Zhuo yue. Translated word for word, the Chinese term literally means ‘sit-month’ – the period of post-natal convalescence that – archaic though it may sound – many modern Singaporean mothers, take quite seriously, though not literally. In fact, there is some science behind traditional confinement practices, although some cultural taboos may best be taken a little less seriously. But granny’s advice still sticks with many – for example, Indian women still try to shower between certain hours of the day, Chinese women go on a specially concocted diet and Malay women are strictly confined to the home.
THE LONG-WINDED STORY
While the practices sound dated, the raisond’être echoes the aim of conventional western medicine – to aid wound healing, repair the womb and prevent ailments during this period of low immunity. “Pregnancy puts the female body under stress. It also stretches the abdominal skin and muscles, and the pelvic floor muscles and tissues. The collagen tissues take four to six weeks to recover their elastic tone,” explained Dr Goh Shen Li, consultant of the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital. In fact, right after giving birth, a woman’s uterus weighs 900g, up from its usual 100g, causing much dreaded post-natal bloat.
Traditionalists believe that women who don’t faithfully follow handeddown customs put themselves at risk of backaches, arthritis, rheumatism and incontinence.
Central to all these dire warnings is the concept of ‘wind’ – an idea extending across the Chinese, Malay and India cultures. The term refers to the idea of maintaining the body’s equilibrium during the delicate post-natal time. It is believed that a woman’s pores ‘open’ after labour so ‘wind’ can easily enter the body. For this reason, new Malay mothers are urged to only shower before 6pm and Indian mothers between 11am and 2pm when the sun is particularly sweltering. Strict Chinese adherents go as far as to avoid showering altogether or resorting to a special herbal shampoo made by confinement nannies.
Apart from ‘wind’, another thing that traditionalists in Singapore agree upon is the importance of staying indoors – the whole point of confinement. “This is not just because immunity is lower during this period,” explained Shahnaz Alkaff, a 31-year-old mother of two. “Women bleed for two weeks up to a month after delivery, and after bleeding, Muslim women believe we need to be cleansed so we shouldn’t step out till our bodies are cleansed.”
SPECIAL KNEADS
Caring for many Singaporean mums during the confinement period are confinement nannies who provide round-the-clock care for mother and baby. Some caregivers are so sought after that they are spoken about in the same hushed awe reserved for celebrity stylists. “Confinement ladies are booked eight months in advance because the good ones are hot property,” shared Tammy Tan, 33, a mother and homemaker. In the absence of a confinement nanny, a doting mother, mother-in-law or member of the extended family is usually at hand to offer their repository of knowledge and tender loving care.
In the Malay culture, this special treatment often takes the shape of daily massages believed to expel ‘wind’ and remove blood clots. Even Dr Goh approves. “Massaging the womb via the abdomen encourages contraction of the womb.” In Indian culture, the tactile treat is extended to babies. With mum, granny or auntie sitting on the floor, baby is cradled against her legs from knee to her ankle and bathed with warm water and ginger oil infused with special herbs. “The baby is given a massage to stretch the limbs and give dexterity. This is done every day for a month, and then continued by the parents until the baby grows to a size where it gets uncomfortable,” shared Lathikadevi Nair, vice president of a media company.
Central to all these dire warnings is the concept of ‘wind’.
ON THE MENU
As for food, there are strict rules to follow: Malay women avoid spicy food, eggs, shellfish and coconut milk, while Indian and Chinese mums are traditionally told to avoid drinking plain water. Thankfully, a variety of rich and nutritious substitutes come in. Lean white meat cooked in ginger, sesame oil and Chinese wine are staples on Chinese confinement menu, Malay women are treated to nourishing soups and Indian mothers indulge in rich sweets, drinks and stews. Red date tea is taken as an alternative to water for Chinese women and Malay mums drink jamu– a drink made with lemongrass and turmeric to ‘warm’ the body. Indian women traditionally replace water with garlic-infused milk. This enthusiasm to help new mums recuperate sometimes take on a relentless zeal, “I felt my confinement lady was force-feeding me,” laughed Tammy, “My meals were separate from the family and I had to finish expensive threadfin, meat stewed with ginger and tonic soup, so I got indigestion!”
THE TABOOS
CHINESE
Confinement period: 30 days
- Avoid crying or eyesight will deteriorate
- Avoid any exercise or exertion
- Avoid contact with water, the wind and cold
MALAY
Confinement period: 44 days
- Don’t injure one’s toes (they are believed to be connected to the uterus)
- Avoid squatting or the uterus will ‘drop’
- No reading or watching of television, to protect the eyes
INDIAN
Confinement period: 40 days
- No leaving the bedroom for two weeks after delivery
- No entering the prayer room
- No bathing unless with special herbs and only between 11am and 2pm
