Patient's question:
I gave birth via C-section last month on the 29th. Today, for some reason, both my feet swelled up suddenly, and they are even more swollen at night than during the day.Doctor's answer:
This situation is basically normal, but if it persists two months postpartum, it is not normal and medical examination is recommended. How is your blood pressure? What are the results of your urine test? According to TCM differentiation, postpartum edema can be divided into five types:(1) Qi deficiency and blood deficiency postpartum edema. The mother may experience generalized edema, pale complexion, pale lips, pale nails, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and exhaustion.
(2) Qi stagnation and blood stasis postpartum edema. The swelling first starts in the feet and gradually spreads to the legs and abdomen. The mother may experience chest and abdominal fullness, depression, lower abdominal pain, reduced lochia volume, and dark red lochia.
(3) Spleen deficiency postpartum edema. The mother may have edema in the face, limbs, pale yellow complexion, fatigue, cold limbs, tasteless mouth, poor appetite, abdominal distension, and loose stools.
For postpartum edema, TCM uses dietary methods to nourish the kidneys, activate blood circulation, and remove excess body fluid:
(1) Coix Seed and Red Bean Soup: Wash 20 grams of raw coix seed and 30 grams of red beans, soak them for about half a day, and drain them. Boil the coix seed in water until half-soft, then add the red beans and cook until done. Add rock sugar and remove the heat once dissolved. After cooling, it can be consumed. This soup helps with beauty, nourishing qi and blood, and diuretic edema. It strengthens the stomach, replenishes blood, and promotes milk production.
(2) Brown Sugar and Ginger Soup: Wash ginger with its skin on and pound it into pieces. Add ginger and brown sugar to a clay pot with an appropriate amount of water. Boil it over high heat until it boils, then switch to low heat and simmer for 45 minutes. It can be consumed while hot. This soup dispels wind and cold, activates blood circulation, accelerates blood flow, stimulates gastric juice secretion, aids digestion, strengthens the stomach, and stimulates appetite. Ginger with its skin has diuretic and edema-reducing effects.
(3) Fermented Bean Paste and Carp: 250 grams of bone-in carp meat, 30 grams of fermented bean paste, 10 grams of scallions, 10 grams of ginger, 10 grams of garlic, 15 grams of cornstarch, and seasonings. Heat salad oil in a pan, fry the fish pieces until golden, then remove them. Keep a little oil in the pan, add scallions, ginger, garlic, and fermented bean paste. Add soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, fish pieces, and fresh broth to infuse flavor. Add MSG and thicken with cornstarch. Carp has a sweet and neutral nature, promoting diuretic edema, expelling gas, and promoting milk production. It is especially suitable for weak constitutions, phlegm-dampness constitutions, pregnant women with edema, and postpartum women.