Postpartum Physical Constitution Characteristics
New mothers are in a state of deficiency and blood stasis, with depleted qi and blood and susceptibility to cold. Postpartum care focuses on warming and replenishing qi and blood, removing stasis and generating new blood.
Key Wellness Focus by Postpartum Stage
Week 1: Discharge Lochia and Reduce Edema
- Drink Sheng Hua Tang (postpartum decoction): helps discharge lochia
- Eat warm foods: shredded ginger and lean pork congee, red bean soup
- Avoid cold/raw foods: fruits should also be steamed or heated before eating
Week 2: Regulate Qi and Blood, Promote Recovery
- Red date and longan tea: replenishes qi and nourishes blood
- Angelica chicken soup: gently warms and tonifies qi and blood
- Eat moderate amounts of pig liver and spinach: replenish iron and blood
Weeks 3–6: Replenish Primordial Energy and Strengthen Constitution
- Astragalus chicken soup: boosts immunity
- Chinese yam and pork rib soup: strengthens spleen and nourishes stomach
- Black sesame paste: nourishes kidneys and darkens hair
Daily Health Care Tips
- Foot soaking: soak feet in 40°C warm water for 15 minutes each night; adding mugwort leaf is even better
- Moxibustion: apply moxibustion on Zusanli and Guanyuan acupoints to boost yang energy
- Massage: comb the hair 100 times daily to promote head blood circulation
- Keeping warm: keeping the waist-abdomen and feet warm is most important; wear long socks to sleep
Seasonal Wellness Advice
- Spring: get more sunlight, soothe the liver and regulate qi
- Summer: avoid heat but don’t crave cold; keep AC temperature no lower than 26°C
- Autumn: moisten lungs and prevent dryness, drink more white fungus soup
- Winter: warm-tonify and keep warm, eat more root vegetables
Wellness is not an overnight matter, but small habits integrated into daily life. A healthy mom means a happy family.