Chinese confinement myths after childbirth – Confinement, the period which according to Chinese tradition lasts 30 to 40 days after a woman gives birth, has been the focus of many myths. Chinese women historically practiced a period of extremely strict home confinement during this period. According to this belief, going outdoors at this time would be harmful; in the past, when there were high rates of both infant and maternal mortality, it was thought this practice was necessary to protect mother and baby from anything detrimental that might be in the environment. And indeed, when a woman has gone through […]