Healthcare During Pregnancy                                                                                                                      
Article contributed by:

Ms Wang Beiming, TCM Physician

Ma Kuang Healthcare Group

 

Pregnant women may come in contact with some pregnancy-related ailments that may affect their health and development of the fetus, even to the extent of a miscarriage.  Hence, it is essential to practice preventive healthcare and pay attention to post-illness treatment and recuperation.

 
During pregnancy, fetal development causes physiological changes in the mother’s body which differ from a woman who is not pregnant.  For example, these symptoms may appear 40 days after conception, such as aversion to food, giddiness and fatigue, nausea, slight vomiting, swollen breasts, colouration of the nipples, frequent urination, increase of vaginal discharge, and so on, but these are not considered pregnancy-related illnesses.  So what are common pregnancy-related illnesses?  Though these ailments are complex pathologically, but the most common are nausea, gestosis, threatening miscarriage and habitual miscarriage.
 

On this page: 1) Nausea During Pregnancy 2)  Gestosis 3) Threatening and Habitual Miscarriages

 

1) Nausea During Pregnancy

Early stages of pregnancy may display morning sickness, vomiting, aversion to food or abnormal appetite. These are normal reactions to early pregnancy, and will generally return back to normal after some time. However, some pregnant ladies will experience recurring vomiting and some even to the extent of being unable to consume any food as they will throw up after eating.  In severe vomiting, the vomitus may contain traces of blood.  This may affect the growth of the fetus.  This type of ailment is known as nausea during pregnancy.

 
Why does this ailment occur?  This is related to the increase of a certain hormone (chorionic corticotrophin) in the pregnant woman’s body.  Chinese physicians believe that this is due to dysfunction of the spleen and stomach.  If the vomiting is severe and unable to self-recover, it could be caused by the person’s physique and emotional stimulation.

 
Chinese physicians employ the method of “regulating qi and normalise the function of the stomach, reducing counter flow and prevent vomiting” to treat this ailment, and prescribing medication according to the physique of different pregnant women. Liujunzi decoction is prescribed for those who experience vacuity of the stomach; Jiawei-wendan decoction for those who have heatiness of the liver; while those with dampness of phlegm will be treated with Qingzhuru decoction.  Besides medication, Chinese physicians will urge the expectant mother to regulate her emotions, relax her mind, stay cheerful and watch her diet by staying away from oily and fatty food, as well as to consume more leafy vegetables, and to add some rice vinegar to the food when cooking to increase appetite.  Below are some recipes and medicinal prescriptions that are simple, aids digestion, and help to nourish blood and energy.

 

Crucian Carp with Vinegar Soup

Cook the fish using conventional methods, except that rice vinegar is added towards the end.  This dish is fragrant and helps to increase appetite.  The fish meat contains rich proteins, amino acids and lecithinum which aid the fetus’s brain development.  Rice vinegar soothes the liver and stomach, and is beneficial to the absorption of calcium by the human body.  (Can also consider using other meat bones to boil the soup; the bones contain rich sources of calcium, adding vinegar aids absorption.)
 

Fried Celery with Bamboo Shoots

This dish has a nice colour combination and is fresh and delicious.  Celery contains iron, calcium, phosphorous, folate acid, carotene, and vitamin C, which can help to expel wind.  On the other hand, bamboo shoots are rich in proteins, low in fats, and contains fibre and vitamins that helps digestion and clears phlegm.  It also has the properties of reducing counter flow and facilitating bowel movement.
 

Minced Meat with Bitter Gourd

This dish is scrumptious and tasty, with a dash of bitterness which enhances appetite.  The cooking tip is to boil the bitter gourd pieces with water before cooking, drip-dry and then fry them with minced meat.  Besides containing minimal amounts of protein and carbohydrates, bitter gourd also consists coarse fibre, calcium, phosphorous, iron and vitamins that nourishes the liver and stomach, as well as clearing heatiness.  On the other hand, minced pork contains proteins and vitamin B which is nourishing for the liver and kidney.

