EYS M2B

How can TCM help in the last stage of pregnancy?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the balance of Yin and Yang in the body is essential for the maintenance of a healthy body. The extreme fluctuation of hormones in pregnant mothers may disrupt the Yin and Yang balance of the body – Yin as passive nature and Yang as active resulting in emotional extremes.

When subjected to stress and excessive emotional thoughts, the liver which governs emotions in TCM may tense up and stagnation of Qi can occur. Over time, the flow of Qi in the pregnant mother may be disrupted especially in the chest area, leading to feelings of vexation, moodiness, headaches, and other symptoms of depression. At times, heart palpitation, impatience, and other signs of anxiety may also occur. In severe cases, periods of depression may alternate with periods of anxiety.

TCM Takeaways:

In these final strides of our mum and baby journey, it is completely understandable to experience feelings of anxiety, but it is essential not to let such thoughts become overwhelming burdens. Managing emotions is crucial for both the mental well-being of the pregnant mother and the healthy development of the baby in her body.

Seeking strong family support and asking for help, especially from your husband, can greatly benefit the expectant mother. Additionally, listening to calm music not only helps pregnant mothers relax but also provides a nurturing environment for the baby to grow and develop in the mother's body. Remember to stay calm, take deep breaths, and find moments to relax throughout this journey.

Nurturing Natural Birth

While there are different birth delivery methods, opting for natural birth offers many benefits:

Shorter hospital stays

Higher chances of starting breastfeeding immediately

Lower risk of complications

Reduced risk associated with surgery such as cardiac arrest

Faster recovery

TCM supports the natural way of childbirth, explains TCM Physician Jolene Chong, “Mums generally recover faster and easier during vaginal childbirth compared to caesarean childbirth in terms of weeks versus months. Ladies who go through vaginal childbirth can resume normal movement one to two days after labour. They also tend to lose less blood during labour compared to caesarean childbirths.”

Here are some tips to embrace natural birth:

Attend childbirth education classes. This can help you gain tips to manage pain, anxiety, and stress, making you feel more confident and prepared for a natural birth.
Practice relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, visualisation, and meditation may help you cope with the experience of labour and delivery.
Stay active and healthy during pregnancy. Regular exercises such as walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, and a healthy diet help prepare your body for birth.
Use positions and movements that promote progress during labour, such as walking and squatting.
Create a birth plan that outlines your labour and delivery preferences, so your healthcare provider knows your priorities.
Choose a healthcare provider who is supportive of natural birth. This will help you feel confident in your doctor’s ability to guide you through the process.
Avoid unnecessary medical interventions such as induction or continuous foetal monitoring since this may increase the risk of a C-section.
Relax and trust your body’s ability to give birth. Know that natural birth is safe but be open to the possibility of interventions or a change of plan if it’s needed for medical reasons. The health and safety of you and your baby are of utmost importance.

TCM Herbal Remedies

A qualified TCM practitioner usually prescribes these remedies to help prevent childbirth complications. Consult a licensed TCM physician to ensure any remedies you take will suit you and your body constitution:

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (补中益气汤):
Replenishes core energy for pregnant women and helps hold the organs in place during the strenuous pushing process.

Gan Mai Da Zao Tang (甘麦大枣汤):
Prepares pregnant women mentally. “It has the ability to calm the mind and spirit, allowing her to take things in her stride and at a pace which her body can accept. She’ll be able to cooperate well with her doctors and nurses and listen to her body better to process the delivery well without panicking in the delivery room,” explains Physician Chong.

Gui Pi Tang (归脾汤):
Builds up Spleen qi and helps stop bleeding fast. “Excessive bleeding during labour is also a common childbirth complication. In TCM, the Spleen controls blood flow and prevents excessive bleeding,” notes Physician Chong.

Bird’s Nest:
Rich in digestible proteins and other nutrients for both mother and child. It promotes a healthy Spleen, Stomach, and Lungs, and harmonises the body.

