In the industrialized Western world, much attention is showered on the mother during pregnancy. But once the baby is born, the attention dwindles. From then on, much of the focus is on the baby. The situation is the reverse in many Asian and third world cultures. These mums are actually better cared for during the postpartum period.
In their studies of various cultures, anthropologists G. Stern and L. Kruckman found that many postpartum problems, including postpartum depression, were virtually non-existent. This was discussed in their classic paper entitled “Multi-disciplinary Perspectives on Postpartum Depression: An Anthropological Critique” that first appeared in Social Science and Medicine in 1983. By contrast, about 14% of mothers in developed countries suffer moderate to severe postpartum depression.
Asian Mothers and Postpartum Care
Why do mothers in Asian countries do better after birth than those in Western countries? There are a few factors that work in favor of Asian mothers. There is a specific postpartum period in which the mother:
- Is recognized to be in a vulnerable state.
- Is required to have complete rest and may be secluded from everyone.
- Is given a special diet and observes certain rituals.
- Gets the support and care of family and friends.
Ayurvedic Postpartum Care
In India, new mothers are not supposed to even touch the ground for six weeks after birth! Other female members of the family will take turns helping with housework, caring for the newborn and other children as well as preparing special food for the new mother.
In her article entitled “Postpartum Care, the Ayurvedic Way” which appeared in the December 2003 issue of New Life Journal, Tovia Safford says if a mother is carefully nurtured during the 42 days after birth, both mother and baby will benefit by avoiding many health conditions such as colic, irritability, sleeping difficulty, and postpartum depression. “A mother will also deepen and gain the mental, emotional and spiritual resources need to carry her through all the demands of family life without being depleted,” she writes.
The Ayurvedic approach also emphasizes proper nutrition during this time. Only fresh food, not processed food, is used to cook meals. Herbs and spices such as cumin, ginger, mustard seed, turmeric and cinnamon are frequently used. Daily massages with warm oil are also given to both mother and baby.
Chinese Postpartum Care
Chinese mothers too enjoy a special period known as “confinement” to help them recuperate. The period is usually 30 days although some families extend it to 45 or even 60 days, depending on their financial state. During this period, a caregiver called a “confinement lady” is employed to attend to all the needs of the mother and baby. Poorer families may request the help of older female relatives for the job.
The confinement lady is responsible for preparing special baths with herbs; cooking food rich in herbs, especially ginger; carrying out day-to-day housework and even taking care of the infant at night. She also makes sure that the mother observes all the taboos during this time – no hair washing, no showering with regular tap water, no frequent hand washing, no eating fresh and raw fruits and even no venturing out of the house!
Some of the taboos sound almost ridiculous and new generations of Chinese mothers have actually abandoned some of the more drastic practices. However, the general idea of being completely cared for after birth still appeals to many new mothers.
The Ayurvedic and Chinese ways of pampering and caring for new mothers may seem excessive. But the fact remains that Asian mothers are better rested and properly nourished during the postpartum period, boosting their physical and mental well-being. In the long run, it will allow them to nurture, care and love their own children in more positive ways.
Related Article:
Wei Yin Wong - I started my working life as a reporter at an English daily called The Sun in Malaysia 16 years ago, writing health-related articles. ...
