Imagine, for the 30-40 days after giving birth you were told you could not shower, go outside in the cold, drink coffee or cold water, and that you had to have a very specific diet that includes mostly ginger, red dates, and pig trotters. Yes, I said PIG TROTTERS.
Every culture has their customs and their traditions, and pregnancy and childbirth isn’t excluded from these. What I just described is typical in Asian cultures, specifically for Chinese women. This period is called “confinement” and it’s a special time in the Chinese culture. It’s believed that pregnancy and childbirth is draining and hard on the body (Is there anyone out there that would disagree?!) and that the first month should be spent focused solely on recovering from the birth and allowing the body to transition back to normal. Some of the beliefs include putting only warmth near the new mother (no ice packs on the perineum), not allowing the mother to wash as it opens the pores and allows cold in, eating a diet rich in warming foods, and having the mother stay inside during the confinement time.
I have worked with several clients who have followed a confinement period, with a strict diet, help from family and a month of careful recuperation. I can’t tell you how amazing I think this can be and how much I wish other cultures could pick up on some of these traditions.
Here in North America there is a strong “Supermom” mentality that exists in regards to childbirth and motherhood. Being able to “do it all” and “get your body back” immediately after birth is praised and rewarded. Think of our celebrities and tabloids and how much they focus on women being back on the red carpet and looking hot less than a month post body. It’s unrealistic and discouraging for us regular moms, who aren’t able to do up our pre-pregnancy jeans and are still sitting around in a breast milk stained top.
Thankfully, here in Canada and because of our taxes, we are blessed with a wonderful maternity leave so we can take the time to recover from birth, learn how to breastfeed, and enjoy and get to know our babies. For women in the US the reality is much different. No paid leave, no time for bonding and stress upon returning to work early. The focus is so far off from tending to the new mother, in fact, it isn’t there at all.
Our culture praises mothers who can bounce back into their old life quickly and who don’t take too much time to recover from birth. Only a lucky few will have family and friends who have prepared meals for them or who come over with intentions other than just to hold the baby.
If we could adopt some of the confinement traditions like respecting the first few weeks after birth, having thoughtful meals planned out, and making sure the mom is warm and rested, I think we could improve the success of breastfeeding, confidence in parenting and general well-being of new moms. I’m fairly certain we all agree that the no-shower thing is just a “bit” much, so let’s all agree to skip that one, shall we?
Here’s a traditional soup meant to help with lactation that many mothers will eat during the confinement period:
How was your first month of postpartum time? Were you cared for and tended to? Did you feel your recovery was difficult- is there something that could have made it easier?
