Traditional Wisdom for the fourth trimester

An overview of the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and how you can apply these for your postpartum care.

The recovery process and rituals from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a woman post birth are really generous, kind and considered. 

Birth is a moment where the body goes from most ‘yang’ to most ‘yin’. At the end of pregnancy the body is warm, full of blood, full of life (literally!). Birth is a very ‘yang’ experience, very outward and energetic. After the birth your body is at its most ‘yin’, you have an empty space inside you and the loss of vital substances (blood, fluid and energy) means you are in a vulnerable state. 

To bring balance back to the body, great importance is given to rest, warmth, nourishing foods and providing protection for the mother. 

Rest

You have sacrificed much of your energy to bring new life into the world and this must be restored. It is recommended to create a cocoon of care for you and your baby. 

Traditionally this would be for forty days. This is often discussed as being two weeks in the bed, two weeks on the bed and two weeks around the bed. 

We are often discharged from hospital very quickly after the birth now. I went home the same day. Speaking to my grandmother and my mother about their experiences, they had a much longer stay in hospital. Both were there for over a week, experiencing a time of dedicated support and rest. This change in care has happened at a time when we usually have less support nearby and are not living in the town where our close friends and families are. It is also likely that we are returning to work much sooner than our mothers did.

In addition to this change in care, it is possible that no one will speak to you about your need for deep rest after the birth. There is a lot of emphasis placed on your birth plan in the conversations with your medical team during pregnancy. I would love for you to think about how you will achieve a period of rest. 

We are used to achieving lots each day both socially and professionally. It can feel very different to find patience to move slowly and mindfully. However, this patience and moving much, much slower is necessary for you to replenish your energies.

I would like for you to plan for a much longer period of rest than you think you will need. This is because it is always easier to end your period of rest early, than to ask for additional support when you are feeling tired, vulnerable and under pressure to ‘get back to normal’. 

Warmth 

TCM asks that the mother is kept warm. Warmth is bringing balance to the body and preventing an excess of yin. Warm foods, warm drinks, warm clothes and warm baths are needed here. 

You don’t want any cold air on the back of the neck, chest or throat and the hands and the feet should be kept warm. 

Think about your most cosy, comfy clothes, warm socks, blankets and hot water bottles.  

Sipping on warm teas to warm both your hands and your digestive system. Warming foods, such as soups and stews and warming spices (ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg) are all good for this time. Soups and stews freeze really well, so if you don’t have a big support network, these might be something friends could batch cook for you. 

Protection 

In this ‘open’ state you are highly sensitive to undesirable energies and emotions. 

So the people that you invite to share this precious time with you should be those who make you feel good. People who understand that you don’t need any drama, worries or conflict while you are in this vulnerable state. 

Figuring out who shares those early days with you and your family can be really tough. Establishing and holding a clear boundary can cause conflict. There are lots of expectations placed on us to be open and welcoming in those early days. However, I really encourage you not to be. This is a time where your needs come first. You need to move at your own pace.

You need to protect your energy from anything that may upset you. This also extends to the things you watch, read and listen too. 

Think about things that make you feel really positive, uplifting and light and ensure you have a few things saved ready for this time. 

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