Mama Wisdom explores the beautiful and diverse experiences of motherhood.
Each month, we feature a new mama who shares her personal journey through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
In our second edition, we explore the pregnancy journey of Lauren Curtain, who integrated her deep knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine into her approach to motherhood. Lauren discusses how she proactively supported her menstrual health years before conception, establishing a strong foundation for her fertility and a smooth pregnancy. She also shares her experiences finding solace in nature during the stressful times of COVID lockdowns, and the crucial support from herbal supplements during her postpartum recovery. Reflecting on the challenges and what she would change for the future, Lauren offers valuable insights into maintaining health and balance, emphasising the importance of self-care for mothers.
We hope you enjoy this read as much as we did 🤎
1. How did your background in traditional Chinese medicine influence your approach to your own pregnancy?
My background in Chinese medicine played a huge role in my journey to motherhood. Beginning right back years prior to falling pregnant when I intentionally worked on supporting my menstrual health to be as optimal as possible. An underlying principle in Chinese medicine is that the menstrual cycle is the foundation of fertility, the healthier the period and cycle, the better fertility will be. Working on my menstrual health was really the beginning of my preconception care, beginning 5+ years before I even began trying to conceive. Utilising Chinese medicine principles, I was able to heal many different aspects of my menstrual health that were less than ideal, and used my cycle as direct feedback on how my fertility was progressing, as well as knowing if I was indeed ready to conceive based on the health of my cycle. I attribute a lot of the intentional and consistent work both my partner and I put in for the years prior to my falling pregnant quickly and easily with no complications and a relatively smooth pregnancy. Then during pregnancy I continued to lean on Chinese medicine principles for how I wanted to navigate pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
2. Another TCM question - What herbs or herbal formulas did you personally use during your pregnancy, and how did they benefit you?
Typically Chinese herbal medicine formulas are given when there is something specific to be targeted and supported, since I was quite well during pregnancy there wasn’t really anything for me to “treat” with a Chinese herbal formula, however I did lean on a few herbs including nettles and red raspberry leaf. I would made an overnight infusion with both of these herbs (with some rosebuds!) from about second trimester onwards. A lot of people think that red raspberry leaf brings on labour and should only be drunk at the end of pregnancy, this is not the case! Red raspberry leaf does not bring on labour or stimulate contractions, it is purely just a mineral rich herb that is traditionally said to support the strength of the uterus. Nettle is an incredibly mineral rich herb that is like natures multivitamin. My body responds to nettles so quickly, I always feel a shift in energy, mood and mental clarity when I drink nettle infusions and it was a beautiful support during pregnancy.
Postpartum is when I leant heavily on Chinese medicine herbal formulas. From my day 1 postpartum I began drinking 1L of a herbal formula per day (this is A LOT more then a standard dose), and continued for my first month postpartum. The goal of these herbs were to support my energy recovery after a very intense multi day labour and birth, as well as support milk production and mood in the tender first days and weeks postpartum! I still continue to use herbs in my motherhood journey now and couldn’t imagine not having these allies to lean on.
3. You spent so much time outside in nature during your pregnancy. Tell me more about this - how did it make you feel being in nature and why was this important to you?
This was incredibly important to me to be out as much as I could. Instinctively I just wanted to slow down massively while I was pregnant. I was pregnant during Covid lockdowns and it was a very stressful time, and I knew I needed to counter balance that as much as I could to support both my and my babies nervous systems. Being in nature is one of the quickest and easiest ways for me to feel calm, connected and minimizes my problems and worries almost instantly. Living on the Mornington peninsula we are lucky enough to be surrounded by so many varied and incredible landscapes and ecosystems to become immersed in.
4. How did you personally cope with sleep deprivation and fatigue during those early postpartum days/ first year of motherhood? Did you call in extra nutritional support from food, supplements or self care practices?
I’ll be honest, I found the first year (and longer) of sleep deprivation and fatigue to be incredibly challenging. Not having that time to properly rest and recuperate quickly put my body into a state of chronic stress and survival mode. Becoming a mother is an absolute whirlwind and so much of my self care routines and practices quickly fell by the wayside. I was completely immersed in taking care of my daughter that my own care became low on the priority list, which I know is such a universal experience for so many mums. I can’t remember at what stage it was, but I eventually had the space and bandwidth to support myself better with herbs and supplemental support again.
5. Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently during your postpartum period? If yes, why?
Yes! While there are many aspects I’m so happy with, like how I did not rush my recovery at all and had a very slow postpartum period, there are some things I would change looking back on it. I would have gotten more support with sleep during the first year, I would have asked for help more and intentionally carved out some regular time for myself (even just 30 mins a week!) where I could be totally alone and be able to do something replenishing to fill my cup. I did not want to be away from my daughter at all and wanted to be with her every second, and we (literally) were! And whilst that is beautiful and what I wanted, it also meant I had very little time to ensure I was also okay and cared for physically, mentally, emotionally, all the things! If I am lucky enough to have another baby in the future, this is something I will absolutely prioritise.
6. As a mother, why is it important to be in optimal health, and what does being healthy mean to you?
Being in optimal health as a mother is critical because if mama isn’t well, neither is the family. We are our children’s first role models and I often take this into my decision making, would I want my daughter to replicate what I’m doing? Because she will, so it’s my job to ensure what she is seeing and learning by watching me is in her absolute best interests. That carries through our approaches to food, relationships, how we talk about our bodies, how we engage with others, everything! To me being healthy is a picture of vibrant ease. The body is functioning easily and there is peace mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. To me Health means love and joy are easy to access and my body is strong and able to carry me through life’s demands and adventures.
A little more about Lauren 🤎
Lauren Curtain is a degree qualified Chinese medicine practitioner, acupuncturist, herbalist and women’s health educator. Lauren has been supporting women in her work for nearly a decade, and in that time has focused her clinical practice solely on supporting women to understand and improve their menstrual health and fertility. Lauren is known for her gentle, approachable nature and the way she is able to explain complex health topics in an easy to understand way from both an eastern and western perspective. Lauren has contributed to several popular books in the women’s health field, is a frequent podcast guest and regularly writes women’s health focused articles for brands and online publications.
Lauren is based on the Mornington Peninsula with her young family where runs her busy virtual women’s health clinic, treating patients from both Australia and around the world.
You can find Lauren on instagram here @laurencurtain