Acupuncture can be a very valuable tool for postpartum recovery to help with things like relaxation, sleep, mood, lactation, pain, and much more. One of the most vulnerable and least discussed aspects of childbearing is the postpartum recovery period. 

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The first 6 weeks after giving birth is sometimes referred to as the 4th trimester. Traditionally, it may be referred to as the mother-roasting period (for the importance of avoiding exposure to cold) or sitting the moon (referring to the period of at least a month or moon cycle of recovery). It is a time when sleep deprivation is at its highest, and the child bearing person is at their weakest, physically and in turn emotionally and spiritually. 

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I like to have a longer session with my patients when they enter their 3rd trimester to discuss their plan of postpartum recovery. It is good to assess your support system and recruit people to your team like postpartum doulas, meal preparation services, other new parents etc. so that the postpartum recovery period is less isolating and depleting and can be a time of recovery and healthy bonding.