Regrettably, Miscarriages are prevalent, affecting one out of every four pregnancies, resulting in loss before 20 weeks gestation.
It is imperative we continue to have the conversation around ways to recover from a Miscarriage for both anyone who has directly had the experience as well as their family and friends to be able to hold the space to process their loss. It can be difficult to process loss and grief alone and to have the coping strategies to move forward when ready.
There are many ways to seek support for the physical, emotional and psychological impacts of miscarriage as well as navigate the possibility of conception and pregnancy again. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complementary medicine that can be used alongside psychological support including seeing a psychologist, or a counsellor or joining a support group. TCM’s role in supporting the recovery from a miscarriage is to support the physical and emotional body through restoration and nourishment to prepare the body for the opportunity to conceive and carry a pregnancy to full term.
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment approach
Miscarriage Acupuncture treatments and Chinese Herbal Medicine can be used to support the mind and body during this time for recovery as well as prepare the body for the preconception period for future conception. This is a two-step approach.
Step One: Recovery
Recovery from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective involves restoring the body after the pregnancy by ensuring the Uterus is clear and that there is no stagnant blood. From an emotional perspective, this allows the body space to process emotions such as grief and loss as a result of the miscarriage.
This step involves treatment using Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese Dietary Therapy and Moxibustion to move any residual blood stagnation and begin nourishing Qi and Blood, lost from the Miscarriage and regulating the Chong Mai and Ren Mai channels in the body to support the blood flow through to the Uterus.
This treatment approach can help support the recovery by reducing pain and cramping post Miscarriage and associated procedures, supporting the Central Nervous System to reduce stress levels and address associated signs and symptoms along with possible emotional distress including sleep and digestive issues.
Step Two: Nurture
Nurturing the body post recovery involves regulating the Hypothalamic Axis to support hormonal physiology which in turn aids the return of efficient Ovulation and a regular menstrual cycle post Miscarriage.
In Step Two, treatment of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Moxibustion, Chinese Dietary Therapy, and Supplementation supports the return of Qi and Blood flow to the reproductive organs. Nourish Blood and Qi. This includes focusing on opening the Bao Mai channel to nourish the Heart’s connection with the Uterus.
If a person decides to continue being open to conceiving, this will support Preconception care for when they are ready. Both Qi and Blood nurture the soil in the Uterus as well as the seed, the Egg. It is ideal to have both treasures restored and ideally, in abundance prior to conception to support the Mother and Fetus in future pregnancies as well as for Postpartum. Step Two can involve an integrative approach with functional blood tests for Preconception Care.
Lifestyle advice from a Traditional Chinese Medicine to support Miscarriage recovery
In addition to Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, here are five ways you can implement practices at home to support your recovery from a Miscarriage.
1. Eat warm foods
To support recovery post Miscarriage, the focus is on keeping the body warm to support the Uterus. By eating warming foods you are supporting a warm uterus which supports Miscarriage recovery from a TCM perspective. Think 80% cooked, and 20% raw on your plate.
2. Chicken & Chinese Herbal Medicine Soup
The Dao Health’s Chicken & Chinese Herbal Medicine soup supports recovery from Miscarriage through the addition of Chinese herbs which restores and nourishes Blood, Qi and Yin to aid recovery and restore the menstrual cycle.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 x whole Free Range or Organic Chicken
1 x Large Brown Onion
2 x Carrots
3 x Celery Sticks
1 x Bunch Parsley
Water to cover
Ground black pepper
Few slices of Fresh Ginger Root
Chopped Spring Onion
Season with Salt to taste
Traditional Chinese Herbs
30g Huang Qi ( Astragali Radix ) Tonifies Qi
30g Dang Shen ( Codonopsis Radix ) Tonifies Qi
10g Dang Gui ( Angelicae Sinensis Radix ) Tonifies Blood
30g Shan Yao ( Dioscoreae Rhizome ) Tonifies Qi
30g Yu Zhu ( Polygonati Odorati Rhizome ) Tonifies Yin
15 pieces Dao Zao/ Red Dates ( Jujubae Fructus ) Tonifies Qi
Methods:
There are two methods that I recommend, depending on the availability of tools in your kitchen.
