The advantages and disadvantages of postpartum moxibustion

A woman's body is relatively weak after giving birth. Her uterus has suffered extensive trauma and needs a long time to recover. There are also many toxins and waste accumulated during pregnancy that need to be discharged from the body. Therefore, mothers can use moxibustion after giving birth to allow their bodies to recover better and discharge toxins as soon as possible. However, everything has its pros and cons, and moxibustion also has its disadvantages. Next, I will introduce to you the advantages and disadvantages of postpartum moxibustion.

1. Lochia

Whether it is a cesarean section or a natural childbirth, new mothers will experience a period of uterine bleeding after the baby is born, which is medically known as "lochia". The reason for the formation of postpartum lochia is that after delivery, the blood sinuses at the site of placenta attachment will gradually close, and there will be a certain amount of bleeding in this process. In addition, after pregnancy, the endometrium thickens to become the decidua. After delivery, the hormone level drops significantly, the decidua will fall off, and the new endometrium will grow. During this alternating process, there will be a small amount of *bleeding. Under normal circumstances, after the fetus is delivered, when the placenta is completely detached and discharged from the uterine cavity, it is beneficial to the recovery of the uterus and the body of the mother, and is more conducive to the secretion of milk.

Therefore, the normal discharge of lochia is a natural physiological phenomenon during female childbirth that is beneficial to the body's recovery. Generally speaking, in the first few days after delivery, lochia is red in color and the amount is similar to menstruation. Later, the color will gradually fade and the amount will gradually decrease. Generally, the lochia will disappear within 1 month after delivery. If the mother's uterus is not fully involuted, the amount of lochia will increase and last longer.

At this time, you can use mild moxibustion, select Guanyuan, uterus, large intestine shu, and ciliao points, and apply it for 20 minutes each time, until the moxibustion sensation appears.

2. Low back pain

After pregnancy, as the fetus grows, the expectant mother's abdomen gradually protrudes forward, the center of gravity moves forward, and the tension in the waist muscles increases. After delivery, the center of gravity returns to its pre-pregnancy state, but the joints and ligaments remain relaxed for a period of time. If the posture is not correct when breastfeeding or if you are tired, you will experience back pain.

Moxibustion can be applied gently on the large intestine point, life gate point, and kidney point for 20 to 30 minutes at each point, once a day, for a long time.

3. Stomach Upset, Bloating, and Constipation

Because the secretion of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice decreases after delivery, gastrointestinal muscle tension and peristalsis weaken, and coupled with the long time of bed rest and lack of exercise during the postpartum period, new mothers are prone to gastrointestinal discomfort and constipation.

For moxibustion, you can choose spleen point, large intestine point, Tianshu, Daheng, Zusanli and Shangjuxu for gentle moxibustion twice a day, each time for 15 minutes. It is best if gas discharge occurs during the moxibustion process.

4. External infection

During childbirth, pregnant women suffer from birth trauma and bleeding, as well as excessive force during labor, which depletes their Qi and blood, leading to a weakened resistance after childbirth, the so-called "emptiness of all meridians". If one is not careful, they can easily be affected by the six external evils. They are particularly susceptible to the invasion of wind, cold and dampness, and may experience wind-cold symptoms such as aversion to wind and cold, sneezing, runny nose, fever, cough, and even symptoms of cold stagnation and blood stasis such as fear of cold and preference for warmth, poor appetite and loose stools, fatigue and lack of movement.

You can use clean moxa sticks to perform mild moxibustion on the Feishu, Dazhui, Fengmen, Fengchi, and Zhiyang points once a day for 15 minutes each time to improve the mother's ability to resist wind and cold and improve the symptoms of cold stagnation and blood stasis.