Pulling Down the Moon

POSTPARTUM CARE

May 14, 2017

Phew! Congratulations Mama, you’ve made it to the other side. From trying to conceive to becoming a new mom there are so many changes you’re facing both physically and mentally. Here are some common postpartum experiences that many new moms experience, and how we can help!


Hormone Regulation

During pregnancy your estrogen and progesterone hormone levels are very high and decrease abruptly after delivery. To facilitate breastfeeding your body’s prolactin and oxytocin hormone levels rise. These postpartum hormonal fluctuations can make you feel out of balance, and often result in sadness and fatigue. Acupuncture and massage therapy are both helpful in restoring postpartum hormone balance. Certain essential oils may also bring hormone and mood balance.


Stress

Caring for your new baby is a wonderful and amazing time, but can also bring big identity shifts as well as stress for new moms. Acupuncture and massage have both been shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol. They also support healthy levels of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters associated with depression.


Swelling

Did you know your body increases fluid volume by 50% when you’re pregnant? Some women experience prenatal swelling and fluid retention throughout their body. Postpartum, many women find their bodies working to eliminate this fluid by having night sweats. A great way to aid your body in reducing fluid is massage and acupuncture. We can facilitate the elimination of excess fluids with massage by promoting circulation and lymphatic drainage. Massage also helps your body shift water to the “right places by promoting tissue stimulation. Meanwhile, acupuncture helps to promote fluid drainage and increase circulation by using specific acupuncture points and moxa to help drain dampness.


Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can be a challenge for some moms. Massage can relax and open the neck, chest and shoulder muscles and can improve lactation. Researchers have found acupuncture may support lactation by increasing prolactin secretion, the hormone associated with milk production. Did you know there is a specific Acupuncture point whose main function is to improve insufficient lactation? One of our patients recently shared how acupuncture helped her with her milk supply…


“I never struggled with my milk supply until I got a severe stomach flu. I really couldn’t get any food down for three days. For the first two this didn’t seem to affect my supply at all, but by the third day I noticed my supply starting to dwindle to almost nothing. My four month old boy was getting hungrier and hungrier, and I was getting more and more nervous…I’ve heard so many stories of women’s supply drying up never to come back. I was taking every herb available at Whole Foods but nothing seemed to be working. Finally I went to PDtM for acupuncture and couldn’t believe the results – my supply started to return within SEVERAL HOURS of my session! My baby boy is now 7 months old and has a huge appetite – thankfully, I’m still able to provide for him!

Share on Social

Discuss With Us

Our Latest Resources

Tips for Spring Restoration

February 18, 2025
Spring arrives next month, and with it, more cold days (perhaps even snow)! But March also brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you’re not sure how to get started, try our Breathe & Restore Workshop or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on Monday, February 24th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
A man is comforting a woman who is sitting on a couch.

Online Infertility Support Groups: Finding Your Community

January 27, 2025
Connect with others who understand your journey. Discover online infertility support groups to share experiences, gain advice, and find emotional sup

Take the Next Step Toward Parenthood

January 21, 2025
Discover Our New Testing Options to Support Your Fertility Journey
More Posts
Share by: