Pregnancy and Fertility from the Perspective of TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine can support you with your desire for children, pregnancy, and childbirth preparation. In TCM, natural ovulation and the course of pregnancy depend on blood and kidney essence, as well as healthy liver Qi. Disharmonies in any of these areas can lead to absent or irregular ovulation or to undesirable symptoms during pregnancy. Below are the most common issues we treat in practice.
Pregnancy:
Pregnancy Support
After fertilisation, the woman’s blood and Yin accumulate in the Chong Mai and Ren Mai meridians to nourish the developing fetus. As a result, the mother experiences a relative deficiency in blood and Yin, with Yang becoming relatively hyperactive. Rising Liver Yang or Liver Wind can manifest as a sensation of heat, migraines, or pre-eclampsia. Additionally, rebellious Qi can lead to nausea, while Qi stagnation can result in shortness of breath. The therapist directs the rising Yang away so that these symptoms either do not manifest or are alleviated.
Nausea in Pregnancy
In TCM, there are several different causes for nausea during pregnancy. Deficiencies in Stomach and Spleen Qi, imbalances in the Liver meridian, and the Kidney organ system can contribute to the symptoms. A weakness in the Stomach meridian can cause blood and Qi to flow backward in the Chong Mai meridian, leading to nausea and vomiting. Weakness in Kidney Yin can result in rising Yang, which can also cause the backward flow of Stomach Qi. Additionally, stagnation in Liver Qi can push Stomach Qi upwards.
Backpain in Pregnancy
In pregnancy, lumbosacral pain is understood in TCM as stagnation of blood and Qi on the basis of a deficiency in Kidney Qi. Cold and dampness can contribute to the symptoms. During pregnancy, the therapist focuses on tonifying Kidney Yin or Yang.
Reflux / Heartburn in Pregnancy
Heartburn corresponds to the pattern of Stomach Heat, retention of food in the stomach, or rebellious Stomach Qi. Often, a Spleen Qi deficiency exacerbates the condition. The therapist will guide the rebellious Qi downward and calm the stomach.
Constipation in Pregnancy
Constipation during pregnancy can be the result of a deficiency in blood and Yin, as well as Qi stagnation and heat patterns.
Haemorrhoids in Pregnancy
In TCM, the symptoms are associated with Spleen deficiency and declining Spleen Qi. Itching, discharge, and bleeding are attributed to patterns of dampness and heat. The therapy should focus on strengthening the Spleen meridian.
Varicose Veins in Pregnancy
Varicose veins may indicate an underlying weakness in Zhong Qi and Spleen Qi. Stagnation of blood and Qi can also be involved in the pattern of disharmony. The therapist will make an individual diagnosis tailored to your needs and patterns of disharmony.
Infertility:
Female Infertility
Fertility treatment can take place alongside a program at a fertility clinic. Through acupuncture, dietetics, and herbal medicine, the body is brought into its natural balance and optimally prepared for conception. Fertility treatment should ideally begin about three months before conception. It is advisable to continue the therapy during the desire for children and pregnancy to balance and prevent disharmonies in the body.
Male Infertility
In Chinese medicine, a man’s semen is composed of Kidney essence. In cases of low sperm count, Chinese medicine tonifies and strengthens the Kidney, Ren Mai, and Du Mai meridians, as well as the Yang aspect of the Kidney organ system. Treatment should ideally begin about three months before the planned conception.
Preparation for the Birth:
Preparation
In my practice, I use acupuncture as an effective method for childbirth preparation, as it can help prepare the uterus for the upcoming birth. A study in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology suggests that regular acupuncture sessions during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of a normal delivery by promoting labour activity and shortening the duration of labour.
Locations:
London: TBC
Düsseldorf (Oberkassel): Wildenbruchstrasse 115, 40545 Düsseldorf
Essen (Kettwig): Hauptstrasse 54, 45219 Essen
E-mail:
clinic@jasminreif.com
Phone:
UK: +44 7879 982 175
GER: +49 1523 61 96 135