CHAPTER 41 Retention of Urine During Pregnancy
Aetiology
Excessive physical exercise
Excessive physical exercise injures the muscles and the Spleen and may lead to Spleen-Qi deficiency. When Spleen-Qi is deficient, it may also sink leading to a slight prolapse of the internal organs. In pregnancy, this is aggravated by the pressure of the growing fetus on the bladder which, together with Spleen-Qi deficiency, may lead to a slight retention of urine.
The Medical Collection of Four Families from Meng He says:
Excessive sexual activity, excessive standing or lifting
Excessive sexual activity during the last trimester of pregnancy or excessive lifting and standing may injure the Kidneys and lead to the sinking of Kidney-Qi. In pregnancy, the pressure of the growing fetus on the bladder, together with the sinking of Kidney-Qi, may cause retention of urine.
External Dampness
External Dampness may invade the channels of the legs: in women, it easily settles in the urinary passages. Here, Dampness obstructs the transformation and transportation of urine and may cause retention.
Pathology
The pathology of retention of urine in pregnancy is characterized by a combination of interacting physical and energetic components. The sinking of Spleen-Qi and/or Kidney-Qi may lead to the fetus dropping down slightly and pressing on the bladder; vice versa, the downward pressure of the growing fetus may lead to the sinking of Spleen- and/or Kidney-Qi. Although normally retention of urine may be due to either Full or Empty causes, in pregnancy it is always due to Empty causes; these may be deficiency and sinking of Spleen-Qi or Kidney-Qi. Thus, the treatment consists in tonifying and raising Spleen- or Kidney-Qi and stimulating the Bladder’s function of Qi transformation.
Identification of patterns and treatment
Spleen-Qi deficient and sinking
Clinical manifestations
Frequent but scanty urination, discomfort in the lower abdomen, a bearing-down sensation, restlessness with inability to sit or lie down, pale complexion, tiredness, shortness of breath. Tongue: Pale. Pulse: Weak.
Acupuncture
BL-20 Pishu, Du-20 Baihui, ST-36 Zusanli, BL-28 Pangguangshu. All with reinforcing method.
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