TCM for prenatal

1. Pre & postnatal Health in TCM
Nov.12, 2012 Dr.Chen
Traditional Chinese Medicine enjoys thousands years
history and has served the highest population on the
earth with proved experience on pre and postnatal
health for women. Those valuable asset had been
recorded in TCM classics and clinical texts which
covers therapies known today as acupuncture, tuina,
herbal medicine, diet and energy exercises.
Two thousand years ago, there was already teachings
in Oriental medicine about prenatal and embryology
development which detailed exactly as the
researches backed by today's medical technology.
The life system promotes its energy with regulated
running in accordance with the universal way,
modeling as the meridian networks. By exercising the energy with hand manipulation,
acupuncture, moxibusion or herbal remedy, a better balance could help the pre and postnatal
health conditions which usually raise individual disorders for short or long term. TCM take the
postnatal period as an important session for women's health, a smooth recovery will bring back
the balance and clear any defect for future birth or menstral condition.
From conceiving to pregnancy, the womb and ovary system need to be in good condition to
enable the accommadation of new life. In TCM, the reproductive system is associated with
different internal organ system, such as liver, spleen and kidney etc. A regulated menstrual
period also indicates the hormonal balance. As TCM takes the body as a whole system, infertility
could be treated by correcting any imbalance of the whole system than simply focus only on the
reproductive system in modern medicine. TCM is not only helps to recovery miscarriage but also
be able to prevent it happens again.
There are many symptoms in prenatal health such as morning sickness, back pain, sleep
disorders, heart burn, headache and fatigue etc. In TCM theory, the disorder of qi ( energy and
life elements) courses most problems, hence a treatment on meridians system will bring the
balance back. The body system has to adjust itself to get used to the support of embryology
development, and not every step be easy change. It is quite normal to experience short term
disorder, as long as it not impacts too much on the health of the mom and baby. For those not
very sure about the side effect of certain prenatal drugs, acupuncture and alternative herbal
medicine would be a safer solution, if practiced with qualified therapist.
Exercise in pregnancy is common sense to all, though the TCM has specific energy exercise that
focus on the different period of pregnancy according to the embryology development. Easy and
safe movements in Taichi or qigong will improve the circulation and support labor as well.

2. When the 38 weeks come along with the hope of due date, some mothers maybe faces a breech
or over due delivery. TCM sees the liver and kidney systems are controlling the flow of baby's
development for turning and timing. Moxibustion of burning herb on specific acupuncture
points could help to turn the baby in ideal position for labor and acupuncture and FootTao (TCM
reflexology) could induce the baby in right time. In the past, when caesarian section was not
performed, TCM therapy has saved labor problems plus the pains without epidural. Cervix
dilating can also be helped by acupuncture as the transforming of qi is a key to all problems.
Postnatal health is taken with special care as a tradition in China for thousands years. The mom
and baby will stay in a quite and warm room for a month with family members taking care of
both. Wind, cold, physical work and inappropriate diet will be avoided to guarantee a perfect
wellness. TCM therapy will assist good breast feeding and
nutrition supply for the mom. It is also an important
detoxing period to mend the womb for better wellness.
Weight loss and skin care are common demands from moms
and only inner balance could bring the answer. Herbal tonic
and supplements enjoy good reputation for postnatal
wellness and make the period works as a rejuvenation tour.
Usually a healthy mom will bring a health baby, and the baby
will be empowered by strong immunity for the first year in
the new world. Should there be any concern for the baby,
TCM pediatrics is ready to help with comfortable tuina
(energy bodywork) by working on the energy system with
touch point therapy.