Acupuncture for Postpartum Care: How Your Baby Can Aid Your Recovery, A TCM Perspective.

By Dr Luke McPherson (TCM)

TCM, Acupuncture, Crows Nest

Microchimerism: How a Baby Influences a Mother's Health, A Biomedical & TCM Perspective

Microchimerism; the phenomenon where foetal cells persist in a mother’s body long after pregnancy—has intrigued scientists for decades. These cells, often found in the maternal bloodstream, organs, and even the brain, have been linked to both health benefits and potential autoimmune concerns that. From a biomedical standpoint, microchimerism is believed to play a role in tissue repair, immune modulation, and even the risk of certain diseases. But how does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interpret this phenomenon?

Microchimerism in Biomedical Science

In Biomedicine, microchimerism is understood as the transfer of foetal cells into the maternal body during pregnancy. These cells can remain in the mother for decades, integrating into various tissues and potentially influencing immune responses. Some studies suggest that foetal microchimeric cells may aid in wound healing, while others raise questions about their involvement in autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

The TCM Perspective: The Lingering Essence of Jing

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the presence of foetal cells in the mother’s body could be explained through the concept of Jing (精), often translated as "essence." Jing is a fundamental substance that governs growth, development, and reproduction. During pregnancy, a mother and child share Jing, which is exchanged through the Chong Mai (冲脉), the Penetrating Vessel—one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels that governs prenatal energy.

Even after birth, remnants of the child’s Jing may remain within the mother’s system. This aligns with the idea of microchimerism, where foetal cells persist in maternal tissues long after pregnancy has ended. In TCM, this lingering Jing could serve as a form of inherited connection, offering strength and resilience to the mother while also subtly influencing her health. This highlights how acupuncture for postpartum care, used in conjunction with other TCM treatment modalities, can be a huge help in a mum's recovery

Foetal Cells as Qi Carriers

Another way to interpret microchimerism through TCM is through the lens of Qi (气), the vital life force that flows through the meridians. The foetal cells that remain in a mother’s body could be seen as carriers of the child’s Qi, continuing to circulate within her energetic system. If these cells integrate harmoniously, they may contribute to vitality, improved immune function, and overall well-being.

However, if the body perceives these lingering cells as foreign or disruptive, it could create internal disharmony—manifesting as autoimmune conditions, chronic inflammation, or unexplained fatigue. This imbalance could be understood in TCM as a disturbance of Yuan-Qi unable to nourish Ying-Qi and Wei Qi (卫气), the defensive energy that protects the body from illness.

Implications for Postpartum Health

Microchimerism may also provide insight into postpartum recovery and the cyclical flow of Qi between mother and child. If foetal cells contribute to tissue repair, they could support postpartum healing, much like how TCM recommends nourishing the mother’s Blood and Yin during the postpartum period.

For mothers experiencing long-term fatigue or autoimmune issues after childbirth, TCM practitioners may focus on harmonising the Chong Mai and Ren Mai (任脉, the Conception Vessel) while strengthening Wei Qi through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy.

Last thoughts...

The scientific discovery of microchimerism offers a fascinating parallel to TCM’s understanding of the deep and enduring energetic connection between mother and child. While modern research continues to explore the biomedical implications of these lingering fetal cells, TCM provides a centuries-old framework that sees them not as anomalies, but as extensions of Jing and Qi. By understanding microchimerism through both Biomedical and TCM perspectives, we gain a richer appreciation for the profound, lasting bond between mother and child—one that persists at the cellular and energetic levels long after birth.

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Bibliography

The following Books and Research Articles influenced this article.

1. Burton, G. J. (2023). Fetal microchimerism, pregnancy epiphenomenon or kinship indicator?. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 290(2008), 20231906.

2. Curran, J. (2008). The yellow emperor’s classic of internal medicine.

3. Flaws, B. (2005). Chinese medical obstetrics. Blue Poppy Enterprises, Inc..

4. Maxwell, D. (2019). Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine: The Treatment of Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Journal of Chinese Medicine, (120), 77-78.

5. Pritchard, S., & Bianchi, D. W. (2012). Fetal cell microchimerism in the maternal heart: baby gives back. Circulation research, 110(1), 3-5.

6. Stevens, A. M. (2016). Maternal microchimerism in health and disease. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 31, 121-130.

7. Young, M. (2010). AN EXPOSITION OF THE EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY VESSELS-ACUPUNCTURE, ALCHEMY AND HERBAL MEDICINE. The Journal of Chinese Medicine, (93), 65.