October 15th was International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day. As anyone who has ever lost a child though miscarriage knows, it’s a very bittersweet day. On the one hand, it’s a day to publicly acknowledge what you have lost, especially when there is often so much silence around miscarriage. On the other hand, the truth can hit home hard; the little person you had so many hopes, aspirations, and fierce love for, is gone.
A mother’s mental health post miscarriage is increasingly being addressed which is an enormous step forward on the ‘sweep everything under the carpet’ attitudes of decades gone past but curiously there is less medical support beyond a D&C if necessary. A mother is encouraged to get on with it but also, vaguely to rest and ‘try again’.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a mother’s mental and physical well-being is taken very seriously with special meals and soups prescribed to help a mother. According to TCM, a miscarriage is often thought to be an imbalance in the body’s Yin and Yang affecting the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood (stasis). This imbalance leads to dysfunction in the internal organs, particularly the Kidney, Spleen, and Liver. The fundamental TCM approach to miscarriage recovery is to eliminate stasis, thereby generating new tissue, tonifying deficiencies and consolidating the root of the body by restoring and nourishing the body through therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary changes to support physical healing and prepare the body for future conception.
TCM for Miscarriage Recovery
As mentioned, TCM focuses on restoring balance and nourishment to the body after a miscarriage. These are the remedies commonly prescribed:
Acupuncture
This therapy can help to move stagnant blood and promote healing and recovery after miscarriage.
Herbal Medicine
TCM practitioners prescribe herbal formulas to replenish lost Qi and blood, regulate hormonal balance, and support the uterus’s recovery.
Dietary Therapy
Specific foods, such as those rich in iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B6 (found in liver, spinach, and beans), are recommended to aid in recovery and replenish essential nutrients. You can look for companies that help prepare meals with these foods in mind.
Nicole Chien a leading TCM expert and herbal nutritionist and the Founder of Women’s Health care company Taste for Life in Australia and New Zealand recommends a concentrated soup made with quality superfoods such as black bean, kelp, beetroot, and herbs. “We use advanced food technology to produce our herbal soups to maximise their healing properties while our high-pressure processing extraction methods optimise not only the nutrition level but also the taste,” says Nicole.
Glutinous Rice Water is another of her tips – it is a health drink full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Warm Red Date Tea is another must. Red date contains the polysaccharide Zizyphus-pectin A. It is a good source of many nutrients, including vitamin C which is essential for a healthy reproductive system in both men and women. For women, vitamin C boosts fertility and improves hormone levels.
Preparation for Future Pregnancies
The goal of TCM treatment after a miscarriage is to create a healthy and balanced foundation for future conception. This involves:
- Clearing the Uterus: Ensuring the uterus is free from any lingering stagnant blood.
- Nourishing Qi and Blood: Replenishing vital energy and blood that were depleted during pregnancy and loss.
- Regulating Hormonal Balance: Supporting the return of regular ovulation and menstrual cycles.
- Emotional Support: Acknowledging and allowing space for the processing of emotional distress and grief.
For more miscarriage recovery information go to: https://tasteforlifeaustralia.com.au/en/pages/miscarriage-recovery