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（Article compiled by: London TCM Practitioner Ye Yanting This information is for reference only. Please consult a professional or doctor for medical needs.)
Common late-pregnancy issues in London, such as bloating, acid reflux, constipation, frequent urination, swelling, back pain, and pubic symphysis pain, are often related to fetal pressure, hormonal changes, and reduced pelvic stability. In daily life, pregnant mothers can effectively relieve discomfort through small, frequent meals, sleeping on the left side, moderate activity, and safe acupoint massage.
The following are the key points of late-pregnancy and postpartum care:
1. Common Late-Pregnancy Discomforts: Safe Acupoint Massage and Qi-Moving Therapy
When performing acupoint massage, it is recommended to combine it with Qi-moving therapy: massage the acupoint while slowly moving the painful or uncomfortable area (e.g., rotating the neck, stretching the lower back, or gently bending forward and backward), which can significantly enhance blood circulation.
1. Relieve Bloating, Acid Reflux, and Constipation
-Neiguan Acupoint: Located three finger widths above the wrist crease, between the two tendons. It can effectively relieve stomach bloating and acid reflux.
-Zhigou Acupoint: Located three cun (about four finger widths) above the wrist crease on the back of the hand, between the radius and ulna. It can promote intestinal peristalsis and relieve pregnancy-related constipation.
2. Improve Lower Limb Swelling and Frequent Urination
-Fenglong Acupoint: Located about eight cun above the outer ankle, on the outer side of the lower leg.
-Yinlingquan Acupoint: Located on the inner side of the lower leg, in the depression below the medial condyle of the tibia.
3. Relieve Pregnancy-Related Back Pain and Pubic Symphysis Pain
-Zhongzhu Acupoint: Located in the depression between the fourth and fifth metacarpals on the back of the hand. If the left lower back hurts, massage the right Zhongzhu acupoint, and vice versa.
-Houxi Acupoint: Located in the depression behind the little finger's metacarpophalangeal joint when making a loose fist. This acupoint is more suitable for relieving pain in the center of the spine.
⚠️ Absolutely Forbidden During Pregnancy! Hegu and Sanyinjiao acupoints have properties that promote uterine contractions. Unless you are already in the hospital in labor, you should avoid massaging these acupoints yourself throughout the entire pregnancy.
Relief Care Video 1
Relief Care Video 2
Relief Care Video 3
Relief Care Video 4
2. Suitable Drinks for Late Pregnancy and Postpartum: Herbal Teas Easily Available in Europe
During late pregnancy or postpartum, drinking the following natural teas in moderation can help regulate the body:
-Organic Corn Silk Tea: Helps promote urination and reduce swelling, and is gentle and does not deplete vital energy.
Black Bean Water(Note 1): Helps replenish kidney qi and strengthen lower back strength; drinking it postpartum can also help with milk secretion and reduce hair loss.
-Raspberry Leaf Tea: Helps promote uterine contractions and is suitable for drinking during labor.
※ Friendly Reminder: Avoid contact with rose essential oil throughout pregnancy, or drinking large amounts of rose flower tea, which has blood-activating and uterine-contraction-promoting properties.
3. Postpartum Recovery Care: TCM Contraindications and Dietary Suggestions
Whether by natural or cesarean birth, childbirth consumes a large amount of the mother's qi and blood; mothers who undergo cesarean sections also need to deal with the healing of the surgical wound. Common postpartum issues include back pain, postpartum hand pain, poor milk supply, and clogged milk ducts.
Do not take Sheng Hua Tang, Si Wu Tang, qi- and blood-tonifying medicines, or blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing Chinese herbal medicines (Note 2) without the assessment of a qualified TCM practitioner. If lochia has not been fully discharged, bleeding is excessive, or your constitution is unsuitable, blindly replenishing qi and blood may increase bleeding, worsen inflammation, and even seriously affect wound healing.
🍲 Gentle Lochia-Discharging Dietary Therapy: Korean Ginseng Beef Ginger Soup
If you want to use dietary therapy to help discharge lochia and reduce swelling and lumps, you can refer to the Korean Ginseng Beef Ginger Soup(Note 3) commonly used during the Korean postpartum confinement period:
-Korean Ginseng: Helps soften hard lumps, disperse nodules, and eliminate excess water from the body.
-Beef: Replenishes high-quality protein and iron, and restores strength.
-Ginger Slices: Warms the spleen and stomach. This soup recipe is more nourishing and warming than plain seaweed soup, making it very suitable as a source of nutrition during postpartum recovery.
4. Recommended Local European Postpartum Care and Support Products
Living in Europe, if you encounter postpartum wound or breastfeeding issues, the following natural care products are very easy to obtain at local pharmacies (Pharmacy / Herb Shop):
-Shiunko Purple Cloud Herbal Balm: Helps repair wounds that are not inflamed after childbirth.
-Calendula Cream: Has natural anti-inflammatory properties and can assist in postpartum wound healing.
-Yarrow Sitz Bath(Note 4) (Yarrow Sitz Bath): Naturally anti-inflammatory and suitable for soothing perineal tears or hemorrhoids after childbirth.
-Nettle Tea: Provides abundant micronutrients while also reducing inflammation and aiding breastfeeding, making it very suitable for daily postpartum consumption.
（Note 1）Tasteforlife Europe Nourishing Black Bean Water: Carefully selected organic-grown Qingren black beans, with HPP ultra-high pressure liquid cold extraction technology, preserving 20 times the nutrition intact.
（Note 2）Tasteforlife Europe Postpartum Confinement Dietary Set: Adopts a three-stage progressive care approach, gently nourishing without worry. For product details, please contact customer service. For more constitution-related questions, you can consult London-based TCM practitioner Ye.
（Note 3）Tasteforlife Europe Dietary Soup Base: Dedicated to enhancing the flavor of the soup base, extracting black bean natto, seaweed, and beetroot essence, with Himalayan rock salt as a seasoning base. No artificial flavorings, colorings, or preservatives are added, allowing you to eat with greater peace of mind.
（Note 4）Tasteforlife Europe Herbal Bath Pack: In addition to yarrow, it includes mugwort, mugwort leaf, and calamus, which can be used for postpartum confinement cleaning and wiping.