Viral Unique Traditions After Giving Birth In China Women's Body Wrapped In Plastic, For What?

Viral women wrapped in plastic after giving birth, what are the benefits? (doc. South China Morning Post)

JAKARTA - A woman in China went viral on social media because her body was seen wrapped in a large plastic bag after being discharged from the hospital after giving birth. The story again sparked debate about health practices for mothers after giving birth.

Quoted by VOI from the South China Morning Post page on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, according to a report from Tide News, on December 10, the woman was already wearing a long and thick jacket.

A pedestrian can be seen trying to cover the woman's body. Starting from head to toe with large plastic bags to protect yourself from the wind.

The hospital where he is being treated is located in Dalian, northeastern Liaoning province, is experiencing temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius this month.

"I just gave birth and my body is very weak. I don't want to be exposed to the wind. My mother found the idea of using this plastic bag to protect herself from the wind. This is a good choice because it is cheap and effective," said the woman.

Protecting new mothers from exposure to the wind is one of the traditional care practices in China during the post-born period that lasts for one month.

New mothers in China are advised to undergo a strict post-born care strategy known as zuo yue zi or 'Sitting the month' to ensure optimal recovery after giving birth.

Prohibitions during this period include not bathing, not washing hair, not brushing teeth, not being exposed to the wind, not lifting heavy objects, not eating fruit, and not eating salty foods.

This prohibition is based on the old belief that if you don't keep your body warm, take enough rest, or eat properly after giving birth, mothers can experience long-term health problems such as headaches, dizziness, back pain, and heel pain.

Dr. Luo Li, a doctor from the Gynecology Hospital and Obstetri Chongqing Anqier, noted that although many of these rules have no scientific basis, it is important for new mothers to avoid exposure to strong winds.

"We can open the window for half an hour in the morning and evening for ventilation. During that time, make sure the mother and baby are not immediately exposed to the wind," Luo told People.

Family cases that pay special attention to new mothers often attract attention on social media in China.

Last month, a man in northeastern China used a very large plastic bag to wrap his wife who had just given birth, from head to toe. He then asked his wife to lie on a chair, while he and several male relatives took him home from the hospital.