Embracing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Postpartum Recovery: A New Mom's Healing Journey
By Dr. Giselle Foss, D.C., L.Ac.
Applying TCM in Postpartum Recovery
My name is Giselle, a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner at Acuworx. I recently gave birth and wanted to share my postpartum journey and how TCM has helped with my recovery.
For most of my life I struggled with painful and irregular periods and came to acupuncture for support. I quickly found that this was the only form of care that actually helped and made the decision to become an acupuncturist to help other women struggling in a similar capacity. The reason I became a TCM practitioner was because of how I could apply it to every aspect of women’s health.
As I transitioned into a different phase of my life and went through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, I was able to apply the principles of TCM to this new experience.
Like a lot of things in life, my pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experiences were not at all like I had planned. If you were my patient during the time of my pregnancy, you probably know how sick I was. I had a genetic condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a pregnancy complication that causes severe nausea and vomiting. I had to rely on the care of Western Medicine. Though I could not utilize TCM to the capacity I wish I could have during my pregnancy, I turned back to the medicine for my postpartum period.
In my hospital bag, I packed two TCM herbal formulas with me to use immediately after having my daughter. The first herbal formula was to help recover the blood lost in childbirth and the second formula was to support my TCM Kidneys. In traditional Chinese medicine, the kidney is viewed as a functional concept instead of an anatomical organ. In Western Medicine, the Kidney Organ is in charge of blood filtration, fluid balance, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure regulation. In TCM, the Kidney governs things such as the storage of our “Jing” or our vital essence that is essential for growth, development, and reproduction, which is why it is crucial to support during the postpartum period. I continued to use these formulas for the next 2 weeks and then switched to a quality iron supplement to continue to nourish my blood.
I returned to work at Acuworx at only 8 weeks postpartum. I wholeheartedly believe that I was able to both return and feel so good returning to work this early because of the way I took care of myself during the delicate time of initial postpartum. All of the little things I did to care for myself were not told to me in the hospital or by any obstetrician gynecologist or midwife, it came from my TCM training.
As far as working with a 9 week old baby, of course it is hard. I miss her every second I am with my patients, but my love for what I do as well as how happy it makes me to be back on my feet helping people makes it worth it. I value my health and because of this, I only work 2 days a week. The other 5 I am with my daughter making sure she develops a secure attachment style to me.
I know it seems wild that I am working so freshly postpartum, but I carry the same principles with me at work as I do at home: I take my iron when I start my shift. I eat warm, hearty meals after pumping. I take time to rest and breathe between patients.
I am so grateful to have the knowledge of TCM that I do because it has allowed me to return to do what I love way quicker than most. I hope my own journey shines a light on the importance of TCM. I work to help other women and people with their full health journey!