Can I use moxibustion during the confinement period?

It is best not to do moxibustion during the confinement period. At this time, no matter what kind of treatment or medicine you use, you should be more careful, because you are still in a recovery period and you should let your body rest well. The most important thing is that taking medicine will have an impact on the baby. After all, you are still breastfeeding, so you must keep your body absolutely healthy.

Traditionally, it is believed that women should not take a bath or wash their hair during the postpartum period for fear of catching a cold and contracting a disease. In fact, this understanding is unreasonable.

⒈ During the "confinement period", the perineum of the mother has more secretions, so the vulva should be cleaned with warm water every day. Change perineal pads frequently and keep the perineum clean and dry. The lochia will clear up in about 4 to 6 weeks after delivery.

⒉ Generally, you can take a bath and wash your hair one week after delivery, but you must stick to sponge baths and not take a tub bath to prevent dirty water used for bathing from entering the reproductive tract and causing infection. You can shower after 6 weeks.

⒊ The room should be ventilated frequently. The indoor temperature should not be too high, nor should it fluctuate suddenly. In the past, it was often said that doors and windows should be closed tightly and mothers should be covered with thick blankets at all times. This is very dangerous, especially in summer, as it can easily cause heatstroke in mothers. But please note the following points:

① During the confinement period, avoid direct exposure to the fan.

② When turning on the air conditioner, do not point the air outlet towards the mother, and it is best to set the room temperature to around 25 to 28 degrees Celsius.

③ If your clothes get wet due to excessive sweating during the confinement period, you must change into dry clothes immediately; in winter, prepare a nightgown by the bed and put it on immediately when you get up in the middle of the night to breastfeed to avoid catching a cold.

④ Although there is no ventilation, attention should also be paid to the indoor air pollution of newborns and mothers. Used diapers should be cleaned in time, otherwise the ammonia produced will irritate the baby's eyes and respiratory tract, seriously affecting intellectual development. In Western countries, there is no custom of confinement after childbirth, but the urine smell is controlled by using diaper pails. It is not common in China, but the air pollution is equivalent to indoor smog, so we should be careful to avoid it.

⒋ During the period of confinement, mothers should rinse their mouths with warm water after each meal. As long as your physical strength allows, you should start brushing your teeth on the second day after delivery, and it is best not to exceed 3 days. A few points to note:

① During pregnancy, pay attention to calcium intake, maintain oral hygiene, and avoid damage to teeth.

② The mother’s body is weak and in the process of adjustment, so she is more sensitive to cold stimulation. Therefore, remember to brush your teeth with warm water, and it is best to soften the toothbrush with warm water before brushing to prevent excessive stimulation of the teeth and gums by cold stimulation.

③ Brush your teeth once in the morning, evening and before going to bed. If you have the habit of eating midnight snacks, brush your teeth again after eating.

④ You can use finger rinse for 3 days after delivery, that is, wash your index finger or wrap gauze on it, squeeze toothpaste onto your finger and use it as a brush head, wipe it back and forth and up and down on your teeth, and then press the gums with your fingers several times. This method can promote blood circulation, strengthen teeth and prevent them from becoming loose.

⒌ As for cutting fingernails and toenails, you can do it as usual. Nails are keratinized epithelium, so there is no problem of "scissors wind" at all.