one of your friends or family members will take the lead in organizing the meal train. They’ll create a schedule using an online platform or a simple calendar, where volunteers can sign up to bring meals on specific dates.
Personal Touch: The organizer will check in with you to understand your dietary preferences, any allergies, and specific needs you might have. They’ll share this info with everyone involved to make sure the meals you receive are just what you need. Go for warm and cooked home made food!
Scheduling: Friends and family pick dates that work for them and sign up to bring meals. This way, you get a steady flow of delicious food without the stress of overlapping deliveries or too many meals at once.
Meal Delivery: On their chosen day, each volunteer will prepare and deliver a meal to you. It’s all about giving you a break and ensuring you have nourishing food.
Variety and Balance: The great thing about a meal train is the variety. You’ll get to enjoy different types of meals, ensuring you have a balanced diet full of the nutrients you need to recover and produce milk for your baby.
Imagine coming home from the hospital to find a warm meal waiting for you, or waking up after a rough night with your newborn to a fresh breakfast delivered by a friend. It’s not just about the food; it’s about knowing that your community cares and is there to support you.
So don’t hesitate to let your friends and family set one up for you. You deserve all the support you can get during this special, yet challenging time.
Which app to use?
Here is a great app to use for meal Train. And it’s free! https://www.mealtrain.com/
🌷Acupuncture for Postpartum Healing 🌷
Acupuncture can be a game-changer during the postpartum period. Here’s how it can help you:
Increases Milk Supply: Many moms find acupuncture beneficial for enhancing milk production, especially if they’re struggling with supply. Regular sessions, typically lasting about 45 minutes, can help ensure your baby gets all the nourishment they need.
Emotional Well-being: The hormonal rollercoaster after birth can be intense. Acupuncture helps balance your hormones, reducing the risk of postpartum depression and improving your overall emotional health. Many new moms feel more balanced and uplifted after a few sessions.
Regulates Bleeding by using moxibustion: It’s essential to monitor postpartum bleeding. Acupuncture can help ensure that your bleeding is normal and support your body’s natural healing processes. Using moxa, a warming technique with dried mugwort, we can gently warm the womb and promote healing.
Digestion and Constipation: Many women experience digestive issues or constipation postpartum. Acupuncture promotes healthy digestion and alleviates these discomforts. This can make a big difference in your overall comfort and recovery.
Sleep and Night Sweats: Quality sleep is tough to come by with a newborn, but acupuncture can help improve your sleep patterns and manage those pesky night sweats. Moms often report better sleep and less nighttime discomfort after treatment.
Perineum Healing and Hemorrhoids: Acupuncture can aid in the healing of your perineum and reduce hemorrhoids, providing much-needed relief from discomfort.
Swollen Legs: It helps improve circulation and reduce swelling in your legs, which is common after childbirth. Improved circulation can make you feel more mobile and less achy.
🌿 Herbal supplements for Postpartum Recovery 🌿
Herbal treatments can be incredibly supportive in lifting your energy, building your blood, and preventing prolapse. These natural remedies have been used for centuries to help new mothers recover from childbirth, rebalance hormones, and promote overall well-being. Here are some of my favorite herbs and practical tips on how to use them:
Building Blood, Qi, and Yin
Childbirth can deplete your body's blood, Qi (energy), and Yin (nourishing fluids). Chinese herbs are excellent for rebuilding these essential elements:
Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis): Often referred to as the "female ginseng," Dang Gui helps replenish blood and improve circulation. It's especially useful for rebuilding blood and alleviating fatigue.
Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root): This herb is great for nourishing Yin and blood, helping to restore energy and support recovery.
Bai Shao (White Peony Root): Helps nourish blood and regulate the liver, which can be beneficial for hormone balance and emotional stability.
Huang Qi (Astragalus Root): Known for boosting Qi, this herb enhances overall energy levels and supports the immune system.
Hormone Rebalance and Uterine Health
Balancing hormones and ensuring the uterus remains tonic are crucial for postpartum recovery:
Mu Dan Pi (Tree Peony Bark): Helps clear heat and cool the blood, which can assist in rebalancing hormones and reducing postpartum bleeding.
Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort): This herb is traditionally used to promote uterine contractions, helping to stop bleeding and tone the uterus.
Warming Herbs for Healing
Keeping the body warm is essential for postpartum recovery, according to Chinese medicine. Warming herbs can support this process:
Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark): Warms the interior, supports circulation, and alleviates pain.
Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger): Warms the stomach and spleen, aiding digestion and preventing cold accumulation.
Lifting Energy to Prevent Prolapse
Preventing perineum prolapse is important for long-term health. Herbs that lift energy upward can be very helpful:
Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Known for its ability to raise Yang Qi, this herb helps lift energy and prevent prolapse.
Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga): Another herb that raises Yang Qi, supporting the prevention of prolapse and helping with overall energy levels.
A famous formula called Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is prescribed for perineum rehabilitation after childbirth and helps to avoid or heal uterine prolapse. If you are interested in this formula, just schedule a phone call with me and I will be happy to discuss about it and order it for you depending on your constitution.
Practical Use of Herbs
These herbs can be taken in various forms such as powder form, tinctures, or supplements. Here are some practical tips on how to incorporate them into your daily routine:
Powder form: Create a nourishing tea with your prescribed herbs by mixing them with hot water. Drink this tea 3 times a day to support recovery.
Tinctures: Herbal tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts that can be added to water or juice. Follow the recommended dosage on the product label, typically a few drops to a teaspoon, taken a few times a day.
Supplements: Herbal supplements in capsule form can be convenient. Let me know if you wish advice on herbal treatments. I will give you a personalized prescription with the correct dosage that fits your needs.
Sitz Baths for Perineal Healing
A sitz bath can be incredibly soothing and promote healing of the perineum. Here’s how to prepare one:
Fill a Sitz Bath Basin: You can get a sitz bath basin that fits over your toilet or use your bathtub.
Add Warm Water: Make sure it’s comfortably warm, not too hot.
Add Herbs: Calendula, chamomile, and comfrey are excellent choices for a sitz bath. These herbs have anti-inflammatory and healing properties. You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil for extra soothing effects.
Soak: Sit in the bath for about 15-20 minutes, twice a day if possible or simply soak your pads with the warmed decoction.
Remember, the postpartum period is a time of immense change and adjustment. Be gentle with yourself and allow your body the time it needs to heal. By embracing these natural remedies, you can support your recovery and enjoy this precious time with your new baby. You've got this, mama!
If you want to know more about acupuncture for Postpartum recovery, book a free 30 min consultation with me here.
