Nurturing Pregnancy: Modulating the Center

Nurturing Pregnancy: Modulating the Center

From A Pebble in the Cosmic Pond by Sabine Wilms PhD

January 19, 2026 · 56 min · Season 4 · Episode 14

About this episode

This episode explores the therapeutic potential of the middle trimester in pregnancy through the lens of over 2000 years of Chinese medical literature.

Most attention in the medical care of pregnancy focuses on preventing miscarriage in the tender first trimester, on the one hand, and on preparing for a smooth and safe labor and delivery in the last trimester. But what about the middle? In this episode, Leo and Sabine delve into over 2000 years of medical literature on this topic in China to look at the therapeutic potential of the middle trimester in pregnancy. We start out by zooming in on the two formulas for the fourth and fifth months of pregnancy cited by Sun Simiao "in case of injury to the fetus/pregnancy," analyzing their key ingredients title for the intended treatment strategy: "Modulating the Center Formula" and "Making the Center Peaceful Formula," respectively. We then explore ways to achieve these goals by more accessible and possibly safer means, such as by substituting maiya (sprouted barley), breath work, and daoyin to facilitate the free flow of Qi through the channels. Lastly, we take a step back to discuss the unique challenges of caring for not just one but two bodies during pregnancy, as two distinct constellations of Qi, which in turn are interacting with the external environment as mediated through the…

People in this episode

Host: Sabine Wilms

Guest: Leo

Topics covered

  • pregnancy
  • Chinese medicine
  • therapeutic potential
  • Qi
  • healthcare
  • midwifery

Keywords

  • pregnancy
  • Chinese medicine
  • mid trimester
  • Qi
  • healthcare
  • therapeutic formulas

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