Confinement period is crucial for the mother’s body to recuperate
The postnatal period or confinement is a critical time for new mothers to adapt and recuperate their health. As this may be a totally new experience for some mothers, much energy is channeled into feeding and taking care of the newborn. Thus, many new mothers may find little time to care for themselves and hence conditions such as insomnia, fatigue or depression may be easily triggered.
In traditional Asian culture, the confinement period is crucial for the mother’s body system, which had just undergone the physical demands of pregnancy and labour, to recuperate.
Lochia refers to vaginal discharge after delivery of baby. This usually consists of blood, debris, leukocytes (white blood cells) and serous (watery) fluids from the womb in the first two weeks after childbirth.
Lochiorrhea is excessive amount of lochia especially after more than three weeks of childbirth. Lochiorrhea must be treated as soon as possible to prevent excessive loss of blood that may lead to anemia.
This is defined as abnormally low milk secretion that is insufficient to breastfeed the newborn.
It is important to distinguish hypogalactia from diminished milk secretion due to blocked ducts of the nipples.
There are some recipes from our grandmothers, which have been used over decades to ensure a smooth and pleasant confinement period for new mothers.
Ingredients:
1 pair of pig trotters
1 kg of matured ginger
6 tablespoons of sesame seed oil
4 cups of black vinegar
600 g of brown sugar
4 hard-boiled eggs
9 cups of water
Instructions:
Note: This prescription is NOT suitable for mothers with fever after labour.
Function:
Improves blood circulation in new mothers.
Ingredients:
Artemesia argyi 30 g
Eucommia ulmoides 20 g
Ledebouriella divaricata 20 g
Perilla frutescens 20 g
Instructions:
Essence of Chicken is made from chicken and contains no stimulants. It may improve absorption of iron and thus, restore your blood hemoglobin quicker. Also, it may help to reduce physical and mental fatigue.
Lingzhi helps in the recovery after childbirth and is useful for insomnia or fatigue in new mothers. Due to the different species and product forms (e.g. capsules, tablets, powdered herbs) of Lingzhi, it is strongly recommended to consult your doctor before consumption if you are breastfeeding.
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Source: Dr TAN Thiam Chye, Dr TAN Kim Teng, Dr TAN Heng Hao, Dr TEE Chee Seng John, The New Art and Science of Pregnancy and Childbirth, World Scientific 2008.
This article was last reviewed on 06 Jul 2021
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