Postpartum depression and insomnia can be incredibly challenging, especially for new mothers adjusting to the demands of parenthood.
Imagine feeling constantly down, struggling to find joy in daily activities, and then compounding that with the inability to get a good night’s sleep. It’s a recipe for feeling utterly drained and overwhelmed.
After treating postpartum cases for ten years, here is one that stands out as many mothers go through postpartum depression and sleep challenges.
Let’s take a look at the case of this mama who has been battling postpartum depression and insomnia since the birth of her first child two years ago.
I have a patient, Jessica, who is 35 years old. She was despondent, with negative thoughts clouding her mind, and even the simplest tasks felt like monumental efforts.
Sleep was elusive for her, plagued by nightmares and frequent awakenings throughout the night.
She also experienced a strange sensation of floating just as she was about to drift off.
But her struggles did not end there. She also reports poor memory, tingling sensations in her limbs, palpitations, and feeling hot at night, accompanied by sweating.
Additionally, she notices her eyes, mouth, and throat feeling dry during the night.
Her menstrual cycles are regular but lighter, lasting only three days.
Upon examination, her tongue appears thin with a shallow crack in the heart area and a red tip, while her pulse is fine.
Let’s break down her symptoms being presented:
From a holistic perspective, her body signals imbalances beyond her mood and sleep patterns.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), her symptoms point towards deficiencies of the yin in the channels corresponding to the Liver and Heart., along with disturbances in her Ethereal Soul, akin to her spirit or psyche.
The treatment approach involves a combination of acupuncture and a custom herbal approach.
Acupuncture or acupressure points are strategically used on her hands, legs, and abdomen to target deficiencies in her Yin energy, which is vital for nourishing and calming her.
By addressing these Yin deficiencies, we aim to alleviate her depression and improve her sleep quality.
Additionally, the treatment focuses on nourishing her Heart-Blood to help soothe her mind and settle her Ethereal Soul, providing a sense of groundedness and purpose.
In layman’s terms, the goal is to replenish her body’s out-of-balance vital energies, restoring harmony and promoting overall well-being.
By nourishing her Blood and Yin energies, we aim to address the root causes of her symptoms rather than just treating the surface manifestations.
In my practice, I use specific acupuncture points to help each patient feel better.
For postpartum depression and insomnia, I use acupuncture or acupressure points that are known to help balance the body and mind.
Here are the main points I used:
- Ren-4 Guanyuan: This point helps to boost the body’s energy and make it feel more robust.
- Ren-15 Jiuwei: This point helps calm feelings of worry and restlessness.
- ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, and LIV-8 Ququan: These points work together to give energy to the liver, which can help with depression and sleep problems.
By using these points, I aimed to help the patient feel more balanced and calm, both physically and emotionally.
I aim to support new mothers as they recover and feel better after having a baby.
In summary, postpartum depression and insomnia are complex issues that often require a multifaceted approach to treatment.
I usually resolve this case successfully with 6-10 weeks of treatment.
Also, herbal formulas consisting of Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata), Gou Qi Zi (Lycium barbarum), and Bai Zi Ren (Platycladi Semen Preparatum) have been added.
By understanding the underlying imbalances in the body and addressing them holistically through acupuncture and herbal medicine, I aim to offer hope and relief to those struggling with these challenging conditions.
To learn more about my work on healing postpartum, get my new book, Healing the Birth Mama: A 6-week Journey to heal Postpartum on Amazon.