In many East Asian cultures, childbirth marks not just a beginning, but a sacred period of recovery known as Zuò Yuè Zi, or “sitting the month.” Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this postnatal confinement practice emphasizes rest, warmth, and nourishment to restore balance and vitality after delivery, which is said to deplete the mother's qi, or vital life force. In the modern and busy world of working mothers with unpaid maternity leave, is it possible to incorporate facets of an ancient rejuvenating practice into the home?

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kristal Lau, MBBS, MPH, BMedSc. Dr. Lau is a board-certified physician with over a decade of experience, ...