Postpartum Care Impact on Malayan Mothers in Pontianak, Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analyze postpartum care impact on Malayan people in Pontianak. It also explores the cultural traditions of the Malayan community in relation to postpartum care and how they deal with mothers during the postpartum period. Study Design: A cross sectional study. Subjects and Methods: The method used in this study is a qualitative research method with an ethnographic approach. This research was conducted in East Pontianak District, within the Malay ethnic community in the Malay village. Data collection is done through observation and interviews. Results: The results of the study showed that health impacts of postpartum care can be directly felt in the body by becoming fresher and healthier. During the postpartum period, the body gradually improves and recovers. With no postpartum care, the results of the study indicate that the body gets easily tired and the mothers can become easily sick with frequent vaginal discharges. Furthermore, eating “Ilisha Elongata” during the postpartum period causes severe health problems. There are also taboo suggestions made by Malay people during the postpartum period. Conclusions: Postpartum care is essential and the effects on the mothers are long-lasting. The effects are directly felt with fresher and healthier body.