Post-Natal Recovery - “The art of asking for help”

In the month following his birth, we followed the Chinese principles of "Postpartum Confinement" or "Sitting the Month", as best as we could. This is a one month period (sometimes longer) of total rest to allow for the best possible recovery after childbirth.

This meant no trips to the supermarket (hooray!), sleeping as much as possible (hooray!) and generally having a month-long pyjama party. I ate nourishing foods and herbs that are traditionally used to strengthen blood and qi, such as chicken soup and bone broths, and basically left all the chores and everything else to others (including the dishes — again hooray!).

It is hard to ask for help; however, if I was ever going to do it, this one month was the time. It became apparent quite quickly that when babies are involved everyone actually wants to help. We were fortunate to have family and friends who dropped off food every now and then and helped out by walking our dog.

"This practice shows that pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period are not considered 'business as usual'"

The aim of this month is to support recovery from childbirth, support lactation and bonding, and to give the body the best chance of coming through the postpartum period well. In fact, it is said in Chinese Medicine philosophy that this is a particularly significant window for a woman's long-term health — that patterns of health can shift considerably in either direction during this time.

There are some finer traditional principles to the practice that we can adapt to our modern Australian world.

• I did shower and wash my hair a few times (definitely no cold, wet hair allowed).

• I did avoid draughts and cold breezes.

• I did eat plenty of chicken soup and only ate warm foods and drinks.

• I did get out of bed and venture out into the garden once or twice, however only on warm, still days.

• We did have a small number of visitors, though it was not my job to cook for or entertain them.

• My mother-in-law did not stay for a month and provide all of the care. This was entrusted to a mixture of help from family and friends.

I won't say it was always easy. There were times when the bulk of the work ended up resting with my husband, even with all the help we received.

"a healthy, happy mother makes for a healthy, happy family"

So how did I feel?

My experience is far from scientific research, but I remember I did actually feel very well rested and recovered, and I could get through the day without naps (mostly). Although in China and surrounding countries you would find a much stricter experience (no visitors, no showers, staying in bed), I think it is important to consider the basis of such postpartum practices and to find what aspects we can adopt here in Australia.

The important take-away from this practice is that it shows us that pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period are not considered 'business as usual'. It is exhausting creating human life, and a healthy, happy mother makes for a healthy, happy family. By resting and focusing on a proper and thorough recovery, we give the body the best chance to rebuild. Rather than waiting until you are unwell, exhausted or struggling, the idea is to look after yourself early.

So needless to say, my pre-baby body was a long way off and I was definitely not on top of things. But I wasn't supposed to be. I was supposed to be engrossed in a little human's smile and smell, and that was about it.

If you are pregnant or newly postpartum and would like support through this period we are always happy to have a conversation about what Chinese medicine can offer alongside your GP, midwife or child health nurse care.

Dr. Renee Knott (BaChM)

With over two decades of experience, Renee uses acupuncture, Chinese herbs, diet and lifestyle strategies to support the health and wellbeing of her patients and family.