Looking after yourself in pregnancy

​The Mother-Child Law

The Mother-Child Law in Chinese medicine says that the health of the mother determines the health of the child. This means that the best way to look after your baby is to look after yourself. Ancient Chinese texts have emphasised the value of wellbeing in pregnancy since the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD): “A pregnant woman carries with her the finest piece of jade. She should enjoy all things, look at fine pictures and be attended by handsome servants.” - Admonitions to Women

What to eat

Going easy on your digestion helps your body extract the nutrients needed for your growing baby, to produce energy for labour, and for physical recovery after giving birth. During pregnancy, avoid spice, pungent flavours, grease, sugar and dairy. Instead, eat lots of cooked vegetables, grains, soups and stews.

What exercise to do

Build your stamina throughout your pregnancy with gentle exercise like swimming, walking, tai chi or pregnancy yoga. Rest as soon as you feel tired and store your energy by having a set downtime every day.

Looking after your emotions

Emotional wellbeing is as important as physical health, so look after your emotions as carefully as you look after your body. During pregnancy, don’t dismiss your feelings as “just hormonal”. Instead, pay attention to what upsets you and avoid upsetting things like sad films / books, upsetting news reports, and so on.

Pregnancy massage, meditation, relaxation tapes, soothing music and avoiding caffeine can all help with insomnia, anxiety and depression. If you feel depressed, take a 30-minute walk outdoors every day and make a regular effort to do something creative. If you feel anxious, do quiet activities that keep your hands busy, like knitting, sewing or drawing.