If you’re an expectant mother and weighing your delivery options, you may consider a natural birth. Taking the time to prepare yourself mentally and physically can make a world of difference in your overall birthing experience.

Check with your healthcare provider to develop a birth plan that aligns with your goals and preferences.

Pregnancy Beauty Ups and Downs and How TCM Can Help

Pigmentation

During pregnancy, existing freckles and moles may darken with the increased melanin deposits under the skin. Sometimes, melasma or pregnancy masks may appear on the cheek, forehead, nose, and chin areas. It is believed that such pigmentation is stimulated by the changes in the female hormonal level during pregnancy.

To reduce the appearance of pigmentation, the use of broad-spectrum sunblock on the face is highly encouraged. Pregnant mothers should also avoid direct sunlight to minimise further accumulation of melanin and dark shades. When going for products with SPF, you may choose those with at least SPF 15 to 20.

These pigmentations usually disappear after delivery.

Acne

Most pregnant mothers sweat more during pregnancy as their sweat glands become more active with the increase in their metabolic rate. At the same time, their oil gland may get overactive and secrete even more oil into the skin causing a more frequent outbreak of acne. This is often due to the hormonal change in the body during pregnancy and worsened by emotional stress.

The increase in oil and sweat secretion during pregnancy may be viewed as a form of dampness in TCM that can lead to various skin issues and rashes especially with the accumulation of toxins. Pregnant mothers should stay hydrated and eat a sufficient supply of fruits and vegetables to help in the clearance of body toxins and for detoxification. This will help to ensure that the skin remains clear and refreshed during pregnancy.

Importantly, mums must maintain good hygiene and keep their bodies clean at all times.

Blood Vessel Changes

With the increase in blood flow to the face, possibly due to the extra pump of blood around the body for the increased need for blood in the uterus and vital organs, pregnant mothers may experience a “pregnant glow” which appears as a radiant blush on the face. The increase in facial oil secretion further adds to this attractive blush during pregnancy.

However, other changes in blood vessels may pose concerns over their physical appearance as well. Palmar erythema, or redness of the palm may occur in some pregnancy while in other cases, the increase in pressure against the blood vessels may also lead to venous varicosities of the legs, or the appearance of “spider veins” around the face and chest. At times, the lower limbs may feel swollen with water retention.

In TCM, during pregnancy, extra blood and Qi is channelled to the mother’s womb for the development of the baby. Those with a weaker Kidney and Spleen body constitution may experience water retention especially in the lower limbs or fluffy face due to the inability of the body to distribute the water evenly in the body. Emotional stress may further hinder this flow of fluid in the body with added stagnation to the flow of Qi within the body. For these mothers, they can slightly lift their legs and rest on a pillow while sleeping to help ease the fluid flow and clearance from the lower limbs and reduce swelling and decrease the risk of developing varicose veins in the lower limbs.

Stretch Marks

8 to 9 out of 10 pregnant mothers develop stretch marks during pregnancy. As the tummy gets bigger, narrow, streak-like lines can develop on the surface of the skin. These lines may form in the tummy, breasts, thighs and in the groyne area. These stretch marks may fade after delivery, but might stay permanent making the tiger stripes part of the motherhood journey. Proper skin care can help reduce stretch marks in pregnant mothers. The use of moisturising cream not only prevents itching, but also moisturises the skin and keeps it soft and supple. You may wish to go for the vitamin E-based cream or lotion and massage it into your skin twice a day or those with lightning effects such as Vitamin C and other antioxidants to reduce the dark shades as well.

TCM Physician Tiang Sack Sing explains that stretch marks are caused by pregnancy endocrine changes when the skin experiences stretching and internal tearing.

“The skin continues to stretch with the increase of foetal growth and weight. When the skin is overstretched to the point of exceeding the normal limit, the dermal connective tissue, elastic and collagen fibres will be damaged, resulting in stretch marks that look like streaks,” she says.