4th month of pregnancy fetal development
Pregnancy Care

4th Month (week 13-16) Pregnancy Care 懷孕中期養胎

Ni Hao Dear, welcome to your 4th month of pregnancy. Your Triple Burner (San Jiao) meridian is responsible for nurturing the fetus. Acupuncture along the Triple Burner meridian must be avoided in the 4th month. Triple Burner meridian helps fetus to form blood in meridians. This meridian begins at tip of ring finger → up the back of the forearm and upper arm → up the side and back of the shoulder → circle the ear → end at tip of eyebrow.

From TCM point of view, Triple Burner is a function of the body, not a organ. It is a passage way for “Water Essence” to be transferred after being processed by Burners located in the upper, middle, and lower part of the body. Water essence, encompasses body fluid, secretions, qi and blood, sweat and urine. All fluids evolve and communicate with organs, and the Triple Burner oversees this function like an air traffic control. Dysfunctions in the Triple Burner may present as phlegm, dampness, fluid buildup, or excessive fluid loss.

Food wise, eat rice grains and soups of fish and poultry. The abundance of Qi and Blood from consuming nutritious food help open channel of eyes, ears, and create a flow in the meridians. For the smooth formation of the 6 hallow organs* this month, remember to keep calm and steady physically and mentally, and regulate your food and drink.
*6 hallow organs in TCM are: large intestine, small intestine, stomach, bladder, triple burner, and gall bladder.

Dr. Kai-Yun’s
《Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health》 :

★ Pregnancy hormones will especially affect the smooth muscles in your digestive system. The consequence is the slowing of your digestive tract and the three major symptoms: heartburn, gas, and constipation. What the ancient advises is similar to what current doctors would suggest: eat small and frequent meals, chew slowly (mindful eating), and avoid trigger foods that are sweet, greasy, and acid-inducing. Yes, although these foods are tempting, but through a calm body, mind and awareness, it’s easier to make the better choice.

TIP: Dark leafy greens, apples, and unsweetened soy milk can help relieve heartburn.

Homemade Soymilk Recipe :
Use 1 : 10 ratio of soybeans to water. Ex: 100g of beans to 1,000ml of water.
1. Wash and soak soybeans overnight, drain and rinse in the morning.
2. Add beans and 1:10 ratio of water into blender, blend until fine. Adjust water level to desired taste.
3. Transfer mixture to a large pot, medium heat, bring it to boil uncovered, stir often, place a long chopstick or wooden spatula on top of the pot to prevent over spilling when boiled. Reduce heat, simmer for 15-20min.
4. Let it cool and strain* through cheesecloth or strainer.
5. Keep a batch in the fridge for immediate relief of heartburn.
*Straining after boiling will allow more nutrients go into the soy milk.

★ Read more about the 5 elements, mood, food, and pregnancy care relating to this month: https://bit.ly/3-4mpregnancycare


孕媽咪妳好,歡迎來到妊娠第四個月(13-16週),三焦經脈養胎,不可針灸其經,如關衝、陽池、內關、三陽、天井、曲垣等穴。三焦經從無名指開始 → 手臂後側方 → 肩後 → 繞耳一圈 → 到眉梢。妊娠四月,始受水精 (五行: 腎臟),以成血脈。中醫的三焦不是一個有形的器官、它代表著一個綜合”氣化”功能、分上焦、中焦、下焦。簡單來說三焦是一個水道、處理全身跟水有關的精華、而在不同處有不同的功能與型態、譬如: 津、液、氣、血、汗、尿。這些體液與器官互相交流溝通、都要靠三焦的氣化功能、有如航空塔台管制、如果失常、就會出現痰飲、水腫、濕濁、脫水等狀況。

飲食可吃稻米、羹湯可選魚禽類、這些營養可以飽足氣血、來通明耳目 、行走經絡。妊娠四月、胎兒的六腑要順利成長的話、孕媽咪要保持身心寧靜和穩重、也要節制一下飲食。

鄭凱勻醫師之《古老智慧與現代健康》:


★ 懷孕時的荷爾蒙會影響消化系統中的平滑肌肉、導致消化緩慢、以及懷孕中常見的不適: 便秘、脹氣、胃酸。原來古人的智慧跟現代的醫師觀念一致: 告訴媽咪要節制少量多餐、慢慢咀嚼 (正念進食)、跟察覺什麼食物該避免、譬如: 甜食、油膩、容易產生胃酸食物等。雖然這些食物很誘人、但透過身心寧靜與覺察、孕媽咪可以做出更好的決定。

★ 小秘訣: 深綠色菜葉、蘋果、無糖豆漿都可抑制胃酸! 含豐富營養纖維和水分。

★ 詳細逐月的五行養胎心志與飲食的全文:  https://bit.ly/3-4mpregnancycare


徐之才《逐月養胎方》原文:

『妊娠四月,始受水精,以成血脈,食宜稻粳,羹宜魚雁,是謂盛血氣,以通耳目,而行經絡。妊娠四月,手少陽脈養,不可針灸其經,如關衝、陽池、內關、三陽、天井、曲垣等穴是也。手少陽內輸三焦,四月之時,兒六腑順成,當靜形體,和心志,節飲食。』