Home » Confinement

Confinement

Confinement can be a particularly stressful period for new mothers who are simultaneously taking care of their newborns while recovering from the physical toll of childbirth. From a TCM perspective, this is a critical time to nourish the body and restore its energy to optimal levels.

How does Chinese herbal medicine support mothers during confinement?

Chinese herbal medicine specifically tailored for women during the confinement period can aid in their recovery process. At Thomson Chinese Medicine, we have developed the 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care programme, which consists of customised herb selections to meet the unique healing needs of each individual.

The herbs included in the personalised 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care programme are conveniently packaged in sachets and capsules, and they target three stages of postpartum recovery:

UTERUS RECOVERY (Up to 6 days after delivery)
This stage focuses on promoting uterus recovery and enhancing the mother’s overall wellness.

DIGESTIVE WELLNESS AND BREASTFEEDING (7 – 21 days after delivery)
The herbs in this stage aim to warm the body, preventing the invasion of “wind-dampness” and improving digestive functions to facilitate the absorption of nutrients necessary for a steady supply of breast milk.

VITALITY BOOSTER (22 – 28 days after delivery)
This stage aims to keep the mother’s constitution balanced, strengthen the joints and muscles, nourish the blood, and restore hormonal balance for overall vitality and to counteract premature ageing.

How is the 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care programme different from pre-packaged herbs?

While pre-packaged herbs or herbal soups also aim to help mothers during the confinement period, they are usually considered generic dietary nourishment. Thomson Chinese Medicine’s 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care programme is prescribed by our TCM physician and tailored to each mother’s needs. It addresses existing health concerns and aims to boost overall wellness.

How do I consume and purchase the confinement herbs?

Instead of spending time on brewing, we want you to have more time for yourself and your new bundle of joy. Our confinement herbs are customised for each person and packed into convenient herbal powder sachets and capsules for hassle-free consumption. They can be taken on their own or together with Thomson Nutri’s meal plans to enhance the mother’s postpartum recovery.

Thomson Chinese Medicine’s 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care is an all-in-one TCM supplement programme that includes:

  • 28 sachets of herbal powder
  • Cordyceps capsules
  • Mammgation-Duce capsules

Directions on when and how to consume these herbs will be provided upon collection. You can pre-purchase the 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care programme in advance at thomsonnutri.com.

When should I schedule an appointment with the physician to obtain my confinement herbs?

Patients are advised to consult the TCM physician only after delivery. This is to ensure that the prescribed confinement herbs are tailored specifically for both mother and baby’s needs.

  • For mothers delivering at Thomson Medical: Please call 6352 5800 upon admission to the hospital to arrange for our TCM physician to visit you at your ward.
  • For mothers delivering at other hospitals: Please try to visit our clinic on the day of your discharge or within a week from delivery to consult with our physician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care programme suitable for nursing mums?

The confinement herbs in the 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care programme are predominantly plant-based (with occasional inclusion of animal extracts). When prescribed by a qualified TCM physician, these herbs are safe for consumption and do not pose any adverse effects to both the mother and baby. 

In fact, taking Chinese herbal medicine that has been specifically tailored for you may help boost breastmilk production by regulating the flow of Qi and Blood.

Can I take other supplements/herbal soups on top of the prescribed 28-Day Confinement Herbal Care?

If you are taking any other supplements or western drugs, there should be a two-hour interval between taking the confinement herbs and any other supplements or medication.

It is perfectly fine to consume herbal soups in addition to the confinement herbs. However, it is recommended to exercise caution and go easy on the dosage of the herbs used in the herbal soups. If you have any doubts or concerns, it is advisable to consult your TCM physician for guidance.

What herbs are good for confinement?

A confinement herbs list generally consists of herbs recommended for postpartum mothers to speed up recovery and boost breast milk supply. Some of these herbs include:

Dang Gui – Nourishes and replenishes lost blood.

Chuan Xiong: Improves blood circulation to eliminate lochia and clear stagnant blood.

Dang Shen – Replenishes Qi, body fluids, and restores body constitution.

Huang Qi- Supports the immune system, tonifies Qi and Blood and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach for a stronger digestive system.

What can I drink during confinement?

Contrary to popular belief, it is allowed for mothers to drink plain water as it is important to stay hydrated, especially during breastfeeding. From a TCM perspective, it is also recommended to drink red date and longan tea, which has a warming effect and serves as a good source of iron to replenish the blood lost during childbirth. 

What food is good for confinement?

In addition to the confinement herbs, it is recommended to include certain foods in a confinement diet. Ginger and sesame oil can be used for cooking and provide additional nourishment. Tonic wine is known for its benefits in promoting blood circulation, improving breast milk supply, and rejuvenating the body. Including protein-rich foods such as chicken, pork, eggs, beans and legumes is also essential for postpartum recovery and overall well-being.

How do you make a confinement herbal bath?

Confinement herbal baths offer numerous benefits such as improving blood circulation, reducing wind in the body, and alleviating postpartum swelling and pain. Some of the commonly used herbs for bathing include mugwort, ginger, lemongrass, da feng ai (sembong), and Chinese chaste tree. These herbs are known to provide soothing and therapeutic effects for new mothers during their confinement period.

Can I shower during confinement?

Contrary to popular belief, it is perfectly acceptable to shower, bathe, or wash your hair during confinement. However, it is important to use warm water for bathing and ensure that you dry your body and hair promptly afterwards. You may also use the air conditioner and fan, but be mindful of setting them at a comfortable temperature (26 -27°C), avoiding direct airflow towards yourself. 

What should I prepare for confinement?

Confinement is a critical period during which the mother recovers from the physical and emotional exertion of pregnancy, labour, and childbirth. The quality of confinement care plays a significant role in facilitating their recovery. Therefore, the provision of confinement herbs, along with well-balanced confinement meals, is essential to aid in the recuperation process and restore vitality.

For enquiry or appointment request, kindly fill up the form and we will get back to you by the next working day.

Back to Top