Postpartum & Chinese Medicine: how to prepare for the sacred (and Slightly Messy) window after birth

There’s an old saying in Chinese medicine: “Sit the month, nourish for the lifetime.” 

It basically means, “Hey gorgeous, this is not the time to bounce back or host visitors with a newborn strapped to your chest while serving homemade banana bread.”

The postpartum window, especially the first 40 days is considered a sacred time to rest, repair, and replenish after the marathon that is birth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this phase is known as zuo yue zi, or “sitting the month.” And no, it doesn't mean you have to literally sit still (although, if someone offered you a warm meal while you breastfeed in a robe you haven’t taken off in three days… you say yes).

Why Postpartum Care Matters in Chinese Medicine

From a TCM perspective, birth depletes your Qi (vital energy) and Blood (capital B because it’s a big deal).

Think: you just grew a human, pushed (or had help pulling) them out, and now you’re expected to be emotionally stable, make Pinterest-worthy lunches, and keep houseplants alive?

Not today, capitalism.

Instead, Chinese medicine gently nudges us toward replenishing our reserves with warmth, rest, nourishment, and support. Because this window – the one where you're weepy, dreamy, bleeding, bonding, and possibly googling “how to swaddle” at 2 a.m. is actually a golden opportunity to set up your long-term health.

If you haven’t read The First Forty Days by Heng Ou, pop it on your baby registry now. It’s a beautiful blend of ancient wisdom and modern mama practicality. It reminds us that postpartum care is not a luxury – it’s an act of rebellion in a world that glorifies productivity over healing.

And while we can’t all have live-in grandmothers brewing bone broth around the clock, we can prepare in ways that feel intentional, supported, and nourishing.

In Chinese medicine, childbirth is not just “a thing you do.” Nope. It’s a huge life event, a gateway moment, like opening the door to a new season. It’s where everything you’ve been building all that precious Blood, Qi (that’s your energy), and essence gets used up in the grand finale that is labor and delivery. And trust me, the body knows it’s been through a marathon, so you’ve got to help it recharge.

So, here’s why you need to make recovery a priority... like, yesterday.

1. Your Blood & Qi Are Running on Empty

Okay, so here’s the deal: during pregnancy, your body gets a VIP pass to the “blood and energy buffet.” But then, boom, you give birth and it’s like all-you-can-eat got shut down early. Aaaaand now you’re feeling the consequences.

The thing is, if you don’t rest and replenish afterward, you’ll be running on fumes for the long haul.

What you might experience if you don’t get enough rest:

• Chronic fatigue (sigh)

• Hair loss (cue the shedding)

• Hormonal imbalances (hello, mood swings)

• Low libido (not that you’re thinking about that right now, but still)

• Irregular or painful periods (boo)

• Trouble getting pregnant again (trust me, your future self will thank you for taking care of the now)

So yeah, replenish that energy, stat.

2. You’re "Open" Postpartum (Not in the Cool ‘Opening Night’ Kind of Way)

Now, don’t get freaked out, but post-birth, your body is considered “open.” No, I’m not talking about your emotional state (though, let’s be real, that’s definitely happening) it’s more about the fact that your body’s channels, pores, and organs are highly susceptible to external influences. That means wind, cold, and stress can mess with your recovery.

So, no cold showers or ice-cold smoothies for you, lady. It’s all about warmth and coziness. Think hot tea, heated blankets, and a well-stocked fridge of nutrient-packed soups.

What happens if you get too chilly too soon:

• Body aches (you’re already sore enough, thanks)

• Cramps and digestive issues (hello, bloating)

• Immune system dips (it’s hard enough to fend off the flu when you’re feeling 100%)

• General “I don’t feel like myself” vibes

  
  

3. Your Organs Need TLC ...Yes, Even the Liver

In Chinese medicine, the Liver is kind of a big deal. It’s responsible for blood flow, emotional regulation, and keeping your energy moving smoothly. But guess what? Childbirth can throw a monkey wrench in all that.

When you don’t rest enough, your Liver starts throwing tantrums. You might feel irritable, restless, or just plain over it. On top of that, your Heart (which houses your Shen, or spirit) and your Spleen (which keeps your digestion in check) need support too. Otherwise, you’re looking at fatigue, anxiety, bloating, and… let’s be honest, a little bit of “please help me get through the day” energy.

Not taking care of this?

