Rest, Rebuild, Balance: Your TCM Guide to Post-Partum Healing
The 4th trimester (the weeks and months after giving birth) is a deeply transformative time, both physically and emotionally.
And yet, it’s often overlooked.
In Chinese culture, the first 40 days are referred to as Zuo Yue Zi or “sitting the month”. During this sacred time, new mothers would stay warm indoors, shielded from wind and cold with minimal visitors or activity. She would be nourished with healing foods, supported with daily care for the baby and be cared for around the clock with meals, herbal soups and rest.
This tradition isn't just about recovery, it's about restoration. Let’s take a deeper dive into why the first month is one of the most crucial times to care for the mother, not just for postpartum healing, but for long-term reproductive health.
TCM Perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, childbirth depletes Qi, Blood and Jing (Essence). Without proper care, this can lead to lingering fatigue, emotional changes, low milk supply and imbalances that persist well beyond the early weeks.
Some common postpartum patterns seen include:
Blood Deficiency
Labour involve significant blood loss. In TCM, blood is essential not just for physical vitality but also for nourishing the mind and grounding emotions.
Common symptoms include dizziness, pale skin, dry hair, anxiety, insomnia, low milk supply.
Qi Deficiency
Birth, sleepless nights, and breastfeeding all drain Qi. If Qi is low, healing slows, energy dips, and the immune system weakens.
Some common symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, weak voice, poor appetite, loose stools or bloating.
Yang Deficiency
Yang is the warmth and active energy of the body. After birth, especially in prolonged labour or C-section, Yang may be diminished leading to coldness and delayed recovery.
Common signs are cold limbs, lower back pain, feeling sluggish and pale tongue.
Liver Qi Stagnation
The Liver governs emotional flow and the free flow of Qi and Blood. Stress, frustration or emotional suppression can cause the Qi to stagnate.
Common signs are mood swings, irritability, neck shoulder tension, breast tenderness, low milk flow or sighing.
How can TCM help?
💞 Emotional Wellbeing
The Heart houses the Shen (your spirit and emotional vitality). You may feel mood swings or irritability, anxiety or feeling emotionally fragile, tearfulness or low mood, a sense of overwhelm or disconnect or difficulty switching off.
TCM works to nourish the Heart, build Blood, calm the Shen, helping you feel more grounded and emotionally supported.
🍼 Breastfeeding Support
Breast milk is a transformation of Blood in TCM. Common imbalances include low milk supply, difficulty with letdown, blocked ducts or engorgement or painful breastfeeding.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine support aims to build Qi and Blood, relieve blockages and promote flow.
💪 Physical changes & Recovery
Postpartum recovery goes beyond just “getting back to normal”. It’s about gently supporting the body as it heals and adjusting to new demands.
Common symptoms experienced can include hair loss or thinning, back or hip pain, mummy’s wrist (pain in thumb/wrist from holding baby), irregular vaginal bleeding or fatigue.
TCM focuses on restoring your Qi and Blood, improving circulation and gently relieving pain or strain.
Transitioning back to work
Returning back to work while caring for a baby is a big emotional and physical shift. In Chinese Medicine, this stage can be supported by nourishing your Qi, calming the Shen, and building resilience from the inside out.
TCM encourages slow, supportive transitions, offering tools like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle guidance to help you feel steady, capable, and cared for as you step into this next phase.
Self care the TCM Way
You don’t have to "bounce back." You just need to be nourished. Here are five TCM-informed ways to support your fourth trimester:
🌿 Eat Warm, Healing Foods
Congee, bone broth, red dates, goji berries, cooked vegetables. Keep meals simple, warming, and nourishing to build Blood and Qi.
🧘♀️ Say Yes to Rest
Even 20 minutes lying down during the day counts. Rest helps Qi regenerate. Let go of the pressure to do it all.
🧦 Keep Your Body Warm
Socks, belly wraps, warm baths all help protect your Yang and prevent cold from entering the body.
🌀 Move Qi Gently
Gentle stretching, deep breathing, or slow walks support the Liver and keep emotions flowing.
💗 Ask for Support
You’ve probably heard, “It takes a village to raise a child”? In TCM, we believe it takes a tribe to support a mother too. You weren’t meant to do this alone. Let you partner, friends, or family help. Whether it’s a meal, a nap, or simply listening, you weren’t meant to do this alone.
Resources & Support
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: National resource for new parents in Australia
PANDA (Post and Antenatal Depression Association Inc.): Postnatal support line:1300 726 306
NGALA: Support for WA parents: (08) 9368 9368 or Country Access at 1800 1111 546.
There is no Deadline for Healing
Whether you are six weeks or six months in, your wellbeing still matters. TCM offers a gentle, nourishing path to restore what’s been lost, balance emotions and guide your body back to harmony.
✨ Feeling depleted, overwhelmed or just not quite yourself?
Book a consultation with a qualified practitioner and let’s support your healing from the inside out.