Method One with a Large Saucepan or Stock Pot
1. Place chicken into a large saucepan or stock pot
2. Roughly chop the onion, carrots, celery, ginger, and parsley
3. Add Chinese Herbs
4. Add water to cover
5. Bring to the boil and simmer for at least two hours, the longer you let it simmer, the richer the flavour will be
6. Remove from the heat, strain out the bones, vegetables, all Chinese herbs besides Da Zao ( red dates ) and let cool
7. Skim off the fat when cool and store in the refrigerator for up to three days, or alternatively, freeze in portions to defrost and reheat as required
8. Season well
Method Two with Slow Cooker
1. Place chicken into the Slow Cooker
2. Add finely diced Brown Onion, Carrots, Celery, Ginger, Parsley
3. Add all Chinese Herbs
4. Add water to cover
5. Season with Pepper and Salt
6. Turn Slow Cooker to High and cook for 7-8 hours, depending on your slow cooker
7. Check your slow cooker and stir every 2 hours, add water if necessary so that the chicken is covered
8. Once Chicken is cooked and tender, remove chicken and debone. Place chicken pieces back in the slower cooker
9. Season to taste
10. Skim off the fat when cool and store in the refrigerator for up to three days, or alternatively, freeze in portions to defrost and reheat as required
3. Continue taking your Prenatal supplement
It is a common assumption after experiencing a miscarriage to stop taking your Prenatal supplement although during this time your body and hormones also need the extra support. To support a healthy cycle to return and to prepare for preconception care, it is recommended to continue taking your Prenatal and other supplements such as Magnesium and Fish Oil.
Check-in with your healthcare provider whether to take any other supplements prescribed to you during pregnancy post Miscarriage.
Important: If it becomes triggering or it is causing you emotional distress for you to take your Prenatal post-Miscarriage, please take a break from taking your supplements and review in the future when you are ready.
4. Keep your feet warm and your hair dry.
Wear socks, your Kidney meridian begins on your foot and supports your Jing which is your vitality and connected to your future fertility.
5. Moxibustion at home
Moxibustion can be used at home to support blood flow to the Uterus post-Miscarriage.
This treatment is focused on the lower abdomen area where the moxibustion, in the form of a stick, is used about two fingerbreadths above the skin to provide a warming sensation on the conception channel meridian, specifically from the pubic symphysis to the navel.
The purpose of using Moxibustion during this time is to warm the local uterus area and support the Blood and Qi flow in the local area to encourage circulation and reduce any pain. It is a calming treatment that also supports the central nervous system.
Important: Check with your Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to see if this is suitable for you post Miscarriage.
What does Miscarriage recovery treatment look like at The Dao Health?
Post a miscarriage, treatment looks different for each individual depending on the timing of their miscarriage and their reproductive history.
If you haven’t been receiving Acupuncture treatment throughout your pregnancy we recommend commencing Acupuncture treatment as soon as possible post-Miscarriage at The Dao Health, we also recommend this for our patients who have continued to have Acupuncture throughout their pregnancy.
Treatment will involve weekly Acupuncture for one month and then fortnightly to support the cycle to return for an additional two months. Chinese Herbal Medicine may be prescribed for post Miscarriage support.
Support:
Having a miscarriage or experiencing your partner having a miscarriage, can be isolating and can be often associated with a multitude of emotions. You are not alone and there is a number of ways you can receive support. Here are two accessible networks in Australia to reach out to for further support.
Bears of Hope
Bears of Hope offers compassion and comfort to support healing through support via counselling services, hotlines, grief workshops and extensive resources via their website. Grief Counsellors via Free phone line 1300 11 HOPE or please see their website here Bears of Hope
for further resources
The Pink Elephants Network
The Pink Elephants Network is a registered not-for-profit founded in 2016 that provides the most up-to-date resources, information and peer support for anyone impacted by early pregnancy loss.
For further information, please see their website here The Pink Elephants Network
