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Postnatal recovery Japanese style

There was one other interesting discovery that I made in Japan that I want to share with you.

Have you noticed how neat and trim Japanese women are, even after they have given birth several times? I am sure you have! I wonder if it has anything to do with their traditional practise of binding the woman’s pelvis for a few weeks after the birth? This technique was shown to me by Hatsue at the oldest Midwife House.

She took a long strip of soft cotton and wound it very firmly around my hips, trying it neatly in the front and tucking in the ends. It felt terrific - very supportive and comfortable. Hatsue explained that it was designed to hold the pelvic bones together but it would also help bring the stomach muscles together at the front. Lifting and carrying a baby would be a lot easier with this pelvic support too.

Women bind themselves each day for around the first three weeks after the birth. I think it is a wonderful idea. Judging from the photo, you can see that I could probably do with the binding a little higher up - all those delicious Japanese meals were taking their toll!

Posted by andrea at January 18, 2006 02:34 PM