First Trimester Pregnancy Diet & Lifestyle
First Trimester Pregnancy Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations
By Byron / Jan 2019
A few days ago I was asked to put together a list of dietary and general recommendations from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective for a patient of mine who was 6 weeks pregnant with a history of miscarriage.
As we know the first trimester can be a very trying time with uncertainty, hope, anticipation, fears and of course morning sickness.
According to TCM, at the time of conception a celestial or heavenly force interacts with an earthly or human substantive force. As humans we have taken on the weight that heaven has bestowed on us to live out our destiny here on earth. (source: https://www.tcmhealingcenter.com/post/pregnancy-care-in-traditional-chinese-medicine )
In utero, during the first and second months, is the time when an individuals heavenly destiny gets downloaded into the fetus’s being (spirit) and becomes their earthly destiny. In utero is a sterile environment and serves as a gateway between heaven and the eventual toxicity of the earthly realm. Humanity is considered to be the bridge between heaven and earth.
According to TCM there are 10 months of gestation that follow the creation cycle within the Five Element model. The Wood element (Liver and Gall Bladder) is most active and forming during the first and second months, followed by Fire (Pericardium and Triple Burner), thirdly the Earth element in the fifth and sixth months (Spleen and Stomach) are most active, followed by the Metal element (lung and large intestine) and lastly in the ninth and tenth months the Water element (Kidney and Bladder) is most active.
According to TCM, it is especially important during the first two months to avoid strong emotions which can injure the liver energy. The liver and the gallbladder organs and meridians are most active in the first two months so they must be nourished and not stressed. Avoid grief, sadness, anger and irritability.
It is also important to let go of past losses, bad memories and negative emotions that we may hang on to and harbor resentment over. We do not want to pass these toxic emotions, toxic memories and “negative history” in the way of stagnant blood and Qi onto the child. Practice meditative breathing and focus on letting go all prior losses in your life. It is a new beginning for both mother and child with a new life growing inside.
According to TCM during the first and second months the bed should not face in a Westerly direction as West relates to the Liver.
Diet Recommendations:
Avoid spicy and aromatic foods which irritate the metal element which controls the wood element (liver).All bean family foods and legumes (alfalfa, peas, lentils, peanuts) are great to eat in first two months.Eat sprouts and asparagus as they nourish the liver.
Eat Grapes and berries as they help relax the liver.
In the second and third month begin to eat pitted fruits such as cherries, apricots and plums. Stones or pits relate to the fire element which are most active in the third and fourth months.
In the third month start to consume leafy vegetables that grow inward such as lettuce, cabbage and brussels sprouts. These are yang foods but encourage yin energy due to the inward growth of these vegetables.
***To prevent miscarriage-Eat a Umeboshi plum once a day for 10 days to prevent miscarriage. It is recommended to mix Umeboshi plum paste with water and drink once a day for 10 days.
Acupuncture, herbal remedies, diet and lifestyle changes are ways to nourish the prenatal environment in utero. Not only is the baby growing and changing but the parents must apply the theory of gestation, growth and rebirth within their own lives as they form their own new identity as parents. Wisdom comes from self reflection and we as parents must also impregnate our own consciousness with the idea of gestation and change in our own lives.
In Love & Light,
Byron⭐
Byron Barth; L.A., MSTOM, Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Zen Shiatsu Master and Founder of Peace of Zen Acupuncture.
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