Recently, a widely discussed topic among my patients is 'How women care for themselves emotionally and physically after giving birth?' As someone who supports patients through pre- and post-IVF acupuncture treatments, I've noticed this conversation resonates deeply, and it's far from over. Interestingly, many men are also engaging in this dialogue, making it a truly shared and evolving topic.
Once, my grandma said, 'Giving birth is an intense and transformative experience, often described as a journey to the edge of life. The confinement period that follows is a sacred time for restoration, a chance to gently bring vitality, balance, and life back to the mother’s body and spirit.'
She was right, postpartum confinement is a woman's reconciliation with her body and destiny, it's a kind of 'Rebirth of the body'. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches that childbirth greatly weakens a woman’s vitality. Her qi and blood become deficient, the uterus needs healing, and the digestive system needs strengthening. Confinement isn’t about blindly supplementing, it's about adjusting slowly, using stillness and time to nourish.
I used to think postpartum confinement was just about resting in bed and drinking some homemade soups. But when my daughter was born three months prematurely, I truly came to value that period of time. I also saw some of my friends, who didn't take proper care of themselves after childbirth, often due to different cultural backgrounds and suffer from long-term issues. Within a few years, many experienced back pain, joint problems, irregular menstruation, arthritis and even hair loss. They hadn't restored their Qi and Blood during confinement. That's when I realised postpartum care is so much more than I had ever imagined.
“Your first child drained your vitality. Don’t be reckless with the second. Women who rush around during confinement, by spring, their roots are already withered.” Grandma said.
1) Shenghua Tang (生化汤)*: a classic formula often used during the postpartum period to promote blood circulation, dispel blood stasis, and aid uterine recovery. Taking 3 - 5 consecutive days ideally.
2) Juyuan Jian (举元煎)*: primarily used to tonify Qi, especially spleen and lung qi, and to raise sinking Yang-Qi. Often prescribed for prolapse, fatigue, or chronic diarrhoea due to Qi deficiency.
3) Buzhong Yiqi Tang (补中益气汤)*: a famous classic formula by Li Dongyuan (李东垣), used to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, raise sunken Yang, and augment Qi, especially helpful in cases of fatigue, prolapse, or chronic loose stools.
In TCM, 'Warmth is the Foundation of Recovery'. It's about balancing our internal and external. We never let cold enter the body during confinement. Once cold gets into the bones, your life force scatters. After childbirth, Yang energy is depleted, and the body is like an open door, cold can easily sneak in.
We also prepare some warming teas, such as:
1) Ginger with brown sugar Tea (薑红茶)* : to dispel cold
2) Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel) and Roasted Rice Tea (陳皮炒米茶)* : to warm the Stomach, strengthen the Spleen, and supports Upright Qi.
Confinement isn’t just about healing the body; it’s also about helping the heart find its warmth again.
We all know that physical wounds can be healed through Qi and Blood, but emotional wounds can last a lifetime. Most new mothers are fragile and delicate during this period, which makes postnatal depression quite common. From a TCM perspective, when emotions are disturbed, Liver-Qi stagnates, as a result, breast milk may not flow, and deeper damage can follow. Emotional and physical support from family is essential during this time.
Another helpful formula is: Ziru Tang (滋乳汤)*: which promotes breast milk production, nourish Qi and Blood, and supports women experiencing low milk supply due to Qi and Blood deficiency.
For a new mother, if confinement is done right, a child is a blessing. If not, the child may feel like a burden. It's not about weakness, it’s about investing a month for a lifetime of strength. Confinement is about storing: storing Energy, storing Yang, storing the foundation of a woman’s lifelong vitality.
References:
1) Shenghua Tang (生化汤): Danggui (Chinese Angelica Roots), Chuangxiong (Ligusticum Root), Taoren (Peach Kernel), Paojiang (Charred Ginger), Zhigancao (Honey-Fried Licorice Root)
2) Juyuan Jian (举元煎): Renshen (Ginseng), HuangQi (Milkvetch Roots), Gancao (Liquorice), Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizomes), Shengma (Bugbane Rhizomes)
3) Buzhong Yiqi Tang (补中益气汤): Renshen (Ginseng), Gancao (Liquorice), Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizomes), Danggui (Chinese Angelica Roots), Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel), HuangQi (Milkvetch Roots), ChaiHu (Bupleurum Roots), ShengMa (Bugbane Rhizomes)
4) Ziru Tang (滋乳汤): HuangQi (Milkvetch Roots), Danggui (Chinese Angelica Roots), Zhimu (anemarrhena rhizome), XuanShen (Ningpo figwort root), Lulutong (Sweetgum fruit), Wanbuliuxing (Vaccaria seeds)
5) Ginger with Brown Sugar Tea (薑红茶):
Slice 4-5 pieces of ginger, put them into a pot with about 500ml of water. Boil for 2-3 minutes, then add brown sugar 10g and continue boiling for another 2-3 minutes. It’s ready to serve.
6) Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel) and Roasted Rice Tea (陳皮炒米茶):
Ingredients: 4 measuring cups of rice, 4 pieces of aged tangerine peel (Chenpi)
Instructions:
1) Soak the dried tangerine peel until soft, then scrape off the pith and finely chop it. Set aside.
2) No need to wash the rice. Add it directly to a dry wok along with the chopped tangerine peel. Dry roast (no oil or water) over high heat, stirring from the bottom up, until the ingredients are cooked.
3) When the rice turns white and the tangerine peel becomes crispy, reduce to medium-low heat. Continue roasting until the rice turns yellow and slightly puffs up. Then turn off the heat and let it cool.
4) Soaked the roasted Chenpi and rice in a flask for 15 minutes before drinking.
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