Enhancing Postpartum Recovery

By Josie Zhou

Hi my name is Josie Zhuo. I come from a family of four generations of Chinese Medicine practitioners. For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has emphasized the importance of postpartum care, especially the first month after the birth of a baby, in bringing the transformation of a woman’s health to a better stage. 

According to TCM, there are three major energy transformational periods in a woman’s life:

     1. The first menses

     2. The first month after birth

     3. Menopause

During these energy transformational periods, if a woman takes good care of herself, she can prevent greater health problems later in life.

This is a picture of a woman who has a good postpartum recovery: Her skin is shinning.  The abundance of energy within radiates through her eyes.  Her smile is content.  Her steps are light even though her shape is still bigger than before pregnancy. However, in my Chinese Medicine practice, I have seen many postpartum women who look pale, are exhausted and suffering from joint pain. [read more]

Postpartum Massage & Bodywork
Julie Morse, LMP

During the time after giving birth, a woman can experience many physiological and emotional changes like; exhilaration, joy, fatigue, and sometimes sadness or disappointment. [read more]

After the Baby Comes - Postpartum Yoga
By Colette Crawford

Many eastern cultures believe how you restore your energy during the early postpartum time can affect your physical and emotional wellbeing in later years. The first month after birth, create a sacred space for you, your partner and newborn. Do less work and socializing. Do more sleeping and snuggling with your baby. You, your baby, and other family members will feel much better and you will be less likely to crash from exhaustion.

Yoga is always available to you if you bring awareness to your breath. You can practice breath awareness any time - while feeding your baby, doing dishes, or taking a bath. Later when you have more time and energy you can do a short practice. Here are a few poses that you can practice with or without your baby by your side. [read more]

Babies Naturally
By Bette Lamont

Consider deeply the fact that the newborn infant has everything it needs to organize a brain and body to its full potential. Consider how you, as parents and other adults in the child's life, can learn to create the best possible environment that supports this child's unfolding mind and complex brain. [ read more ]

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