Healthy Pregnancy: What We Can Learn from TCM

If living in China is an exciting chapter in your life, then having your baby here is a veritable adventure. Seeing as you're in this wonderful country that has such a rich and ancient medical tradition, you may as well understand what traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has to say about pregnancy. Beijing United Family (BJU) TCM Physician Dr. Lang Cai explains more.

For normal, healthy, pregnant women, no TCM medicines are recommended, as TCM medicine is only used to treat imbalances in the body. If imbalances occur in pregnant women, they may experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, or other painful conditions that are commonly seen in the clinic. For these conditions, mild TCM herbal remedies or acupuncture may be recommended, as Western medicine has limited remedies to offer during pregnancy. While some TCM practices can help you throughout your pregnancy, others are best avoided – especially in first three months, when they may have negative effects on the pregnancy. These include acupuncture, massage, cupping, and especially anything that works on pressure points on the lower back. There are also some strong TCM herbal remedies that should be taken with caution, including TCM herbs that promote circulation or relieve constipation, as these might cause miscarriages or cause harm to the embryo. When it comes to maintaining good health throughout your pregnancy, Chinese medicine also has a few principles to offer. 

Good nutrition

Pay great attention to balancing the diet with a wide variety of nutrients, especially high-quality protein like eggs, fish, and nuts. This is key because, during this special period of time, both the mother and baby require good nutrition, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy. This is when vital organs and the nervous system are developing, and this development demands the support of good nutrients. Sound nutrition for pregnant women from the very beginning will greatly benefit the health of both the baby and the mother.Avoid stress

As many of us may know, stress affects the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system, which in turn has an effect on our hormone balance. That’s why stress is harmful to a developing embryo. Try to take it easy and add practices like yoga or meditation to your routine if you have difficulty relaxing. Proper resting and mild exercise

During pregnancy, the body demands extra energy, and it's easy to get tired out. To preserve energy, it's important to rest to keep the body functioning well. Mild exercise can help foster more energy, which in turn will benefit your pregnancy. 

Dr. Lang Cai is a TCM physician who has worked in Germany and the UK. To make an appointment with her, call the BJU Service Center at 4008-919191.

• Getting ready to get pregnant? BJU's Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Dalice Marriott explains how to prepare mentally and physically.

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• Curious about color ultrasounds? Learn more here.