Reduce Stress and Miscarriage Related Risk With Traditional Chinese Medicine
Pregnancy, a remarkable journey filled with anticipation and dreams, can also be a time of immense stress and anxiety for many expectant parents. Though stress is something everyone experiences, many people may not know the toll it takes on overall health. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on the connection between emotional well-being and pregnancy outcomes.
Though proper stress management is essential for everyone, managing stress is even more important for those who are trying to conceive and carry a healthy baby to term. Expectant mothers often wonder can stress cause a miscarriage and this particular topic does not get the attention it deserves. To learn more about stress and miscarriage, read on.
Does Stress Cause Miscarriage?
Chronic and severe stress can potentially contribute to an increased risk of miscarriage. Studies have shown a link between high levels of stress and an increased chance of miscarriage. These studies are in line with Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) belief as well. Stress has a number of adverse effects on the body. It can affect hormonal balance, immune function, blood circulation, and can even potentially affect the ability to achieve and maintain a healthy pregnancy.Â
How Can Stress Cause a Miscarriage According to Chinese Medicine
According to TCM, there are three ways stress can affect fertility and increase miscarriage risk.
- Disruption of Qi and Blood Flow Causes Hormonal Imbalance: When a person experiences high levels of stress, even for a short period of time, it can lead to the disruption and the free flow of ‘Qi’ and ‘blood’ which, in turn, can cause stagnation. Stagnation means that the energy and blood have become blocked in their movement.
Stagnation can disrupt the hormonal balance in the body leading to disharmony. Some of the common symptoms of disharmony due to stagnation include menstrual irregularities, painful periods, and dark clots in menstrual blood. Yin yang imbalances arise as Qi fails to flow smoothly. This then negatively affects the body’s natural reproductive hormones that are essential for successful conception and a healthy pregnancy.
Chronic Qi stagnation can also negatively impact the quality of the eggs produced during ovulation. The ovaries rely on a steady and nourishing flow of Qi and blood to develop healthy and viable eggs. When Qi is stagnant, the eggs may not receive the optimal nourishment that is required for proper maturation. This can lead to eggs with compromised quality which can then potentially reduce the chances of successful fertilization and as well as healthy embryo development.Â
- Chronic Stress Generated Internal Heat: Long-term, chronic stress will also affect the ability to conceive because it is known to generate internal heat. This heat can accumulate in the reproduction organs in the body.
Excessive internal heat can lead to inflammation and irritation in the uterus which affects the body’s overall function. This may compromise the uterus’s ability to create an optimal environment for implantation and successful embryo development.
- Chronic anxiety Depletes Kidney Yin: Kidney yin is a cooling, moistening, and nourishing energy in TCM. When experiencing anxiety, emotional strain, or an unhealthy lifestyle, the kidney’s Yin energy can become depleted.
This imbalance of kidney yin may lead to poor nourishment and support for the uterus as it brings about the accumulation of phlegm. This can lead to the improper development and growth of the fetus during pregnancy as well as increase the risk of miscarriage.
When combined, stagnation, heat, kidney yin deficiency, and hormone imbalances caused by stress and anxiety, the result can be difficulty in conceiving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Highlighting the risk between stress and miscarriage.
Now that we have established the link between stress and miscarriage, lets look at how Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments for stress and miscarriage aim to promote the yin yang balance as well as to address any underlying imbalances in the body.
By restoring the balance of energy, TCM seeks to optimize the functioning of the reproductive system, support healthy ovulation, and improve fertility outcomes.Â
Related: 10 Ways How Stress Affects Your Body
Solutions for Stress and Miscarriage
Practitioners of TCM offer treatment options for reducing stress and increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy that are both non-invasive and drug-free. Some examples include:
Acupuncture
Research has shown that acupuncture may have several potential benefits for fertility and stress reduction. Studies have show that acupuncture has been found to promote relaxation and reduce the body’s response to stress. This can help in managing chronic stress and its potential impact on fertility and health.
It also helps to reduce inflammatory stress markers due to its ability to reduce inflammatory stress markers like cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels by restoring balance to the endocrine system. For threatened miscarriage, specifically, acupuncture improves implantation capability by regulating hormones, encouraging the flow of blood to the uterus, and improving overall health.
Regular exercise
Getting plenty of exercise can help to smooth the flow of Qi while also providing a sense of inner peace and calm. The physical movements and deep breathing will oxygenate the body and effectively reduce cortisol levels while also regulating the menstrual cycle.
Qigong, a Chinese movement exercise, helps strengthens organ function and moderates stress reactivity while also leading to better quality sleep. Even just 15 minutes of gentle exercise daily will offer big health benefits.
Health diet
TCM emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet. Eating nourishing, warming foods and avoiding excessive cold or raw foods can help maintain Qi balance. Sugary foods are best avoided as they have a tendency to make stress worse.Â
Consulting a TCM Practitioner
TCM is highly individualised. Consulting a qualified TCM practitioner can help identify the underlying causes of stress and develop a personalised treatment plan. At GinSen we offer free online consultation here.
Conclusion
Though the connection between stress and miscarriage is well-known, there is no need to stress further about proper stress management. The good news is that there are plenty of all-natural remedies that can aid reducing stress levels. Stagnation caused by high levels of stress can lead to imbalances in the body and impede the flow of nourishment.
Because chronic stress and anxiety can lead to a disruption in the flow of Qi and blood, TCM treatments such as acupuncture combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet offer a drug-free treatment for those who are hoping to welcome a healthy baby. If you are trying to conceive and want to learn more about the connection between stress and miscarriage, speak with a TCM practitioner about your options.
For more information about how Chinese Medicine can help you with stress and miscarriage, book your free consultation with our Chinese Medicine experts today
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.
