Collapse after Childbirth

CHAPTER 55 Collapse after Childbirth



AETIOLOGY 673

PATHOLOGY 673

IDENTIFICATION OF PATTERNS AND TREATMENT 674
Collapse of Qi with deficiency of Blood: Flaccid Syndrome 674

Blood stasis: Tense Syndrome 675

PROGNOSIS AND PREVENTION 676

WESTERN VIEW 677

Collapse after Childbirth indicates a condition characterized by severe dizziness with a sudden onset. The woman cannot stand or sit, she has blurred vision and a feeling of tightness of the chest, she suffers nausea and vomiting and, in extreme cases, may faint.



Aetiology




Severe blood loss during childbirth


If there is a massive loss of blood during childbirth, Blood becomes exhausted and this induces a collapse of Qi. Since the Heart governs Blood and houses the Mind, a severe exhaustion of Blood will deprive the Mind of its residence and this causes the sudden dizziness and fainting.



Exposure to cold during childbirth


Exposure to cold during childbirth may lead to stasis of Blood after delivery. Stagnant Blood, taking advantage of exhaustion of Qi caused by childbirth, rises and harasses the Mind causing sudden dizziness and a feeling of tightness of the chest.



Pathology


From the pathology point of view, there are two main conditions, both characterized by a deficiency of Qi: in one there is a severe deficiency of Blood, and in the other a stasis of Blood. The former pattern is characterized by profuse discharge of lochia and is called ‘Flaccid Syndrome’, the other by retention of lochia and is called ‘Tense Syndrome’. The distinction between Flaccid and Tense Syndromes is somewhat similar to that for Wind-stroke; they are differentiated on the basis of symptoms, pulse, tongue and uterine bleeding.


In the Flaccid Syndrome, the situation is of collapse of Qi, with profuse discharge of lochia, pale complexion, palpitations, mental confusion, fainting, closed eyes, open mouth, cold limbs, and Deep and Fine pulse.


In the Tense Syndrome, there is a scanty discharge of lochia or no discharge at all, dark complexion, chest and abdominal pain, fainting, closed mouth, clenched hands and a Full, Rapid pulse. It corresponds to the ‘Lung rebellion’ of the ‘three rebellions’ (san chong) mentioned at the beginning of this section, i.e. stagnant Blood in the Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai) rising upward with rebellious Qi, and harassing the Lungs, causing the above symptoms.



Clinical Note



• Flaccid Syndrome: profuse discharge of lochia, pale complexion, palpitations, mental confusion, fainting, closed eyes, open mouth, cold limbs, and Deep and Fine pulse

• Tense Syndrome: scanty discharge of lochia or no discharge at all, dark complexion, chest and abdominal pain, fainting, closed mouth, clenched hands, and a Full, Rapid pulse

The treatment of the Flaccid Syndrome is based on rescuing Qi from collapse and nourishing Blood, while that of the Tense Syndrome is based on invigorating Blood, eliminating stasis and subduing rebellious Qi.



Identification of patterns and treatment



Collapse of Qi with deficiency of Blood: Flaccid Syndrome



Clinical manifestations


Profuse bleeding after childbirth, sudden vertigo, pale, white complexion, palpitations, fainting, cold limbs, sweating. Tongue: Pale, Short. Pulse: Fine, Scattered.



Treatment principle


Rescue Qi, nourish Blood.



Acupuncture


Ren-4 Guanyuan, Ren-6 Qihai, Du-26 Renzhong. ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, Ren-8 Shenque, Du-4 Mingmen, BL-23 Shenshu. All with reinforcing method; moxa must be used.




Explanation


– Ren-4, Ren-6 and Ren-8 with moxa cones (on salt in the case of Ren-8) rescue Qi and Yang from collapse.

– Du-26 promotes resuscitation.

– ST-36 and SP-6, with warm needle, tonify Qi and Blood.

– Du-4 and BL-23 rescue Yang from collapse. These two are used if the symptoms of collapse of Yang are pronounced (such as cold limbs).


Herbal treatment



a Prescription



– DU SHEN TANG

– Solitary Ginseng Decoction


Explanation

This formula is specific for collapse of Qi following loss of Blood. White Ginseng is used for Collapse of Qi and Red Ginseng for Collapse of Yang.

Related posts:

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  2. Prolapse of the Uterus
  3. Acupuncture and Herbal Treatment in Midwifery
  4. Endometriosis

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Jun 6, 2016 | Posted by in GYNECOLOGY | Comments Off on Collapse after Childbirth

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