Zuo Yue Zi, The Art of Postpartum Preparation

WRITTEN BY DR. RHIANNA WEAVER

The fourth trimester is, in my opinion, the most difficult. Not only are you healing from giving birth, but you are also trying to breastfeed, sleep, navigate a changing relationship with your partner and come to terms with a massive identity shift. Postpartum care is extremely lacking here in the United States, where most new mothers only have one doctor visit at six weeks postpartum. We are one of the only first-world countries that doesn’t offer paid mandatory maternity leave and have one of the highest maternal death rates in the world, a majority of which happen during the first year after having a baby. We simply do not take care of postpartum women.

I believe we can do better by preparing for the fourth trimester and making it a priority. As a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I lean heavily on the beautiful teachings of Zuo Yue Zi. Translated to “Sitting the month,” this tradition is a 40-day period of confinement where healing and adjusting to becoming a mom are expected and allowed. It is a time of receiving special meals to rebuild energy and replenish nutrients. Traditional practices are used to keep the new mom rested, warm and protected. These practices were first written in texts more than 4,000 years ago and are still used in China and in other cultures around the world to this day.

Sitting out the month may not be possible for you, but we can take the meaningful core of the Zuo Yue Zi and build a beautiful plan that works for you. When we start planning for our fourth trimester, it should always start with good pregnancy care. The first Chinese medical text that discussed in-depth maternal care was written around 100 BC. The care of the pregnant woman was extremely important in ancient China, because it insured that women could continue to have more healthy babies. The mother’s health was the root of family health, and the results of inadequate postpartum care would affect a woman for the rest of her life. This still applies to our world today. Make sure you are taking care of yourself during your pregnancy to ensure an optimal fourth trimester.

I like to start postpartum prep in the third trimester, which is usually when women in our culture have their baby showers. We can start to incorporate some care into this tradition by not only asking for baby gifts, but gifts for the new mom. Gifts for a mom can include meal delivery service, massage and facials, laundry service, candles or oils and healing bath salts. The third trimester is a great time to stock your pantry and fill up your freezer. Fill it full of meals, broths, lactation cookies, energy bars and hearty stews high in iron and fat. Create a meal train or get your friends together to cook up meals before the baby comes.

It is important to create a cozy place before the baby arrives. Our physical environment can dramatically influence our postpartum experience. Make sure you have a comfortable chair (I love a nice big recliner chair) and opt out of nursing chairs. Try to make this space quiet, away from the TV or computer. Make your lighting dim and relaxing. Have some of your favorite treats, essential oils and breastfeeding essentials close by. Make sure your nest includes a side table to hold drinks, pumps and, of course, food.

Assemble a postpartum team. Put together a list of people you actually like. I want you to try to get into the habit of asking for help. It was Chinese tradition for the mother and grandmother to help the new mom adjust, and although that might not be as important in our culture, we still need help. Create a health care team including postpartum doulas, chiropractors, physical therapists and acupuncturists. Have someone you can trust watch the baby so you can indulge in self-care. It is a must.

Lastly, a good postpartum plan includes honoring yourself. Celebration and ritual are very important, because this transition to motherhood is a beautiful experience. Take the time to honor your body and appreciate all it has done for you. Create a self-love or gratitude journal. Consider having a blessingway ceremony to help you feel special and honored. Gather your female friends, mothers and grandmothers to ask for advice. Take the time in your third trimester to schedule self-care for after the baby comes. Book massages, facials and other self-care routines so that you do not have to worry about doing it later.

My final thoughts on this are simple: Postpartum care is essential and desperately needed. We have a responsibility and obligation to take care of our mothers to ensure the success of further generations. We can start by simply preparing our mothers and helping them through the fourth trimester.

Rhianna Weaver is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and owner of Big Sky Fertility and Wellness. She is a mama bear, herbalist and healer. She loves coffee and spends her free time in a good book.