Sitting the month, also known as Zuò yuè zi in Chinese culture, dates back to the year 960. Giving birth is looked at as a trauma in this instance, which is why postpartum care is so important. A woman's body, though designed to do so, tears itself apart to bring a new human into life. To recover from this trauma there’s a set of rules to follow to not only make a full recovery but to offset any symptoms that might occur later in life from the birthing experience.
The Ancient Way
Now that 10 months of not only nourishing a life within and following a set of rules that comes with pregnancy are over, a whole new set of “rules” so to speak take its place. To be the best version of yourself and nourish your baby on the outside as much as you did on the inside, it’s necessary to heal. It’s possible during this period to make your constitution even stronger than it was before you gave birth. The ancient protocol of sitting the month starts immediately after birth and is as followed:
Lasting anywhere from 26 to 100 days
Avoid the cold, wet, and damp
Not showering or wetting your hair for at least 30 days
If you must bathe, bathe in warming herbs such as mugwort to release the cold within
Do not leave the house
Designate a person that is not your partner to care for you & the baby
Do not use the air conditioner
Do not read or watch tv
No climbing stairs
Do not pick up the baby (have someone hand him or her to you)
Only leave the bed when necessary
Only allow necessary people in your home
Eat only cooked foods
Do not eat anything that grows underground
The eastern culture believes that when you give birth you lose a large amount of blood and body fluids. In Traditional Chinese Medicine our vital energy (Qi) is carried by our blood. When we don’t have adequate amounts, it hinders our body’s ability to not only work properly but to heal. The loss of blood puts our bodies in a state of cold. Cold contacts make all our bodily functions from the inside out slower moving. That is why one of the main principles of sitting the month is to avoid external colds. This includes showers, cold food & beverages, using AC, and even going outside. Even if you live in a warm climate the wind can still penetrate your being and slow down the healing process. TCM believes that giving birth presents you with a blank slate to overcome predispositions even from childhood.
A Modern Approach to Postpartum Care
In the time that we’re living in, being able to take on such a strict protocol can seem daunting and even impossible to some. In many cases, women must go back to work sooner rather than later and in other cases, they just don’t have the support system or “luxury” to stay in bed for the month. It’s possible to obtain the results you need while still following an updated version of Zuò yuè zi. Some ways to modify this so it works for you can be as followed:
Find a time frame that works best for you. If you can only do 20 days that is okay. This protocol is meant to help – not put more stress on the body.
Avoid showering and if you can't. Let the shower run so the bathroom heats up with steam before getting in. Block vents and cracks in the door. If you’re washing your hair, immediately blow dry before leaving the washroom. Take a bath instead of a shower with warming herbs prescribed by your acupuncture physician.
Why should you avoid showering as part of the postpartum care? Anything wet produces "cold", which you want to avoid. After giving birth a woman loses the “warmth” the baby brought to her insides. This is why the main objective postpartum is to be warm.
Even if you think you can't avoid showering, do try to avoid washing your hair. We suggest you wait at least 10 days after birth before washing your hair. It is recommended that when you wash your hair, you do so only once a week for at least 8 weeks. You may be wondering why. The reason is to prevent postpartum hair loss & hair loss associated with aging in the future.
Rely on Family and Others Close to You to Help out. Choose multiple people you trust to take shifts to help you cook, handle the baby to nurse, change diapers, or do any other tasks during your postpartum care time. During this time you may want to isolate yourself, however, having a tight group that will help is better. Having people around you to help will allow you the help and rest you need to heal.
Some examples of people who can help you are your mother, mother-in-law, or siblings. There are also hired professional or high-end facilities that specifically cater to “sitting the month” in case you need that option as well.
Stay away from your phone, TV, or electronics, or limit yourself to a designated amount of time per day to do these things. Our minds need blood to think and operate. To heal we need our blood to go to the organs affected by giving birth such as the uterus, ovaries, liver, and kidneys.
Cleaning and soothing with warm water & heat. Heat will bring blood flow to the area and help it heal faster. The cold will “freeze” the area and will take the blood longer to arrive at the applied area.
Avoid AC or fans. We know this can be impossible in the South Florida heat, but there are reasons to avoid it. After giving birth every part of a woman is vulnerable down to her joints. When cold air and “wind” from the AC or fan is blowing on any part of the body it is giving way to longer-term problems. For example: If a fan is blowing on your shoulder it is likely that down the road you’ll experience pain in the area.
Acupuncture and Other Therapies for Postpartum Care.
As you near the end of your pregnancy, you may be wondering what postpartum care options are available to you. Acupuncture and other therapies can be a great way to help with postpartum recovery. Here we will explore some of the most common acupuncture and therapy treatments used for postpartum care, as well as their benefits :
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is an amazing tool to help with the postpartum care period. It helps to expel any retained blood and placenta from the uterus, prevents hemorrhoids, helps with constipation and diarrhea, balances hormones, helps with anxiety and depression, boosts energy levels, decreases inflammation, and aids in overall healing.
We have amazing acupuncture physicians that can help you navigate this time in your life with kindness and compassion. Feel free to learn more about what we do here.
Postpartum Massage:
A postpartum massage can help to relieve any tension and pain in the muscles, helps to improve circulation, and can aid in the healing process.
Our expert LMTs are knowledgeable in giving the best treatment for those going through postpartum care. You can learn more about our services here.
Cupping therapy:
Another great postpartum care treatment is cupping. Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which cups are placed on the skin to create suction. This suction helps to improve blood flow, reduce pain, and promote healing.
You can book a cupping session with us here.
Stretch Therapy:
Stretch therapy is a form of physical therapy that helps to improve flexibility, reduce pain, and increase the range of motion. It can be especially helpful for those who are recovering from an injury or surgery.
By following these tips you are on your way to a healthier postpartum period! If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with your acupuncture physician.
You can learn more about stretch therapy here.
Benefits of Natural Postpartum Care
There are amazing key benefits to following this ancient protocol. It gives you the ability to heal healthier and bond with your baby on a deeper level because you took care of yourself, too. Moreover, it can offset symptoms associated with postpartum, including and not limited to, postpartum depression, hair loss, incontinence, exhaustion, pain from labor, lingering hormonal imbalances, and the list goes on.
When everything is constantly changing in your new role as a parent or as a parent to multiples – relinquishing control and accepting help (which is what this protocol enforces) gives you the ability to be the best version of yourself for your family.
We encourage you to consult your Acupuncture Physician one month before your due date to allow them to assist you on your sitting month journey.
