Understanding “Blood Deficiency” During Prenatal & Postnatal Stages in TCM

Understanding “Blood Deficiency” During Prenatal & Postnatal Stages in TCM

Pregnancy places profound demands on a woman’s body, and in Singapore’s busy, fast-paced environment, these demands can be even more intense. In TCM, the mother’s Qi and blood must continuously nourish both her own organs and the growing baby. When Qi and Blood are insufficient to meet physiological needs, mothers may enter a state known as blood deficiency. 

 

Why Blood Deficiency Happens

During pregnancy, the fetus draws directly from the mother’s nutritional and blood reserves. This natural sharing is healthy, but it becomes problematic when the mother’s reserves are already low. 

In addition, Singaporean mothers who continue working full-time throughout pregnancy, might sacrifice rest or eat quick meals on-the-go. This drains Qi and weakens digestion, reducing the body’s ability to produce new blood. After childbirth, blood deficiency deepens because of the significant blood loss during labour and the additional energy required for breastfeeding. 


How Blood Deficiency Feels

Blood deficiency affects the entire system because blood in TCM nourishes the organs, muscles, skin, emotions, and mind. During pregnancy, mothers may feel dizzy or lightheaded, especially when standing up. A pale or dull complexion, cold hands and feet, dry skin, brittle hair, and leg cramps are also common experiences. Many expectant mothers in Singapore report that they sleep poorly, experience vivid dreams, or feel easily overwhelmed by emotions. These symptoms reflect the Heart and Liver struggling to regulate blood and calm the mind.

After childbirth, the signs often intensify. Mothers frequently describe feeling extremely drained regardless of rest, which corresponds to both blood loss and the demands of breastfeeding. Hair loss, especially between the third and sixth month postpartum, is a strong indicator of blood deficiency in TCM. Forgetfulness or “baby brain” is another common complaint. 

TCM explains this by noting that the Heart governs both blood and the Shen (mind). When blood is insufficient, concentration, memory, and emotional stability weaken. Low milk supply may also be associated with Qi and Blood deficiency, as TCM views breastmilk as being transformed from the mother’s Qi and Blood. In some mothers however, low supply may arise from Liver Qi stagnation, which hinders the smooth flow of Qi needed for effective milk let-down. In such cases, appropriate soup packs can be recommended to regulate Qi, nourish the body, and support healthy lactation. Emotional sensitivity, tearfulness, and mood swings are equally typical, reflecting how the Liver and Heart struggle when blood is low.

 

Nourishing Blood Naturally With Safe, Gentle Herbs

Herbal nourishment plays a central role in reducing blood deficiency, and many of the herbs traditionally used across Singapore are gentle, safe, and widely accepted by expectant and new mothers.

Bird’s nest is one of the most cherished tonics in Southeast Asia, prized for its ability to nourish Yin, replenish fluids, and support tissue repair. In Singapore, it is consumed during both pregnancy and confinement because of its mild nature and ability to strengthen the body without causing heatiness. Mothers who feel dry, weak, or mentally exhausted often find bird’s nests especially beneficial.

American Ginseng is another herb used in Singapore for mothers who feel easily overheated, restless, or mentally drained. Its mild cooling and Qi-replenishing nature suits Singapore’s warm climate and helps strengthen the Spleen and Lungs, which are essential for producing and circulating blood. American Ginseng is commonly used in Singapore for mothers who feel heaty or drained, but should be prescribed according to individual constitution.

Red dates, another nourishing ingredient, gently warms the body, strengthens digestion, nourishes the blood, and calms the mind. Red dates are commonly served, alongside bird’s nest, by confinement nannies and included in postpartum care packages.

Many Singapore mothers also consume confinement soups containing ingredients like Dang Gui, Wolfberries (Gou Qi Zi), black fungus, and black sesame, all of which support blood production and circulation. Unlike aggressive tonics, these herbs and foods nourish the body steadily, aligning with TCM’s emphasis on gentle, sustained recovery.

 

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Supporting Recovery in Daily Life

In TCM, lifestyle habits are just as important as herbs when recovering from blood deficiency. For Singapore mothers, rest is crucial but often challenging, especially if they lack help at home or return to work early. Confinement traditions, still strongly practised here, play an essential role in supporting recovery by encouraging warmth, adequate rest, and nutrient-rich meals. Warm foods such as ginger chicken, sesame oil dishes, and herbal soups improve circulation and help the Spleen recover, allowing it to produce more blood efficiently.

Gentle movement like slow walking supports Qi and blood flow without straining the body. Sunlight exposure boosts mood and energy, while pelvic floor strengthening helps improve circulation to the lower abdomen, supporting recovery of reproductive organs. Emotional wellbeing is equally important. HPB’s guidelines on maternal mental health emphasise that postpartum anxiety and mood fluctuations are common, especially when mothers are overwhelmed or sleep-deprived. In TCM, these emotional challenges often arise from weakened blood and Qi. Seeking emotional support from partners, family, or healthcare providers is therefore essential.

When symptoms like persistent fatigue, dizziness, low milk supply, or slow recovery remain unresolved, it is advisable to consult a licensed TCM physician. In Singapore, TCM practitioners are regulated by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB) under the Ministry of Health (MOH), ensuring high standards of safety and competence. A TCM physician can assess a mother’s constitution and stage of recovery before prescribing gentle herbal formulas tailored to her needs.


How Chong Hoe Healthcare TCM Supports Mothers

 

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Chong Hoe Healthcare TCM believes that prenatal and postnatal nourishment is essential not only for physical healing but also for emotional stability and long-term wellbeing. Their tailored treatments combine traditional TCM wisdom with Singapore’s modern maternal needs. Chong Hoe TCM offers personalised herbal prescriptions to rebuild Qi and blood, bird’s nest tonics specifically designed for pregnancy and confinement, and customised tonic capsules ideal for busy mothers. For deeper therapeutic support, they also provide acupuncture to help with fatigue, emotional balance, milk flow, and hormonal regulation. Their robotic tuina therapy, performed using traditional herbal oils, offers gentle, precise postpartum care designed to support milk flow, improve circulation, and aid uterine recovery. Prenatal fertility-support programmes for mothers preparing to conceive are also available.

For parents navigating the postpartum period, Chong Hoe Healthcare also offers a free Confinement Manual. Designed to support nourishment, healing, and energy replenishment, the manual breaks down herbs, soups, and recipes according to the body’s changing needs throughout the confinement month. 

Placing great importance on helping mothers regain inner glow and vitality, every treatment plan is customized based on the mother’s physical condition, lifestyle, and recovery timeline to ensure safe, effective, and holistic support.

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This article was informed by resources from the following: