Congratulations Mommy! Congratulations on the good work during pregnancy and now Childbirth! So…...finally, you’re done with Childbirth and entering the Fourth Trimester! However, you may be distraught to realise that all the so-called confinement NO-NOs are even worse than being in labour.
Please don’t get me wrong, you can still believe in them and heed these advice at your sole discretion. This is solely my POV and how I perceive these so-called restrictions during confinement.
I only had one motto for my confinement which was: “HAPPY CONFINEMENT”. I made it a point to not fret over the small stuff just in case I enter postnatal depression without even knowing. To me, a happy confinement is a GOOD confinement!
1. NO Showering for the whole Confinement Month!
The myth implores that showering will cause “wind” to enter the body. This is said to lead to all sorts of diseases later in life, including chronic headaches and arthritis.
Honestly, I feel if someone is gonna do this for the whole month, it’s very UNHYGIENIC?! No matter if you are a mommy who just went through a vaginal birth or cesarean section, it’s almost common sense that you have to keep your wound clean. I don’t know how anyone can make it through without showering for a month in this kind of weather. And more importantly, you are expected to sweat a lot during confinement with all the intake of herbs and alcohol….
Do you know how much germs and bacteria can thrive in warm, wet and humid conditions? I felt the above myth was more applicable for countries with four seasons or generally experience colder climate conditions. To apply it in Singapore’s context, it’s almost impossible.
During my confinement for my first-born, I bathed after the epidural went off and I remembered feeling a thousand times better in terms of comfortability and happiness. It feels miserable enough already to be suffering from the pain from the wound as I had vaginal birth, it will definitely feel worse to let it stay warm, unclean and wet (from the bleeding).
So yes, I think it’s more important to keep clean, keep dry and stay hygienic during your postpartum recovery!
2. NO fans / air-conditioning; wear long-sleeve and keep warm!
The reason behind this myth is stated as “prevent wind from entering the body which can cause future ailments like rheumatism, low immunity etc.” As understood that after birth, a mother’s body enters a whole new reset and it’s vital to give it a good foundation so as to ensure that one does not suffer from unnecessary issues when in old age.
However, in practical terms, Singapore’s average temperature is between 25 - 32 degrees celsius and that actually signifies that we are living in a summer climate all year round. With absolutely no fans / air-conditioning and still clad in long-sleeve outfits, this may be too much heat for a Mommy who just gave birth. Not only is it important to stay clean during postpartum, keeping cool is also essential to keep one’s emotions in check and prevent unnecessary issues like bacterial growth, dehydration etc.
Give yourself a break mommies, if you think you need that air-con, please on it!
3. NO or limit movements; don’t carry your baby!
The myth states that if you move unnecessarily during confinement, you are not giving your body a proper rest and it may cause your brittle bones, backaches and what not. You are also not allowed to carry your baby because you may end up with a weak hip or dislocation because everything is under “reconstruction” during this specific period of time.
I do agree mommies need to grab ample rest during confinement after all your body just gave birth to a life and it has done lots of work! However, with NO or limited movements, your muscles may lose their strength and your recovery may not be so ideal since you are lying in bed all day long? Walking around in your own house to loosen up those stiff muscles to aid in recovery sounds more ideal.
And what?! No carrying of your baby? This is the BEST time to bond with your little one before your maternity leave ends and you may have to go back to the office afterwards.
I feel maybe the better phrasing should be: “carry your baby carefully in the right way so as not to injure yourself”. Good posture goes a long way!
4. NO crying or reading!
I don’t know…. But I feel crying is good for your emotional health if it’s really needed? Apparently, the myth states that if you cry or read during confinement, you may strain your eyes and some even speculate that you’ll become BLIND!
Excuse me? I really don’t know what are the scientific facts to back this myth but I’m very sure if I need to cry and I’m ordered not to cry, I will probably feel even worse for the rest of my confinement?
During postpartum, a mother is at her weakest. It’s so easy to snap at the small little things just because things may just seem gloomy, the lack of sleep, engorgement and many other factors. And that’s why it’s so common for Mothers to contract postnatal depression during this vulnerability. Dealing with your emotions will be the first step to take and if a mother needs to break down to get over a certain trigger, she has to!
Also, I would rather be reading than watching the television to be honest. During confinement where you may not be in the best condition to go out leisurely, reading will be a great option to kill time, isn’t it? Just be sure to read under the circumstances where there is sufficient light!
5. NO Plain Water!
Apparently, you are expected to be drinking red date tea all day long for the whole month! NO WATER IS ALLOWED because it is believed to cause water retention and “wind” will enter your body.
Do you know that if you are a breastfeeding mom, the amount of liquid you need in your body needs to increase to meet your hydration needs? Staying hydrated is the way to go if one wants to find success in breastfeeding. More importantly, even if you are not breastfeeding, you will also need to replenish your body liquid.
I don’t know why there is “wind” in plain water or what is the real science behind this. But I am sure if you are just gonna drink red date tea all day long, your body may end up being too heaty!
6. NO leaving the house!
One of the last few myths stating that if you leave the house, the external “wind” will enter your body. Okay… if you don’t want the outside “wind’ to enter your body, then I suppose you just have to cover yourself better if it’s really cold? But if the weather is normal (honestly, I can’t recall when Singapore actually had hurling wind or typhoons), I don’t think there will be “wind” entering your body.
IF you need a walk to loosen up that tension in you, I’d encourage you to leave the house and go for a walk! As long as it doesn’t strain your wound and you are well enough to be out and going, I don’t see why you shouldn’t! Maybe not shopping in a shopping mall for hours, but I reckon a walk in the park or nearby to run some errands, have a change of scenery will be great for your postpartum recovery!
What is a good confinement if you are so miserable trying to adhere to all these myths?
Ultimately, confinement is the golden month where Mothers get to rest in and recover properly from their wound after giving birth. Recuperate in the way you need and don’t stress yourself to fulfil confinement in misery. Not only is your recovery important, your emotional health is as important too!
With that said, if you are reading this during confinement or you are in your last trimester - waiting for birth, all the best to you and share with us if you did do away with all these myths as stated or did it your way! Sending all our love and support to you Mommies!
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