Postpartum Recovery Syndrome: We Help Mothers Recover After Childbirth

Hello, I am Choi Yeon-seung, the representative director of Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic. Childbirth is a blessing and a joy, but at the same time, it is a great stress for the mother. Many mothers experience inconvenience in their daily lives due to various symptoms that come with changes in the body. At Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, we help these mothers achieve a healthy recovery.

Postpartum wind (Sanhu-pung), if left untreated, can lead to great suffering

My whole body aches and pains after childbirth, making it difficult even to take care of my baby. I am worried that the heavy night sweats and cold hands and feet are symptoms of postpartum wind.

After childbirth, many mothers suffer from various symptoms such as joint pain, headaches, fatigue, and night sweats. This occurs when Qi and Blood are damaged due to childbirth and pathogenic wind-cold factors invade the body, a condition commonly referred to as 'postpartum wind.'

Various symptoms of postpartum wind

Postpartum wind can manifest as various symptoms. Representative symptoms include joint and muscle pain, headaches, dizziness, night sweats, coldness in the hands and feet, and chronic fatigue. Symptoms may appear differently depending on the individual, or several symptoms may appear in combination. Most occur within 1-2 weeks after childbirth, but sometimes symptoms appear after several months.

Causes of postpartum wind, please take note

Postpartum wind is closely related to the damage of the mother's Qi and Blood caused by childbirth. When massive bleeding occurs during the childbirth process, Qi and Blood are significantly damaged, which leads to a decrease in immunity and vitality, making the body vulnerable to external pathogenic factors. Additionally, excessive activity after delivery, improper dietary habits, lack of sleep, and stress further damage Qi and Blood, increasing the possibility of postpartum wind.

Viewing postpartum wind from a Korean medicine perspective

In Korean medicine, postpartum wind is handled within the category of 'lochia' (ak-ro). Lochia is a general term for various symptoms that appear after childbirth. When the original Qi is damaged and Yin-Blood becomes deficient due to childbirth, and pathogenic wind-cold-dampness invades, the flow of Qi and Blood becomes obstructed, causing pain throughout the body. Furthermore, exposure to cold or failure to properly recover the body in a timely manner can further block the circulation of Qi and Blood, worsening the symptoms.

Korean medicine treatment for postpartum wind: supplementing Qi and Blood and removing pathogenic factors are key

At Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, to treat postpartum wind, we first focus on supplementing damaged Qi and Blood and aiding circulation. The first goal is to increase the mother's immunity and restore her original vitality through this. In addition, we aim to resolve pain and discomfort by removing the pathogenic wind-cold-dampness that has invaded the body. Improving symptoms such as coldness by facilitating the circulation of Qi and Blood is also an important part of the treatment.