Abnormal Bleeding Postpartum
Postpartum Hemorrhage
This is an emergency condition usually following labour. If a significant amount of blood has been lost, the result may leave the woman with blood deficiency. Chinese Medicine treatments can help to replenish the blood.
Recommended Treatment:
Herbal medicine can be taken after the first week postpartum and continued for 3 months to over a year.
Acupuncture can be done from 1-2 times per week and can be continued for as long as 3 months, but often a series of 10 sessions is beneficial.
Moxibustion is an excellent treatment method to help to replenish blood. Moxibustion treatments can be easily done at home. It can be done every 1 or 2 days.
Retention of Lochia
This is when there is an absence or very little lochia discharge, it usually involves pain as well. The absence or less lochia generally indicates weakness of Qi and Blood or stagnation of Qi and Blood. Even with the deficiency pattern there is generally an aspect of stasis which can be from cold invasion or from emotions stagnating the Qi.
Treatment will not bring back the lochia blood flow, but they will help to prevent future complications such as conditions related to pelvic congestion.
Recommended Treatment:
Herbal medicine can be taken after the first week postpartum and continued for 3 months to over a year.
Acupuncture can be done from 1-2 times per week and can be continued for as long as 3 months, but often a series of 10 sessions is beneficial.
Moxibustion is an excellent treatment method to help to replenish Qi and Blood as well as warm the uterus and move the Qi and Blood. Moxibustion treatments can be easily done at home. It can be done every 1 or 2 days.
Prolonged Bleeding Postpartum
The normal range of lochia discharge (postpartum bleeding) is about 3 weeks. It is the bloody discharge from the placenta placenta attachment site and endometrium (lining of the uterus wall). It should be red and gradually decrease to become a lighter fluid like discharge.
This is a very common condition and is often related to improper care after labour and birth. It is important to get the proper amount of rest and to avoid coming into contact with cold. It is very common for women not to address prolonged bleeding because it is not heavy bleeding. However, bleeding beyond 3 weeks is considered excessive.
Chinese medicine treatments are effective to stop prolonged lochia bleeding.
Recommended Treatment:
Herbal medicine can be taken to help stop the bleeding, it is commonly stopped within one week of treatments, but it is recommended to continue to take herbs for another few weeks to help replenish the body of lost blood and essence.
Acupuncture can be done from 1-2 times per week until the problem is resolved, and is beneficial to continue to help the body to recover.
Moxibustion is an excellent treatment method to add warmth into the uterus and to strengthen the Qi and Blood. Moxibustion treatments can be easily done at home. It can be done every 1 or 2 days.