Postnatal Support: Healing and Rejuvenating After Birth
The first 40 days after childbirth are crucial for a mother’s recovery, offering a vital window for restoration and rejuvenation according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This period is often referred to as the “Fourth Trimester,” and in TCM, it is believed that a woman’s energy, or Qi, is particularly vulnerable after childbirth. Proper care during this time is essential for rebuilding the body’s strength, promoting emotional stability, and preparing for long-term health. Rest is paramount, and taking the time to deeply nourish the body in these early days will help you feel stronger and more resilient later.
At The Violette House in Groton, MA, we emphasize the importance of proper postnatal care, offering acupuncture, herbal therapy, and lifestyle recommendations to guide mothers through this essential period of rest and recovery. Embracing the first 40 days as a time to truly focus on healing, nourishing, and bonding with your baby is one of the best ways to lay the foundation for lasting well-being.
The 5-5-5 Rule: A Guide for Postpartum Rest
One of the guiding principles of postnatal care in TCM is the 5-5-5 rule, a framework that encourages mothers to take things slowly during the first 40 days after childbirth. This rule offers a simple, yet highly effective, guideline for postpartum recovery and nourishment:
5 Days in Bed: The first five days are crucial for deep rest. After childbirth, the body has gone through significant physical stress, and it is important to give yourself time to heal. During this period, stay in bed as much as possible. This doesn’t mean you have to be completely immobile, but it is essential to limit your activities to the minimum and allow your body the time it needs to begin its healing process. Being in bed provides the perfect environment to rest, relax, and focus on recovery without distractions. Allow yourself this time to bond with your baby and adjust to your new life without worrying about external tasks.
5 Days On the Bed: After the first five days, you can gradually start to get up and move around, but still spend most of your time on the bed. This is a time to slowly ease into more activity, but always with the intention of maintaining rest. At this stage, you might feel more energy returning, but it's essential to listen to your body and resist the urge to overexert yourself. You may feel tempted to take on household chores or social responsibilities, but focusing on rest and self-care is still your primary task during these first 10 days. The idea is to remain as relaxed and stress-free as possible to allow your body to continue its recovery.
5 Days Near the Bed: In the final phase of the 5-5-5 rule, after about 10 days, you can begin to get up and move around more freely, but still stay near your bed. This allows you to gradually reintroduce light activities, such as gentle stretching, taking short walks around the house, or spending time with family. However, it’s still important to take frequent breaks and prioritize rest during this phase. The goal is to gradually transition back to a more active lifestyle without rushing the recovery process.
Following this 5-5-5 rule helps ensure that you’re not overexerting yourself too soon after childbirth. By focusing on deep rest and nurturing your body’s recovery, you allow your energy to be fully restored, preparing you for the demands of motherhood in the months to come. This period of rest is essential for balancing hormones, rebuilding energy, and laying a strong foundation for long-term health.
The Importance of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Postpartum Healing
Acupuncture plays a key role in supporting a mother’s recovery during the postnatal period. It helps restore the body’s energy and balance while alleviating common physical and emotional challenges faced by new mothers. Acupuncture helps with everything from healing the uterus to managing fatigue and anxiety, and it can begin as early as a few days after birth.
Some of the benefits of acupuncture during the postpartum period include:
Supporting Lactation: Acupuncture helps stimulate milk production and supports a healthy milk supply for breastfeeding.
Healing the Uterus: After childbirth, acupuncture promotes the contraction of the uterus to help it return to its pre-pregnancy size and function.
Reducing Postpartum Depression: Acupuncture helps harmonize the body’s energy and supports the nervous system, making it highly effective for treating postpartum mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Alleviating Fatigue: After the demands of childbirth, new mothers often experience significant fatigue. Acupuncture restores energy, reduces exhaustion, and promotes vitality.
Balancing Hormones: Acupuncture helps restore hormonal equilibrium after childbirth, which is essential for overall emotional and physical well-being.
Mother Roasting & The Closing of the Bones
In addition to acupuncture, other traditional healing practices, such as Mother Roasting and The Closing of the Bones, play an important role in postpartum recovery.
Mother Roasting: This traditional TCM practice involves the use of moxibustion, where mugwort (moxa) is burned over acupuncture points on the lower abdomen and lower back. The heat helps circulate energy, improve blood flow, and support the recovery of the uterus and pelvic area. Moxibustion during the early postnatal period can help relieve pain, reduce swelling, and promote overall healing by stimulating the body’s natural processes.
