The objectives of the confinement are :
1) To restore the woman's general health and well-being
2) To restore the woman's overall body and in particular the reproductive organs to their pre-childbirth size and state
3) To re-align and re-balance the body
4) To expel any impurities,toxins and 'wind' from the body
5) To ensure that the woman loses all fat gained during pregnancy and regain/attain a slim and trim figure
There are several processes that happens during the confinement which include :
Herbal Bath
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For at least 3 days, but preferably throughout the confinement period, several types of herbs are boiled and its essence,mixed with warm water, is used for bathing. The herbs usually include leaves of some or all of the following plants :
- Serai wangi (Fragrant lemon grass / citronella - Cymbopogon nardus rendle)
- Mengkudu (Noni - Morinda citrifolia)
- Lengkuas (Galangal - Alpinia galanga)
- Bunga kantan ( Torch ginger - Etlingera elatior)
- Lempoyang ( Shampoo ginger - Zingziber zerumbet)
- Setulang or tulang tulang (Finger tree - Eurphorbia tirucalli)
- Inai (Henna - Lawsonia inermis)
- Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius)
- Kunyit ( Tumeric- Curcuma longa)
- Pisang hutan (Wild banana- Musa acuminata)
- Jambu batu ( Guava - Psidium guajava)
- Seringau ( Cat's tail - Uraria crinita)
- Temu lawak ( Java ginger - Curcuma zanthorrhiza)
- Temu pauh ( Mango ginger - Curcuma alba rhizoma)
- Limau purut ( Kafir lime- Citrus hystrix )
The herbal bath is said to refresh the body , remove any body odour, increase general wellness and helps the body recharge itself.
Menungku
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Menungku involves using either a stone or an iron rod which has been heated up and then wrapped with Mengkudu/ lengkuas/Ghelempon( bari-bari) or lemuni ( Three chaste tree- Vitex trifolia var negundo) leaves and covered with cloth. This is then used to press against the abdomen particularly in the area surrounding the uterus. The menungku helps to dislodge and expel any blood clot from the uterus, helps the uterus shrink to its pre-pregnancy size, helps to melt body fat around the abdomen area and soothes any aches and pains in the area.
The menungku is done preferably twice a day, once in the morning after bathing and the other in the late afternoon. Each session should last about an hour for it to be most effective.
Herbal powder
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Herbal powder can be made by grinding the following leaves that have been sun-dried :
- Jerangau (Sweet Flag - Acorus calamus)
- Temu lawak (Java ginger- Curcuma zanthorrhiza)
- Halia bentong ( Ginger - Zingiber officinale )
- Kunyit ( Tumeric - Curcuma longa )
- Cekor ( kaempferia galanga )
The ingredients are then mixed with 'bedak sejuk' which is powder made from fermented rice.
The herbal powder is used all over the body to prevent 'wind' and coolness from entering the body.
Herbal face powder
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The powder can be made using cinnamon powder mixed with 'bedak sejuk' . The powder is usually spread on the forehead to prevent headaches and for general health.
Diet
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During confinement it is recommended to avoid the following food :
- Food that have a cooling effect such as most vegetables and fruits
- Food that gives gas/flatulence such as beans,pumpkin,kangkung
- Food that are 'bisa' / 'toxic/acidic' such as pineapple
- Food that causes allergy or irritation such as eggs,prawns, squid and shellfish
It is recommended that the diet comprises of free-range chicken, salted fish,deep sea fish cooked with plenty of garlic, ginger and black pepper. Preferably the food should be steamed, boiled, grilled or lightly sauteed. For vegetables it is recommended to eat 'ulam' (raw vegie/salad ) such as ulam raja (Cosmos caudatus) and pegaga ( Centella asiatica ). My mother used to say that eating pegaga everyday will make you like a virgin again !
Bengkung
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Bengkung is a long piece of cloth ( some up to 6 metres in length) used to wind around the confined woman's body from the thighs upwards to just below the breasts. Nowadays there are modern ones that look like corsets with lace-work like those worn in the Victorian era.Before putting on the bengkung you need to apply herbal powder or a mix of 'limau purut' (kafir lime) juice and 'kapur' (lime) , to the stomach area. The wearing of the bengkung helps to shrink the uterus and at the same time slim down the abdomen and waist area.
Mengurut
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Mengurut or body massage is recommended for at least three days, performed by an experienced massage lady or a midwife. The purpose of the massage is to expel wind from the body, relax tensed muscles and restore the uterus to its original position. A scented herbal oil is used for the massage.
Jamu
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Jamu which is either in the form of liquid, powder or capsules are a concoction of various herbs that are taken for the general well-being after child-birth. Those who are breast feeding are however advised to reduce the dosage or postpone the taking of jamu so as not to affect the baby as the heatiness of the jamu may affect the digestive system of the baby.
A woman in confinement starts her day with a herbal bath followed by menungku. After that she applies herbal powder all over the body and herbal face powder on the temples. Then she applies herbal mixture to the abdomen area and put on the bengkung. For three days that she undergoes massage , it is recommended that the massage be done before breakfast.
I am a strong proponent of the Malay confinement practices despite being half English, and went through them religously after the birth of each of my 4 children. And now that I have grandchildren of my own, I am glad that my daughter is influenced to follow my footsteps.
