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By Alice Yan for South China Morning Post
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A woman in China was seen wrapped in a large plastic bag after being discharged from the hospital following childbirth, a sight that quickly gained traction on mainland social media.
Her story has reignited a debate about traditional health practices for post-partum women.
On December 10, a woman, already dressed in a long and thick down jacket, was filmed by a passer-by as she covered her body from head to legs with a huge plastic bag while walking outside to shield herself from the wind, as reported by Tide News.
The hospital, located in Dalian in northeastern Liaoning province, was experiencing temperatures below 5 degrees earlier this month.
"I just gave birth to a baby and I am quite weak. I don't want to be blown by the wind," the woman was quoted as saying.
"My mother thought of this idea of using the plastic bag to keep out the wind. It is such a good choice because it is cheap while it works well in shielding the wind," she added.
Preventing new mothers from being exposed to the wind is one of the traditional caring practices in China during the one-month-long post-partum period.
New mothers in China are advised to adhere to a strict post-partum confinement and care strategy known as zuo yue zi in Chinese, or "sitting the month", to ensure proper rest and recovery after giving birth.
Prohibited activities during this period include not taking a shower, not washing hair, not brushing teeth, not being exposed to the wind, not lifting heavy objects, not eating fruits, and not consuming salty food.
These restrictions are based on the long-held belief that failure to keep warm, rest adequately, or eat properly post-delivery may lead to long-term health issues such as headaches, dizziness, backaches, and heel pain.
Dr Luo Li, a doctor from Chongqing Anqier Gynaecology and Obstetrics Hospital, noted that while many of these rules lack scientific basis, it is crucial for new mothers to avoid exposure to strong winds.
"We can open the window for half an hour in the morning and in the afternoon for ventilation. During these time slots, we should ensure that the mother and the baby are not directly exposed to the wind," Luo told the news website people.com.cn.
Instances of families providing special care for new mothers often capture attention on social media in China.
Last month, a man in northeastern China used a supersized plastic bag to envelop his post-delivery wife from head to toe, instructing her to recline on a deck chair while he and several male relatives carried her home from the hospital.
Source: South China Morning Post
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