How to Take Care of Pregnant Women before Delivery
I. Early Stage of Fetal Development (First Three Months)
According to the ancient medical book "Qian Jin Yao Fang" by Sun Simiao, during this period, the fetus has not yet formed and it is not advisable to take medication. It is important to focus on mental well-being. Pregnant women should avoid looking at unpleasant things, listening to inappropriate sounds, speaking arrogantly, and having negative thoughts or fears, and take care of their physical and mental health.
In terms of diet, it is important to eat moderately and avoid foods that are too rich or stimulating. The food should be well-cooked and nourishing, and should not be too warming, as it may lead to excessive heat or fetal movements, increasing the risk of miscarriage.
If experiencing pregnancy symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, or indigestion, you can try natural remedies such as drinking a cup of sugarcane juice (120cc) mixed with 10cc of ginger juice, or consuming 60cc of apple juice, 10cc of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey in 100cc of water, or eating 100g of fresh grapefruit. To warm the uterus and promote fetal development, you can also try eating stir-fried fresh mugwort leaves with eggs.
II. Middle Stage of Fetal Development (Four to Six Months)
During the middle stage of pregnancy, the fetus grows rapidly and it is necessary to take care of both physical and mental health to support fetal development. Pregnant women should avoid strenuous activities and maintain a calm and peaceful mindset. Excessive fatigue can weaken the body, and excessive relaxation can lead to stagnation of energy. It is also important to get enough sunlight and avoid exposing the belly and buttocks by wearing loose-fitting clothing.
In terms of diet, it is important to have a delicious and varied diet that is rich in nutrients, but not overly filling. It is also recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables to promote bowel movements.
During this stage, the blood and yin in the body may be insufficient, leading to internal heat. It is recommended to nourish yin and blood. For example, you can cook pork rib soup with 100g of black beans and ten red dates to nourish the blood. You can also make a tea using 30g of codonopsis pilosula, 10g of longan fruit, and ten red dates to nourish the qi and blood. For anemic pregnant women, stewing beef with 3g of American ginseng and 100g of lean meat is beneficial. Other recommended foods include amaranth leaves, Chinese broccoli, spinach, carrots, sesame, white fungus, young coconut water and meat, and legumes.
III. Late Stage to Facilitate Delivery (Last Three Months)
In the late stage of pregnancy, many women may experience spleen deficiency, resulting in edema, as well as yin deficiency and blood heat, leading to restlessness and potential for premature delivery. During this period, pregnant women should wear loose-fitting clothes, avoid taking baths, engage in gentle exercise, and maintain a peaceful state of mind to avoid excessive anger.
In terms of diet, it is recommended to consume warm foods and avoid dry and hot foods. It is important to nourish the qi and strengthen the spleen, as well as nourish the liver and kidneys to facilitate delivery.
For dietary therapy, you can try stewing 3g of Korean ginseng with bird's nest, or stewing white fungus with Chinese yam and longan fruit. You can also try braising sea cucumber with shiitake mushrooms and lean meat, or making a tea with codonopsis pilosula, astragalus, and ten red dates.
In addition, pregnant women should avoid eating bitter gourd in large quantities during pregnancy as it contains quinine, which can cause uterine contractions. During labor, it is advisable to avoid taking large amounts of qi-tonifying medicines such as wild ginseng, American ginseng, and Korean ginseng, as they may increase blood flow and lead to excessive bleeding during delivery (according to a study conducted by the University of Hong Kong). It is also important to use caution when taking laxatives, blood-activating herbs, and qi-breaking herbs.
