Once the birth is behind you, an overwhelming and turbulent time begins. You get to know the newest member of your family and slowly grow into your role as a mother. For the father, too, these first weeks with the baby are deeply moving and full of new experiences. You've probably heard the term "Wochenbett" before (the German word for the first weeks after birth, literally "weeks in bed"), but in our culture it is far less common than it used to be. Our pragmatic, functional society leaves hardly any room or time to actually practice it.
What exactly is the postpartum period?
"Wochenbett" means the first weeks after birth, when you and your baby get to know each other. Traditionally, you really do spend this time in or on your bed. So that you can devote yourself fully to your baby, you keep physical effort and outings to a minimum during the postpartum period.
How long does the postpartum period last?
There are no fixed rules for how long it lasts or how strictly it is kept. The Duden, Germany's standard dictionary, defines it as the "period of 6 to 8 weeks after delivery during which the changes caused in the female body by pregnancy and birth reverse". (1) During this time the mother is still under medical observation, goes to her postnatal check-ups and recovers from pregnancy and birth. Some women skip this rest period entirely, though. For some it lasts a few days, for others several weeks.
How much time you take for your postpartum period is, of course, your own decision. Many mothers choose the "early postpartum period" (Frühwochenbett in German), which means the first 10 days after birth.
Why do midwives and doctors recommend the postpartum period?
The postpartum period serves two important purposes.
First, the time after birth matters a great deal for building and strengthening a close bond with your baby, and the postpartum period gives you the ideal space for it. Your bed becomes a kind of nest where you can retreat with your baby. It's also a good place for the father to get to know your little one and join you both in this protected space.
Second, your body needs those 6 to 8 weeks after the birth to recover from everything it has been through. Giving birth is without question a physical as well as a mental and emotional challenge. The postpartum period is there for regeneration and rest. Regeneration takes a lot of energy, so it helps if this time can pass as undisturbed and free of distractions as possible.
Other cultures
In other cultures, the postpartum period plays a much bigger role than it does here. In Asia there is a tradition with the funny name "mother roasting". Let's hope nobody accidentally gets roasted for real! The idea behind it is to keep the mother warm the whole time. Warm meals, warm rooms and the right clothing help with that. Many women from the mother's close circle lend a hand so she can recover. She gets massages, fresh hot tea and strengthening herbal tonics. What a luxury!
In China, the time after birth is taken very seriously. New mothers are expected to stay at home for 30 days and not take on any tasks. By old tradition, many rules come with this time: eating meat, along with broths made from fish or oxtail and stews with red dates and ginger. During this time, the woman should not shower or receive visitors.
In Mexico, the postpartum period is called "quarantine" and lasts 40 days. The new mother spends this time in isolation. Only female relatives are around her. They cook, help with the housework and keep every kind of exertion away from her. Traditionally, the midwife is the only person from outside the household who visits the mother.
Depending on upbringing, society and your own outlook, the postpartum period can take very different forms. If you're curious, let other people and other cultures inspire you. What matters most, though, is that you listen to yourself and your body. If you can, take time with your baby and look after yourself. You'll find the right way for you.
The postpartum period at Lottili
We'll be looking at the postpartum period in more detail in upcoming posts. If you'd like to explore the first weeks after birth more deeply with us, stay with us and check back on our blog every now and then. We look forward to seeing you here.
Sources:
(1) https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Wochenbett
