What Are Some Of The Confinement Myths?

In Singapore, pregnancy is a very good time for every woman to feel a new life originating within. But there are some factors other than your inside bodily changes that do not let you cherish this beautiful phase of your life. You will be advised time of time not to do this, not to do that as this might harm the health of your baby. This are what we refer to as confinement myths.

Although we are living in a very high-tech world, and modern science has come up with a lot of results about pregnancy, still some myths continue to exist and get transferred from one generation to other. We shall explain some common myths about pregnancy.

Mothers, especially those from Singapore, observe many rules, regulations, and taboos that have been handed down from past generations during the period known as confinement. New mothers and their newborns usually stay home during this period, which lasts for about 28 days. New mothers are given special care and food to help the body recuperate from the trauma of childbirth. Special nannies known as confinement nannies are often hired to help look after new mothers and their newborn.

Keeping Warm
Believed to be weak and “cold” after the delivery of her baby, the new mother should keep warm with “heaty” foods and wear plenty of warm clothing. She is not allowed to go near fans or air-conditioning as she may catch a chill. In observing this
tradition, both mother, and baby suffer the uncomfortable effects of bad ventilation, especially in the tropical heat of Singapore.

Bathing
People from Singapore do not allow new mothers to bathe for a month the following childbirth as they may catch a chill and suffer from rheumatism later on in their lives. There is no experimental basis for such a belief. New mothers are recommended to have warm
baths as cold water may bring on muscle cramps. Using herbs, ginger or lemongrass to rid of wind is not necessary.

Washing hair
Despite the traditional Singapore ban on hair washing during confinement,in Singapore, new mothers are encouraged to wash their hair when they are extra stable on their feet after delivery. The worry is that some women may get giddy spells when shampooing and slip. The tradition is that washing hair during confinement allows “wind” to go into the heads and thus lead to headaches later on. It, again, has no scientific basis.

Alchohol
In opposition to the Chinese belief that liquor builds blood course and warms the body, it is not an absolute necessity after conveyance. It doesn’t help your baby blues state and, If you are nursing, it can be transmitted through bosom drain to your infant. Liquor can show up rapidly in the mother’s foremilk and rear milk as well as reduce milk production as it inhibits
oxytocin release. Studies have shown that nursing baby while drinking can heavily cause developmental delays in the child.

Traditions and Myths about pregnancy and confinement
In Singapore,people believe that a pregnant woman’s behaviour and emotion affects her unborn child. As such, they are not allowed to attend funerals or harm any living creatures. Otherwise, the baby may be born deformed.

From the second trimester, food jam like a cocktail of egg yolk, palm sugar, tamarind and secret herbs or pepper,
honey, lemon juice, and turmeric took with secret herbs are believed to be able to clean the womb.

Around the seventh month, a melenggangperut ceremony is performed to correct the position of the baby and for a safe delivery. There are also rituals like rolling the coconut to determine the sex of the baby. When the coconut stops
rolling and the “eyes” face upwards, it is a boy.

Postpartum
The Malay traditional confinement period is 40 days. A bright light burns day and night in the baby’s home. Exceptional food and
care are given to restore the mother’s health and beauty. Bidan provides full belly massage, therapeutic baths, and jamu.

The stomach is wrapped tightly to “shrink” the belly and jamu are used to cleanse any “dirty blood.” Burning Charcoal is used to warm the feet and to heat up the “cooling” body after baths. The mother is encouraged to move about the house as too much rest prolongs the dirty blood in the mother’s system.

Milk producing jamu are prescribed, and fish is usually removed from the mother’s diet to prevent fishy-smelling milk. The last part of the Malay massage is known as “realigning the womb, ” and it can be painful and, if not done properly, can be harmful.

Be Happy
Share your stress and worries with loved ones and friends. Most mothers start to feel some emotional swings known as “baby blues” around the fourth day of the postpartum period. Talk about your concerns, log onto chat rooms on the Internet, or join hospital support groups.

These will allow you to share with other new mothers the anxieties of having a new baby and the disruptions that it brings.
Make sure that you consult your doctor, nurses or specialists if you feel that the anxieties are overwhelming you.If you are looking more charming throughout the pregnancy, this is because of the girl you are carrying. If you are getting tanner each day, this is because of the boy in your womb.

Treat Yourself
In Singapore,people are urged to indulge yourself in massages (if you had a caesarean delivery, do not massage the tummy), spa treatments and even manicures and pedicures. All these can help you regain a sense of well-being after having been through the traumatic and dramatic process of childbirth. Take time out with your husband without the baby so that both of you can unwind and recharge before going back to the stress and demands of caring for your child.