 

Tangerine Peel Porridge

Remove the fluids and residue from 10g of tangerine peel; cook 100g of pearl rice into porridge, adding the tangerine peel and further cooking for a short period before consuming.  Tangerine peel helps to regulate energy and strengthens the spleen, while the pearl rice soothes the stomach.  Consume small amounts over many servings can help prevent vomiting and soothes the fetus.
 

Duzhong Sanglin Beef Soup

Boil 12g of Duzhong, 12g of Sangjisheng and 5g of Huangqin in water and collect the fluids, then add 250g of beef, bamboo shoots and mushrooms to make soup.  When the beef is cooked, add the medicated soup and wait till the concoction boils.  Drink the soup and eat the beef.  Duzhong and Sangjisheng can nourish the liver and stomach, and soothes the fetus.  On the other hand, Huangqin clears heatiness and is a primary medicine for soothing the fetus.  Boiling the beef in soup produces an aromatic scent which improves appetite.  It is nutritious and also strengthens the spleen.
 

Sangmai Drink

Grind 10g of mulberry leaf, 10g of ophiopogonis, and 3g of dark plum into powdery form, add 15g of tea leaves and immerse in hot water for 10 minutes.  Mulberry leaf helps to expel wind and soothes the fetus; ophiopogonis nourishes the stomach, while dark plums are beneficial for liver function and prevents vomiting.
 

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2) Gestosis

During their later stages of pregnancy, some women may have high blood pressure, edema, and egg-white excretions in the urine.  This condition is known as gestosis.  In severe cases, symptoms such as varicose and unconsciousness may occur, which is a severe ailment that’s life-threatening to both mother and child. During pregnancy, blood capacity increases; blood pressure of the uterus and of the entire body changes. Retaining salt content and overburdening of the kidneys are some of the reasons that cause gestosis. However, the primary reason is because the expectant mother’s physique is inadequate prior to pregnancy.
 

In early stages of edema which do not show signs of high blood pressure or egg-white excretions in the urine, Chinese physicians would focus treatment on percolating dampness by promoting water metabolism, and prescribe various medicine according to the symptoms.  To strengthen the spleen and promote water metabolism, Baizhu powder is prescribed; to invigorating the spleen and promote water metabolism, Wuling powder with dioscoreae and Tusizi are prescribed; to regulating vital energy and clear dampness, Tianxianteng powder is prescribed.  The above-mentioned prescriptions are added with herbs that nourish blood and soothe the fetus according to the theory of Chinese medicine.  Patients require adequate rest and should pay attention to nutritional balance.

 
In later stages of pregnancy, if the patient has high blood pressure and egg-white excretions in the urine besides edema, Chinese physicians will focus on easing the liver and descending the yang energy with treatment to nourish body's essential fluid and tonifying the kidney, regulating the flow of qi and clearing phlegm, or supplement the vital energy and enrichingthe blood.  Prescriptions include Qiju-dihuang pills with tortoise shell, ostracean, Banxia-Baizhu tianma decoction, or Bazhen soup to soothe headaches, giddiness and edema.

 
Food and medicinal diet can help to strengthen the spleen, nourish the kidneys and ease the liver. Preparation should be low in salt and fat content.

 
Stewed Egg with Clams

This dish is rich in nutrients, smooth and delicious, nourishing and helps enhance fluids; it is good for the stomach, and contains proteins.  Eggs contain proteins and other vitamins such as niacin, calcium, phosphorous and iron.

 
Winter Melon Soup with Duck

Another tasty dish, the duck meat contains proteins, calcium, phosphorous, iron and vitamin B.  It nourish body's essential fluid and nourish the stomach, promotes water metabolism and reduces edema.  Winter melon is low in sodium, and possesses qualities of eliminating wetness and reduces edema, as well as clearing heat and reducing stress.
 

