Baby and Beyond

Infertility

Societal changes over the past few decades have led to a change in the profile of first-time parents. Contraception has allowed couples to delay trying for a baby until they are comfortably situated which, in turn, has led to a later average age of first-time mothers.

However, if conception becomes difficult, it leads to a perception of time running out faster – eventually causing immense emotional upheaval. Disappointment, frustration, and anxiety have often been the result, especially when no obvious medical problem has been detected.

At such times, I offer would-be parents a more holistic approach – naturally, all in resonance with the doctor’s advice. A substantial part of this approach is formed by questions referring to the woman’s diet as well as her lifestyle, stress level, exercise and any mood fluctuation.

To confirm the findings, I would feel her pulse which may reveal any imbalance within her organ system and look at her tongue, which shows the condition of all major organs – liver, stomach, large intestine, lung and heart. This is particular important when I accompany a woman through her IVF journey, constantly checking her nutrition.

According to TCM, the lower part of the body (womb and kidney area) must be warm to nourish new life. The kidneys are considered responsible for nourishing the seed of life – just like a plant that needs sunshine to grow. Furthermore, Chi (our Energy) is formed in our lower body before it travels up to be dispersed throughout the body.

The ubiquitous smoothies, raw food, sushi, cold salads, and sandwiches, especially early in the morning, are detrimental to a balanced Chi circulation. As healthy as they might be (by other standards) they cool down the body’s Energy which subsequently is failing to support conception - just as we don’t place a sapling into the fridge to grow instead of putting it out into the sunshine.

If, after a thorough assessment, inner coldness is detected, the first line of defence is a dietary change: Warm, cooked food, coupled with moxibustion to warm the important acupuncture points on the Kidney Meridian has a tremendous effect on the Energy of the body. Additionally, I teach about the different food properties – apart from the mode of preparation, all food items hold a particular warm or cold Energy, e.g. most vegetables are considered cold. Stir frying them would turn them into neutral, even warming – eating them raw is considered extremely cold. Apart from causing bloating and possible indigestion, they will fail to provide heat to the lower body, so crucial for conception.

Dairy products, like milk, soft cheese, and cream are no favourites in TCM but should particularly be avoided as milk produces phlegm blocking the meridians. Interestingly, the aspect of dairy not being healthy is also known to several Western doctors especially when preparing for conception.

 

Psychological

My experience showed me the occasional necessity to investigate a bit further; As complicated feelings relating to the wish to have a child can lead to underlying blockages that cannot be solved by talking alone. Open conversations about background and life situation, accompanied – if necessary - by CBT (Cognitive behaviour Therapy) or EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) are effective mind/body tools that can gently turn up underlying thoughts and emotions.

Perhaps the parents-to-be are fearful of being alone in their old age, or they are trying for a second child to give their first child a playmate, or they hope, a child will save an estranged relationship.

A more serious cause for not conceiving might be a conflicting motivation: despite the fervent wish for a baby, the mother-to-be has a hidden fear of passing on a personal trauma.

Anxiety is a fertility antagonist; failing to conceive can easily cause a vicious cycle that is hard to break. As mentioned, there are effective mind body techniques as well as BACH Flower Remedies which can soothe the disappointment and negativity, restoring a sense of inner peace and balance.

Often, talking provides already a certain kind of release – and relief. As the above aspects often cause a feeling of loneliness, being listened to without judgement but with a lot of empathy and understanding is extremely important and often helps to regain one’s inner balance.

 

Pregnancy

Not every pregnancy goes smoothly and according to expectation. The ubiquitous morning sickness can deprive the woman of the anticipatory joy of becoming a mother. It is important to understand that the energetic balance of the mother-to-be is almost reversed – while Yin Energy (Blood) accumulates in the lower body part to nourish the new life, most Yang Energy is collected in the upper body, creating heat, and causing nausea.

Depending on the symptoms, I give dietary advice, adjusting to the body’s changed needs, re-creating balance. Additionally, specific points will be stimulated to calm down the constant unwellness.

During the later phase of pregnancy and especially during and after childbirth, the new mother needs a great deal of support which I am privileged to provide as long as requested. Even fathers experience among the joy and anticipation some uncertainty and benefit from active listening by a neutral person.

As much as motherhood was desired, the reality of being under a 24-hour demand, the responsibility, and the struggle to find balance in this new phase can be truly overwhelming. How will the relationship as a couple be affected? What about my work, how will I feel afterwards? Having been there myself allows me to sympathize with most issues and responding accordingly.When staying in a foreign country, this situation is often aggravated by living in an unfamiliar place, without family support.

Despite the happy occasion, a few mothers struggle emotionally after giving birth, feeling lost, even depressive, not able to bond with their newborn – which causes feelings of guilt and disappointment. In TCM this is considered quite normal as, due to the loss of blood the ‘spirit is not anchored in the heart’, causing unhappiness and confusion as the brain is not nourished either.

Explaining to the mother the way the body attempts to adjust itself, combined with a modified diet which will replenish the necessary nutrients makes a huge difference to recovery time. This is the reason for the Asian ‘Confinement nanny’, a trained professional who provides specialized care to new mothers and their babies during the confinement period, assisting with newborn care, household chores, and offering emotional support.

About six weeks before EDD, the mother-to-be can be prepared physically and psychologically by weekly sessions of acupuncture/acupressure as well as counselling, appeasing any particular concern before this new life phase.

Finally, if the EDD is approaching or even has passed, and no medical reason can be found, induction is often advised not to endanger mother or baby by a delayed birth. Nevertheless, most women prefer a ‘natural induction’ by acupuncture as it has proven to be quite effective despite being extremely gentle.

 

Miscarriage

Losing a baby at any point during pregnancy is a truly traumatic experience and requires a great deal of attention. Accompanied by compassionate listening, as well as some of the above-mentioned remedies and modalities, the experience can be slowly processed and consolidated by counselling, creating a more hopeful attitude.

A more holistic approach like Jin Shin Jyutsu could be favourable to getting in touch with the mother’s feelings and assisting her on her path to a new role.

 

Breech

There are few solutions - except c-section - for a baby who does not seem to be in the ideal position for a natural birth. Moxibustion, applied over a special point on the feet, offers a simple, yet often successful solution. As surprising as it seems, a success rate of over 80% proves its effectiveness.

 

Baby/Child Massage   

Child massage is a natural form of therapy that causes no side effects but stimulates body functions. Based on the meridian system, it can be used on its own or as a supportive measure in combination with other treatments. The best results are achieved with children up to five years, but kids up to ten years still respond very well. 

Children always love any type of massage. Furthermore, their Energy runs much closer to the skin as with adults. This explains its effectiveness and provides a very gentle way of stimulating particularly meridians. In a relatively short time blockages are eliminated, and the flow of Chi is enhanced, thus assisting the body to heal itself.

Three of the most common imbalances respond particularly well to the above: any digestive issues, respiratory concerns and fever. Different to medication, massage does not suppress symptoms but enhances the respective immune system to go into self-healing.

I show the massage in detail, teach it to the mother or caregiver and provide written instructions.

 

Consultations can be done in Person or Online, in English or German.