In the 3rd and 4th Months of Pregnancy, the Pericardium and San Jiao (Triple Burner) Meridians of the expecting mom is responsible for nurturing the fetus. These Meridians help form shape, blood vessels, and the 6 hallow organs. It is advised to avoid acupuncture or acupressure along the Pericardium meridian in the 3rd month and San Jiao meridian in the 4th month.
From 5 Elements’ point of view, Pericardium and San Jiao are Fire element, correlating to the season of Summer. Imagine that sprout from Spring is now in full bloom: be joyous, go out for a walk, stretch out, observe beautiful and spectacular things.
In the ancient times, it was believed that because the fetus has not yet formed shape, therefore a mom’s observation and temperament can affect the nature or orientation of the fetus. Emotions related to Pericardium and San Jiao is joy. Most expecting moms are showing the bump at 3-4 months, your social circle may be finding out about your pregnancy. This can create an exciting or stressful time, and your emotions can run high. The Pericardium is a guard to the Heart, which houses the mind or “Shen” spirit. Remember to keep steady and calm, avoid overjoy, grief, or fright.
Fire element relates to the color of Red and the taste of Bitter. To nourish these Meridians, choose qi and blood boosting whole foods that are well cooked, and easy to digest. Congee porridge with B-vitamin rich vegetables, fish, or poultry is an example that helps the nervous system, qi and blood. Because energy of the Summer rises to its uppermost, morning sickness can still be experienced in the 3-4 months. Bitter food in general has the energy to descend the Qi, thus bitters would be helpful towards calming morning sickness. Examples of Fire element foods: red beets, bitter leafy vegetables, bitter melon, carrots, red apples, red dates, cherries, etc.
妊娠3-4月，名始胎。
行走心包和三焦經，以氣血養胎，
血脈貫通，六腑成形。
五行心包和三焦屬火，
如同夏天生長，萬物茂盛的樣子。
心情愉悅，但勿歡樂過度，
避免悲哀、思慮、驚動。
此時胎兒未有定儀，見物而化，
所以胎教更是重要，
多參與和接觸美好事物。
胎兒五臟六腑初形成，經絡也開通，
注意動作與心志，穩靜以及調節飲食。
稻麥、禽魚類皆可，足以盛血氣 ，
飲食均衡，有節制不過量。
可選紅色和苦味食物，以熟食易消化為主。
