WONG, Lecery Sophia C.

BSN-2I
Traditional beliefs and practices in the postpartum period in Fujian Province,
China: a qualitative study

Zuo yuezi is the month postpartum in China associated with a variety of traditional
beliefs and practices. Zuo yuezi was commonly practiced in urban and rural families to
help the mother regain her strength and protect her future health. Zuo yuezi included:
dietary precautions, such as eating more food and avoiding cold food; behavioural
precautions, such as staying inside the home, avoiding housework and limiting visitors;
hygiene precautions, such as restricting bathing and dental hygiene; and practices
associated with infant feeding, including supplementary feeding and giving honeysuckle
herb to the infant. 
There is widespread emphasis that "doing the month" properly will safeguard future
health. It was commonly believed that this period is the weakest time of a woman's life.
The degree to which this adaptation of practices happens will depend very much on
decision-making and gender roles within the family. Chinese society is grounded in
respect towards elders and this is shown in their acceptance of elders' decisions and
influence. Women may find it difficult to go against beliefs of their elders, without
support of their husbands.
According to Tang et al., (2016) Traditional beliefs and practices in pregnancy and
childbirth are prevalent in Asia. Women’s fear of unnecessary medical interventions is a
barrier to institutional births. Some mothers are fond of using traditional medicine than
medically allied medicines because think that if they took they might be dependent to that
type of medicine already. Also, family’s with low income were more likely to consume
Chinese herbal medicines in the postpartum period they said that Traditional Chinese
Medicine are easily accessible and it can save their money.
The contraindication in using traditional Chinese medicine When asked about
childcare practices during the postpartum period, respondents sometimes reported giving
honeysuckle as an oral medicine to the baby to relieve heat, skin rashes and eye
discharge. It was related to restoring the balance of yin and yang in the baby. Most felt
that the herb was effective, but some were concerned about its effects on the baby's
stomach and gut. Both health workers and traditional medicine practitioners advised
against this practice. They said that honeysuckle is "cold" and will harm the yang of the
baby and damage the spleen and stomach.

There are various of beliefs that were practised and were either beneficial or had no
effect on the health of mother and baby. some beliefs were adapted and were either
beneficial or had no effect and a few beliefs were followed and were harmful. Some
practices that are probably beneficial from a health and social perspective were eating
protein rich food and larger amounts of food; family care and support; rest and focusing
on recovery and the baby; and vulval hygiene. There also was an overwhelming stoicism
amongst women, that as "doing the month" only lasted for 30 days, any difficulties and
inconveniences could be tolerated. Although, they all experienced some degree of
frustration they all felt that the ritual was beneficial for long-term health.

My suggestion is that Instead of reducing the choices available to women during the
birth experience, providers should understand, respect, and integrate cultural
interpretations of childbirth and the needs of women and their families. The health care
providers must educate mothers to have more confidence in their self and give them
insights of what will be the outcome and cons of their actions.
Traditional beliefs and practices in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum: A
review of the evidence from Asian countries

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS (Associate Professor) , Correspondence information about the
author PhD, MHS Mellissa Withers Email the author PhD, MHS Mellissa Withers
, 
Nina Kharazmi, MPH (MPH Student) Email the author MPH Nina Kharazmi
, 
Esther Lim, MPH (Clinical Research Coordinator) Email the author MPH Esther Lim
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2001 North Soto Street SSB
318G, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Asian women suffer the largest proportion of the world’s maternal deaths. To
reduce this, policymakers and healthcare providers must encourage women with traditionally low rates
of maternal health care utilization to access services.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of the most common
traditional practices in Asia relating to pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.

DESIGN: We conducted a literature search of articles: a) focusing on Asia; b) relating to pregnancy,

childbirth or postpartum, c) relating to traditional beliefs and/or cultural practices; and 4) published in
English in the year 2000 or more recently.

FINDINGS: A total of 74 articles are included in this review; 20 articles related to pregnancy, 44 to
childbirth, and 45 to postpartum. More than one-half (38) of the articles focused on South Asia and 13
related to China. In the pregnancy category, the majority of the studies focused on dietary
recommendations and behavioral taboos. For the childbirth category, many articles examined beliefs
and practices that helped to explain women’s aversion to institutional births, such as preference for
traditional birth positions, and fear of medical interventions. In the postpartum period, confinement was
common because postpartum women were perceived to be weak, fragile and vulnerable to illness.
Other prevalent beliefs and practices across Asian countries included massage, the state of pollution
after childbirth, the use of traditional healers and traditional medicine and herbs, beliefs relating to
hot/cold imbalance, behavioral taboos, magic, and superstition.

KEY CONCLUSIONS: Many Asian women continue to practice a wide range of traditional beliefs and
practices during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. More information is needed on the
benefits of formal maternal healthcare services; such educational programs should be geared towards
not only women but also husbands, parents, and in-laws. By recognizing and appreciating common
local beliefs, providers can be better positioned to provide culturally competent care. Instead of
reducing the choices available to women during the birth experience, providers should understand,
respect, and integrate cultural interpretations of childbirth and the needs of women and their families.

Consumption of Chinese herbal medicines during pregnancy and postpartum: A

prospective cohort study in China

Li Tang, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow)a,b, ,Correspondence information about the author PhD Li
Tang Email the author PhD Li Tang

Andy H. Lee, PhD (Professor)b, Email the author PhD Andy H. Lee,Colin W. Binns, PhD (Professor)b,
Email the author PhD Colin W. BinnsYer Van Hui, PhD (Professor)a,c, Email the author PhD Yer
Van Hui Kelvin K.W. Yau, PhD (Professor)a

Abstract
Objective

to investigate usage patterns and factors associated with maternal consumption of Chinese herbal
medicines in China.

Design

prospective cohort study. Information on the use of Chinese herbal medicines was collected from
mothers by personal interview at hospital discharge and followed up by telephone at one, three and six
months postpartum.

Setting

seven hospitals in Jiangyou, Sichuan Province of China.

Participants

695 mothers who gave birth to a singleton infant.

Measurements

prevalence, type, frequency and duration of herbal medicine usage. Logistic mixed regression analyses
were performed to determine factors affecting the use.
Findings

a total of 43.5% and 45.0% of mothers consumed Chinese herbal medicines during pregnancy and
postpartum, respectively. Angelica sinsensis was the most popular herbal medicine among the
participants (pregnancy 28.8%, postpartum 26.8%). Although herbal medicines were taken more
regularly by postpartum users, the median usage duration varied from two to three months during
pregnancy but 1–1.6 months postpartum. The majority of users (pregnancy 42.9%, postpartum 55.1%)
were advised by their mother or mother-in-law to take Chinese herbal medicines. Antenatal alcohol
drinking (adjusted odds ratio 2.75, 95% confidence interval 1.01–7.53) was associated with a marginally
higher prevalence of herbal consumption during pregnancy, whereas mothers with a lower family
income (adjusted odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.12–2.04) were more likely to consume
Chinese herbal medicines in the postpartum period.

Key conclusions and implications for practice

consumption of Chinese herbal medicines appears to be prevalent among Chinese mothers, especially
those drinking alcohol whilst pregnant and women from a lower income household. Maternity health
professionals need to be aware of the lack of evidence to support the use of Chinese herbal medicines
during pregnancy and postpartum, and to provide their clients with scientifically based advice regarding
herbal medicine use.