Golden Month | The Fourth Trimester

Golden Month 💛

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the 40 days after childbirth is often referred to as Golden Month ✨

🍲This is a time to replenish the mother and protect the baby, and many cultures encourage a month of confinement. The emphasis is on nourishing the body with Blood Building and Yin Nourishing food and herbs.

🤱🏻New mothers are also encouraged to rest more, and avoid heavy lifting. Visitors are allowed, but they should be few, and quick. The mother traditionally should not wash her hair for this time. Other practices may be used for support such as belly wrapping and herbal baths.

📖A month of confinement may seem extreme, however there may be value to it. A recent study found that mothers who gave birth in the Summer were slightly more prone to experiencing postpartum depression. The research speculates that this is due to the mother feeling under pressure to return to social norms in the more active, Summer months. The lower risk of postpartum depression when babies are delivered in Winter/Spring may be due to mothers resting more and enjoying indoor, one on one activities with their babies.