A Gentle Guide to Early Pregnancy with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Kit Li

A patient recently shared the wonderful news of her pregnancy. This is an exciting milestone, and it is also a crucial time to support both maternal health and early fetal development. Here, I would like to share some TCM perspectives, dietary suggestions, and practical guidance for the first trimester.

The first trimester is the most critical stage of pregnancy. During this time, the major organs begin to form, including the heart, brain, spine, and limbs. The neural tube develops early into the brain and spinal cord, and the placenta begins establishing the baby’s supply of nutrients and oxygen. The heart may start beating as early as weeks 5 to 6.

Because these systems are still developing, this stage is particularly sensitive. Exposure to toxins, poor diet, or environmental stressors may affect normal development. Maintaining a clean environment and supporting overall maternal well-being is therefore essential.

From a TCM perspective, the focus in early pregnancy is to stabilise the Kidneys, calm the fetus, strengthen the Spleen, relieve nausea.

There are three common patterns as early pregnancy symptoms (especially nausea):

1. Spleen and Stomach-Deficiency with Rebellious Chong Qi

Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting clear fluids or saliva, fatigue, poor appetite
Dietary support: Ginger and red date tea and Chenpi roasted rice tea (1)
Benefits: Warms the middle jiao, strengthens digestion, relieves nausea

Acupressure support:

Press PC-6 (Neiguan) (2, 3), located on the inner forearm, about three finger-widths above the wrist crease between two tendons. This point is commonly used to relieve nausea.

2. Liver-Qi Attacking the Stomach

Symptoms: Sour regurgitation, chest tightness, irritability, bitter taste
Dietary support: Perilla plum tea
Benefits: Regulates Qi, soothes the Liver, relieves nausea

Acupressure support:

Press ST-36 (Zusanli) (3), located about four finger-widths below the kneecap and one finger-width lateral to the shinbone. This helps strengthen digestion and reduce fatigue.

3. Kidney- and Qi-Deficiency

Symptoms: Lower back pain, frequent urination, fatigue
Dietary support: Chestnut and Chinese yam pork soup
Benefits: Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens Qi, nourishes Blood, and helps stabilise pregnancy

Recipes:

1. Ginger (4) & Red Date Tea

Ingredients: 3 - 4 slices fresh ginger, 3 pitted red dates (split open)

Method: Steep in 500 ml boiling water for 15 minutes and sip slowly

Suitable for: Nausea, poor appetite

2. Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf) (5), Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel) & Ginger Drink

Ingredients: Zisuye, chenpi, ginger

Method: Simmer in water for 15 to 20 minutes and drink as tea

Suitable for: Nausea, bloating

3. Chestnut & Chinese Yam Pork Soup

Ingredients: Fresh chestnuts, dried Chinese yam, corn, lean pork (lotus seeds or carrots can be added)

Method: Blanch pork, then combine all ingredients and cook in a pressure cooker for 30 minutes

Suitable for: Weak digestion, fatigue

Key Points on TCM precautions: In early pregnancy, it is important to avoid strong tonics and blood-activating herbs. Herbs such as Dang Gui (Angelica root), Chuan Xiong (Szechuan lovage), Hong Hua (safflower), and Dan Shen (red sage) may stimulate blood circulation and should only be used under professional guidance.

Downward-moving or laxative herbs should also be avoided. Examples include Yi Yi Ren (coix seed / Job’s tears) and Da Huang (rhubarb root), as they may disrupt the stability needed during this stage.

Cold and raw foods, such as watermelon, bitter melon, sashimi, and cold drinks, should be limited as they can weaken digestion and worsen nausea or diarrhoea.

Greasy and overly rich foods should also be reduced. Sugary and fatty foods may create “dampness,” which can aggravate nausea and digestive discomfort.

A final note: if you are unable to eat for 24 hours, have very little or dark urine, or notice weight loss, this may be a sign of severe pregnancy vomiting (hyperemesis) and dehydration. You should seek medical care immediately for fluids and electrolyte support.

If you have spotting that continues for more than 12 hours, it should also be checked. Light spotting can be normal, but ongoing bleeding may need assessment. Contact a healthcare provider, especially if it becomes heavier or is accompanied by pain, cramping, dizziness, or weakness.

References:

1) Chenpi roasted rice tea: https://kitli-vitaqiholistic.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-rebirth-of-body-wisdom-of-postpartum.html

2) Effect of Nei-Guan point (P6) acupressure on ketonuria levels, nausea and vomiting in women with hyperemesis gravidarum: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17645494/

3) The effectiveness of acupressure combination Neiguan and Zuzanli points to decrease emesis gravidarum in the first trimester of pregnancy:    https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1738/0d70ac4f6a88d52fec0b5bada5cdd2a49ee2.pdf

4) Ginger tea significantly reduced nausea levels in pregnant women:  https://jptcp.com/index.php/jptcp/article/view/7641

5)Perilla is useful during pregnancy to alleviate nausea and for calming a restless fetus: https://christopherhobbs.com/herbal-therapeutics-database/herb/perilla