The Closing of the Bones: During pregnancy, the body undergoes significant physical changes, especially in the pelvic area. After childbirth, the pelvis is left “open,” and it’s important to help close and realign it. The Closing of the Bones ritual involves gentle massage and bodywork to realign the pelvic bones and restore balance to the body. This practice helps ensure proper energy flow, reduce pain, and promote a sense of stability and grounding.
Nutrition & Lifestyle: The Foundation for Postpartum Healing
At The Violette House, we believe that postpartum recovery is deeply influenced by both nourishment and rest. While acupuncture, herbal therapy, and traditional healing practices play a crucial role, nutrition is the foundation for rebuilding strength, balancing hormones, and supporting lactation. The first 40 days after childbirth provide a unique opportunity to restore your body through deeply nourishing foods and intentional self-care.
The Healing Power of Warm, Nutrient-Dense Foods
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the postpartum body is considered open and vulnerable, requiring warmth, rest, and replenishment. Eating easily digestible, warming foods supports digestion, restores Qi and Blood, and promotes overall recovery. Cold or raw foods—such as salads, iced drinks, and processed snacks—are discouraged, as they can slow healing and weaken digestion.
Key Nutrients & Foods for Postpartum Recovery
1. Blood Replenishment: Iron & Protein
Childbirth results in Blood and Qi loss, making iron-rich and protein-packed foods essential for recovery. These nutrients help rebuild tissues, strengthen muscles, and restore vitality.
Bone broth – A deeply nourishing staple, packed with collagen, gelatin, and minerals for postpartum healing.
Dark leafy greens (spinach, bok choy, kale) – Rich in iron and essential vitamins for blood-building.
Red meat & organ meats (beef, liver) – Excellent sources of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed than plant-based iron.
Eggs – A great source of protein, iron, and healthy fats for sustained energy.
Black sesame seeds & black beans – In TCM, black foods support Blood and Kidney energy, crucial for postpartum strength.
2. Digestive Support: Warming & Easy-to-Digest Foods
Postpartum digestion can be weaker, so foods should be cooked, soft, and nourishing to optimize nutrient absorption.
Congee (rice porridge) – A gentle, warming dish that’s easy on digestion and often prepared with healing herbs like ginger.
Ginger – Helps warm the body, promote circulation, and dispel cold from the uterus.
Sweet potatoes & squash – Naturally energizing, high in fiber, and easy to digest.
Fennel & cumin seeds – Aid digestion and reduce bloating, commonly added to teas or broths.
3. Qi & Energy Restoration: Nourishing Carbohydrates & Fats
Fatigue is one of the most common postpartum challenges. Consuming nutrient-dense, slow-burning carbohydrates and healthy fats provides sustained energy without taxing digestion.
Oats – Stabilize blood sugar, support digestion, and enhance milk production.
Brown rice & millet – Provide slow-releasing energy without overburdening digestion.
Ghee & coconut oil – Support hormone balance and boost metabolism.
Avocados & nuts – Rich in essential fatty acids, crucial for postpartum recovery and brain function.
4. Lactation Support: Galactagogues
Certain foods naturally enhance milk supply, nourishing both mother and baby.
Fenugreek & fennel – Traditional TCM herbs that stimulate lactation.
Black sesame seeds – Help nourish Yin and promote healthy breast milk production.
Papaya & dates – Support digestion and provide natural sweetness to energize the body.
Miso & fermented foods – Encourage gut health, which is linked to improved milk supply and overall immunity.
Refer to this additional post for nourishing recipes designed to support your postpartum healing
Beyond Nutrition: Creating a Supportive Postpartum Environment
While proper nutrition is essential, how you eat and how you care for yourself matters just as much.
Prioritize warmth – Keep your body warm with layers, warm drinks, and heated foods to support circulation and digestion.
Eat mindfully – Avoid distractions and take time to chew your food thoroughly for better absorption.
Stay hydrated – Herbal teas, warm water, and nourishing broths help maintain hydration and support milk production.
Rest & receive support – The 5-5-5 rule is not just about resting physically, but also emotionally and mentally. Accepting help from family or friends can allow you to focus on healing.
Postnatal Care at The Violette House
At The Violette House, we understand that the postpartum period is just as important as the pregnancy itself. Our holistic approach to postnatal care includes acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal therapy, dietary counseling, and lifestyle guidance to support new mothers as they transition into motherhood.
By prioritizing rest, nourishment, and traditional healing practices, you can ensure that your body is fully restored after childbirth, helping you feel stronger, more centered, and ready to embrace the joys of motherhood. We are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that you have the tools and guidance you need to thrive during this important period.
To learn more about our postnatal support services at The Violette House in Groton, MA, contact us today.