Pregnancy and childbirth mark a significant change in a woman’s life, and the postpartum recovery period, commonly known as the “confinement month,” is especially important. Society’s emphasis on postpartum care has given rise to the profession of “maternity matrons.” During this stage, a well-known taboo is avoiding contact with cold water, so what is the relationship between the confinement month and cold water? Let’s delve into it.
Using cold water during the confinement month may have adverse effects on the body, including joint issues, such as being more prone to arthritis and pain in middle age. Additionally, postpartum weakness and exposure to cold may slow down recovery. More seriously, improper behavior during the confinement month can cause irreversible physical damage.
Medically, the postpartum period is recommended to be 42 days, based on the approximate six weeks needed for the female reproductive system to recover to its pre-pregnancy state. Although traditionally the confinement month is counted as 30 days, in reality, at least 42 days are needed to ensure proper buffering and recovery for the body. Some doctors even suggest avoiding cold water for at least 56 days postpartum to prevent susceptibility to cold due to weakened constitution and avoid getting “confinement illness.”
Normally, after the confinement month, gradually reintroducing contact with cold water is acceptable, but caution is still advised. Prolonged or frequent exposure to extremely cold water should be avoided, especially for women who have had a cesarean section; it’s recommended to wait a bit longer to ensure complete recovery.
Due to extreme postpartum weakness, the body is vulnerable to cold, therefore, cold water should be avoided in the early postpartum period, generally recommended to start trying to reintroduce contact at least 40 days later gradually. Premature exposure to cold water might increase the risk of postpartum rheumatism, manifesting as limb pain, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, and other symptoms.
To prevent these issues, it’s advisable in daily life to use warm water to wash hands and face as much as possible and seek help from family members for household chores. If necessary to touch cold water, precautions should be taken to protect oneself, such as wearing waterproof gloves and reducing direct contact time. In summary, it’s crucial to avoid cold reasonably during the confinement month to promote postpartum health recovery.