• Postnatal anxiety or depression

• PMS that hits like a freight train

• Digestive drama (seriously, your stomach doesn’t need more of a mess right now)

• Disconnected or exhausted feelings

• Unstoppable tears over a cute baby outfit you just can’t find

  
  

4. You’re Building the Foundation for Your Next 7 Years of Health

Yes, you read that right. In Chinese medicine, your body works on seven-year cycles. Your postpartum period is like the first brick of the building. If you take care of yourself during these first 40 days, you’re setting up for long-term health and well-being. If you rush through it and pretend you’re fine? That’s when chronic health issues can start to creep in.

Not trying to scare you but just think of it like this: you’re not just doing this for the now, you’re doing it for future-you, who’s going to be running around trying to manage a career, kids, and, well, life. Give yourself a solid foundation.

5. Postpartum is the Ultimate Act of Preventative Medicine

Postpartum isn’t just about dealing with the immediate aftermath. It’s like your body’s insurance policy against future issues. Chinese medicine doesn’t wait for symptoms to scream at you. It says, let’s prevent the problem before it even shows up. Putting in the effort now will pay off later in healthier cycles, fewer mood swings, and a stronger immune system.

So let’s get real: here are five super practical (and a little soulful) things you can do before baby arrives to actually enjoy your postpartum, not just survive it.

1. Organise a Food Train (Because You Can’t Live on Toast Alone)

When your hands are full of baby (and probably a boob), the last thing you want to do is chop carrots. Ask your village to sign up for a meal roster, you can use apps like Meal Train, or just wrangle a Google Sheet and tell people exactly what you like.

TCM tip: Think warm, easy-to-digest, blood-building foods. Soups, congee, stews, slow-cooked meats, nourishing grains, ginger everything. Skip the cold smoothies and raw salads – your digestion will thank you.

2. Stock the Freezer Like It’s a Netflix Apocalypse

Get batch cooking now, future you will be obsessed with how kind past you was. Focus on things that heat well and nourish deeply ... think lamb and sweet potato stew, ginger chicken congee, red lentil dahl, and healing broths.

Bonus points for adding bliss balls, lactation cookies, and herbal teas to your stash. Label them. Date them. Hide the good ones from your partner (you’re the one who did the pushing, remember?).

3. Assemble Your Dream Team (This is Your Motherhood Entourage)

The truth is, support doesn’t magically appear when the baby does. Line up your people before the sleep deprivation sets in.

Who to call:

• Lactation consultant

• Chinese medicine practitioner (we do magic for milk supply, anxiety, and hormones, FYI)

• Postpartum doula

• Pelvic floor physio

• Someone who brings snacks and doesn’t overstay their welcome

You don’t need 100 well-meaning visitors. You need 3 people who make you feel safe, seen, and supported.

4. Create Your Postpartum Nest (AKA A Cozy Cave of Healing)

Forget the fancy nursery. You need a soft, quiet, nurturing place where you can recover. Set up a little station next to your bed or couch:

• Nipple balm, heat pack, peri bottle

• Snacks and herbal teas

• Phone charger (because you’ll definitely fall down a 3 a.m. Reddit rabbit hole)

• Baby stuff, yes – but also you stuff

And please wear the robe. No one is judging you. You made a human.

5. Have the ‘Here’s What I Need’ Conversation (It’s Not Selfish, It’s Smart)

Before baby comes, sit down with your partner or support crew and get honest. What does postpartum actually look like for you? How do you want to be supported? What boundaries do you want around visitors, housework, or social media?

Remember: you are not hosting a party. You are healing a body, navigating new hormones, and learning to love a tiny stranger.

Chinese Medicine: The unsug hero of postpartum recovery

Chinese medicine doesn’t just help you recover – it celebrates this transition. Here’s how it supports you:

• Acupuncture for hormone balancing, milk supply, emotional wellbeing, and recovery from birth trauma

• Herbal formulas to rebuild blood, strengthen the uterus, and boost energy

• Moxibustion (aka warming your womb with mugwort) to support healing and digestion

• Diet therapy that uses food as medicine, specific to your constitution

• Emotional care to honour your transformation into a mother

  
  

Even if you didn’t prep a thing, coming in for a postpartum treatment (or three) can change the game. Think: less anxiety, better sleep, smoother recovery, and finally feeling like yourself again.

It’s easy to pour all your love into your baby. But here’s the wild idea: you matter just as much. Your healing, your nourishment, your rest ... they are not optional.

Postpartum isn’t a race to bounce back. It’s a time to sink in, go slow, and remember that you just did something extraordinary. Let people care for you. Let meals be delivered. Let the dishes sit.

And if you need someone to help hold you through this season body, mind, and spirit – we’re here for that.