Postpartum Practices
By leateagee
@leateagee (3667)
China
March 4, 2013 12:45pm CST
I have been confined in our bedroom for two weeks now. As every one may know, I just gave birth to a baby girl. In every country there is a culture that foreigners need to adapt.
I have found out that there are several postpartum practices in China that I have to follow. At first I was thinking I can get away with it but I wasn't able to in respect to the people who cares.
Here are some that I am doing and can remember they ask me to do. I should be in the bedroom for a month -- not allowed to go out even to the bathroom. I should not take a shower for a month. I should only eat warm food. Fruits are not allowed for me to eat since they are cold. I should eat different kinds of soup so I'll have milk needed for nursing my baby. I should always lie flat on the bed. not on the sides. One of teh craziest and oldest was ... I cannot brush my teeth -- but this I beg them, I must brush or else I'll die of my own bad breath. Oh, one more, I cannot cut my nails.
My friends, what about in your country?
What postpartum practices do you have?
What postpartum practices did you do?
I am new to all this. I don't have any sisters and my cousins who gave birth never shared their stories. Everything was a shock to me. But the people around me are supportive so I'm still okay.
Do share my friends. 
My friends, what about in your country?
What postpartum practices do you have?
What postpartum practices did you do?
I am new to all this. I don't have any sisters and my cousins who gave birth never shared their stories. Everything was a shock to me. But the people around me are supportive so I'm still okay.
Do share my friends. 2 people like this
7 responses
@bluespygirl (2112)
• Philippines
7 Mar 13
Hello!
Congratulations on your new born! One of the most rewarding experience in a girls/womans life is being a mother..
As to postpartum experiences, if one is living in the city, most people are not observing it. Living in a rural town like mine have many practices. What I had observed then as being implemented by my inlaws was to wear long pants and socks especially in the afternoon before night until the morning. They say that it is because a new mother's skin pores are open and is prone to diseases that I don't know. I am not advised to comb my hair much too then. It is not allowed too to do laundry and do heavy household stuffs
@leateagee (3667)
• China
7 Mar 13
. I agree. In big cities and with modern parents, there are no old practices anymore. Oh, I can comb my hair as much as I want. They also ask me not to carry heavy things. Good thing I'm allowed to carry my baby. I am so far enjoying motherhood. Though sometimes deprived of sleep I am happy and when thee are people who could help around I sleep as much as I can. @leateagee (3667)
• China
11 Mar 13
Thanks I will. I don't want to miss every firsts of my daughter. 
@bluespygirl (2112)
• Philippines
7 Mar 13
Enjoy motherhood while you can friend! Babies grow fast. Enjoy every minute of it.
@34momma (13882)
• United States
4 Mar 13
Here in America we don't have any practices like that! I mean these seems a bit extreme. I can understand not leaving the house for 30 days and eating certain foods. But not being ableto leave the bed or go to the bathroom, that's a bit much for me. However, respecting others and how they do things is something I would do. like you though, I would need to brush my teeth and at least wash off my important parts.... LOL
@leateagee (3667)
• China
5 Mar 13
Thanks. I enjoy her small developments every day. Congrats too for enjoying your motherhood. @leateagee (3667)
• China
5 Mar 13
Those were their instructions but in reality since my labor was good I mean I didn't have a hard time so as I stay in bed I try to just lay flat when I feel tired but since they are aroun dthey keep on reminding me to take a rest. After 10 days of like these, I ask if I could use my laptop and at least be in touch with the world ... myLot. Well, I have shown to be resting well and following everything so I get a reward ... myLotting. 1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
5 Mar 13
So, you're going to just allow other people to run your life?
I have no plans to give birth to any children. However, if I were to, I would still be myself. I would do things on my terms--whether here in the U.S. or elsewhere.
Just because something is a tradition doesn't mean that it is good. Really, there used to be a practice of foot binding--of crippling females--in China. Finally, some common sense seeped in and that barbaric, misogynistic practice was stopped. However, if it hadn't been, would you allow your little girl to be crippled like that? Or if you were in a country where FGM was common, would you allow someone to butcher your child's body in such a manner?
Stop being so "respectful" to people and do what you want. Do what is right for you.
@leateagee (3667)
• China
7 Mar 13
Of course not. These people who have asked me to do such practices have good intentions. I have asked them also all the whys I could think of before I followed. And I would never let anything harm my daughter. Before the people are afraid to ask or talk back but now we have the freedom to choose. I allowed or I followed these practices because it wouldn't harm me or my daughter. I just have to endure the discomfort . 
@lelin1123 (15594)
• Puerto Rico
4 Mar 13
In the United States I don't know of any postpartum practices. I think its more of ones culture and/or beliefs. I can't imagine staying in bed lying on my back for a month. I can't lay on my back for 15 minutes let alone a month. This is unbelieveble. Plus not being able to eat fruits would get me depressed too. I think this practice would cause me to end up with Postpartum blues and want to kill myself.
I was a little down when I had my first born but I snapped back within a couple of weeks and was ok.
I was a little down when I had my first born but I snapped back within a couple of weeks and was ok. @lelin1123 (15594)
• Puerto Rico
4 Mar 13
By the way goodluck in dealing with this practice and I wish you nothing but the best with motherhood.
@leateagee (3667)
• China
5 Mar 13
Thanks for good wishes. Actually whenever noone is around I lie on my sides and I walk around. I don't think there is harm. I have to move or else I'll be very weak. Well, the people around me are very supportive. Guess what? 15 more days and I can get out. hehehe 
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
5 Mar 13
I don`t think that there are any post partum practices in my country. Doctors give different directions depending on how good delivery was. I don`t know if there were some customs before my time, but if there were, they are all gone by now.
@leateagee (3667)
• China
5 Mar 13
Wih the modernization of everything, the tradition are not practiced by many. The old ones who can remember try to pass to their children.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
4 Mar 13
wow, never knew of those kind of things. We dont have those things here in Mexico.
@leateagee (3667)
• China
4 Mar 13
Maybe for now, you don't know the practices. In the Philippines we have several also but not as much as in China. 
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
13 Mar 13
Hi We share the same country, the Philippines. When I gave birth to my 3 kids, the only thing that my mother won't let me do was to not shower for about 3 days. Just a warm sponge bath. And no lifting of heavy stuffs.
But my younger sister on the other hand, had a different experience. Her parents-in-law lives in Bataan and they were quite superstitious.
Her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law wrapped her up (in a very thick blanket)like a sandwich. On each side of her, they alternately kicked her. Around the hips. She wasn't really hurt much but she was a bit sore from all the kicking.
The reason for that odd practice was to make sure her hips goes back to its normal size asap!
Congratulations for a new baby girl : ) And goodluck in your new journey to motherhood
We share the same country, the Philippines. When I gave birth to my 3 kids, the only thing that my mother won't let me do was to not shower for about 3 days. Just a warm sponge bath. And no lifting of heavy stuffs.
But my younger sister on the other hand, had a different experience. Her parents-in-law lives in Bataan and they were quite superstitious.
Her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law wrapped her up (in a very thick blanket)like a sandwich. On each side of her, they alternately kicked her. Around the hips. She wasn't really hurt much but she was a bit sore from all the kicking.
The reason for that odd practice was to make sure her hips goes back to its normal size asap!
Congratulations for a new baby girl : ) And goodluck in your new journey to motherhood 