Fried Fish Cutlets with Fresh Mushrooms

This dish is fresh and succulent.  Fish contains proteins, amino acid, calcium, iron and phosphorous which strengthens the spleen and eliminate wetness.  Mushrooms consist of eight different types of amino acids and various micro-nutrients required by the body.  It also helps to regulate energy and clears phlegm, strengthens the spleen and improves appetite.
 

Fried Dried Beancurd with Kelp

Kelp contains rich sources of iodine that aids fetal development.  It also contains chlorophyll, vitamin C and laminaran, which are beneficial in lowering fats and stress.  Dried beancurd contains proteins and linoleic acid, which helps prevent high blood pressure.
 

Astragalus Porridge

Boil 15g of astragalus for its medicated soup.  Boil pearl rice with water to porridge-form, then add the medicated soup.  Astragalus can replenishing qi to invigorate the spleen, coupled with the stomach-soothing qualities of pearl rice, help to promote water metabolism and reduce edema, eases urine protein.  This should be consumed in small amounts over many servings on a frequent basis.  It is most suitable for those who have vacuity of energy.
 

Quail with Gastrodia Elata

Gastrodia elata calms the liver to stop the wind.  Quail helps in nourishing liver and kidneys, generates blood and vitality.  When combined, they possess qualities of reducing stress and soothing the fetus.

 
There is a common saying: “cooling before childbirth, warmth after delivery”.  Hence the selection of food and medicine is focused on items that are cooling and moistening, while preferred preparation methods are steaming, braising and stewing.

 

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3) Threatening and Habitual Miscarriages

During a threatening miscarriage, the pregnant woman experiences slight abdominal pain, aching of the waist and sometimes accompanied by minor vaginal bleeding.  For habitual miscarriage, it refers to a woman who had three previous miscarriages.  Chinese physicians describe this as “hua-tai” (slippery fetus).
How can Chinese physicians help prevent miscarriages?

 
Prevention of miscarriages is mainly to avoid the occurrence of threatening and habitual miscarriages. Chinese physicians place strong emphasis on the nourishment and healthcare of expectant mothers.  This is because if the treatment can help eliminate the symptoms of a threatening miscarriage, one can expect a normal delivery when pregnancy reaches full term.

 
To treat threatening miscarriages, Chinese physicians employ methods to nourish the kidneys and soothe the fetus, or nourish the blood and ease energy, or clear heat and cool the blood.  For habitual miscarriages, treatment is based on the principle of “emphasising on prevention, combining preventive treatment”.  In other words, one should emphasise on nourishing the kidneys, strengthening the spleen; supplementing the vital energy and enriching the blood; as well as administering medicine to regulate the “Chong” and “Ren” channels before pregnancy.  Upon conception, treatment has to be provided immediately to protect the fetus. Do not wait until signs of miscarriage appear before administering such treatment.  The period of medication should exceed the months of previous miscarriages.  Medication can only cease when signs of habitual miscarriage totally recede.

 
To prevent miscarriages, expectant mothers should take note of the following:

 

►	Have sufficient rest during pregnancy.
►	Pay attention to nutrition, besides consuming carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and micro-nutrients, eat more vegetables and fruits to prevent edema and constipation.
►	Exercise moderately, avoid strenuous exercises or extensive labour.
►	Refrain from sexual intercourse during the first three months and last two months of pregnancy.
►	Refrain from getting overly emotional and nervous.
►	Wear loose-fitting clothes made from natural materials and avoid chemical fibres.
►	Shoes must be fitting, avoid wearing heels and slippers when going out, and wear slippers at home to prevent spraining and hurting the feet.

 
Last but not least, in the event of vaginal bleeding accompanied by severe abdominal pains, seek medical attention immediately as these could be signs of an ectopic pregnancy.  Such a condition could result in acute abdominal bleeding, which can be life-threatening if not treated in time.

 

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Article contributed by:

Ms Wang Beiming, TCM Physician

Ma Kuang Healthcare Group

Dated: October 2013

 

 

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