Retained Placenta in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different retained placenta patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Retained placenta is a medical condition occurring after childbirth where the placenta, or a part of it, remains in the uterus instead of being expelled naturally. This can lead to complications such as infection or hemorrhage. It’s a critical condition that requires prompt medical attention to prevent further health risks to the mother.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), retained placenta is often attributed to a disharmony in the body’s energy flow post-delivery. TCM views this condition as a result of Qi (vital energy) and Blood Stagnation within the uterus. The focus is on restoring the balance and flow of Qi and Blood to facilitate the natural expulsion of the placenta and promote healing.
TCM Patterns for Retained Placenta
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause retained placenta
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
Diagnostic signs
Choppy (Se), Full (Shi), Deep (Chen), Rapid (Shu)
The tongue is typically reddish-purple, reflecting the combination of Heat (redness) and Blood Stasis (purple hue). Stasis spots or ecchymoses may be visible on the tongue body, particularly towards the root, which corresponds to the lower body. The sublingual veins are often distended, dark, and tortuous, which is one of the most reliable signs of Blood Stasis. The coating tends to be yellow and dry, reflecting interior Heat consuming fluids. In severe or prolonged cases, the tongue surface may appear dry with prickles, indicating intense Heat scorching the Blood.
Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
Diagnostic signs
Choppy (Se), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Deep (Chen)
The tongue body is typically purple or dark-purple, often with visible stasis spots or petechiae, reflecting the Blood Stasis component. It may also be somewhat swollen or puffy with teeth marks along the edges, indicating the Phlegm-Dampness element. The coating is characteristically white and greasy or sticky, pointing to Phlegm accumulation. The sublingual veins are frequently distended, dark, and tortuous. In cases where the pattern has persisted for some time or there is underlying Cold, the tongue may appear bluish-purple rather than reddish-purple.
Diagnostic signs
Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian)
The tongue body is typically dark purple or dusky, sometimes with visible purplish spots or patches, particularly along the edges. A key finding is distension and darkening of the sublingual veins, which appear engorged, tortuous, or branched when the tongue is lifted. The tongue coating is usually thin and white, as this is primarily a Blood-level pattern rather than one involving significant Dampness or Heat. In cases where the stasis has persisted for a long time and Yin has begun to be consumed, the tongue may appear somewhat dry. If Cold is a prominent contributing factor, the tongue may lean toward a bluish-purple hue.
Herbal Formulas for Retained Placenta
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address retained placenta