Post Natal Care
“Proper postnatal care, rest, and diet will rebuild a more mature, yet beautiful, body for the new mother”
Ng Siong Mui The Chinese Pregnancy and Confinement Cookbook
The post-partum period, often referred to as the ‘Golden Month’, is an important time for the mother and baby to get to know each other and establish a strong, loving connection, establish breastfeeding and milk supply, and for the mother to heal and replenish her resources after the pregnancy, birth, and labour. It is considered a watershed for the woman’s health. Her care during this time will influence her health for the rest of her life. From a Chinese medicine viewpoint, it is very important that the mother receives enough rest and special nourishing foods to replenish her reserves, help her body to heal and establish a milk supply. Our society neglects mothers during this time and does not encourage adequate rest which results in exhaustion, postpartum depression and numerous health complaints months and years later.
'Mother warming' is a one off treatment given to new mums ideally in the first 10 days after birth. The dried herb moxa is lit and held above the lower abdomen. The sensation is a warmth and nourishing heat. The treatment is designed to heal and strengthen the womb and surrounding muscles, and thus will energise and aid recovery. For women who have had a caesarean scar, care is taken to avoid moxa over this area if it is overly red. Following the 'mother warming', some gentle acupuncture is given to further calm, relax and tonify which will be tailored according to how the mother is feeling. This is a nourishing treatment that can be arranged as part of your post natal care and recovery.
Specific conditions that arise in the post natal period that respond well to acupuncture include:
- Hemorrhoids
- Caesarean Scars
- Diastasis Recti
- Prolapse (rectocele, vaginal, bladder)
- Pelvic Pain
- Anxiety
- Depression