A time for new mothers to relax and be taken care of!
In Igboland, the postpartum care and pampering given to new mothers is called Omugwo. During Omugwo, new mothers have ample time to rest, recover from any complications of childbirth, and ease into motherhood.
It has been said that Omugwo helps to keep baby blue and even postpartum depression at bay. That is because Omugwo was especially designed to ease first-time mothers into motherhood
Who goes for Omugwo in Igboland?
The first natural choice is the mother of the wife. Then, her mother-in-law or any other close female relatives from either the husband or wife’s family.
How long does Omugwo last?
Omugwo can last as long as five months depending on the availability of the woman who comes to care for the new mother. However, it typically lasts for three months.
What happens during Omugwo?
Here are four things new mothers can expect:
1. Enjoyment And Pampering
New mothers are treated like the precious gems they are during Omugwo–but with extra toppings. Their only job during this time is to sleep, wake, eat, breastfeed the baby, rinse and repeat.
2. Regular Hot And Spicy meals
New mothers are served specific meals during Omugwo to help flush out unwanted blood clots left during childbirth in the body. These special meals include hot pepper soup and pap to mention a few.
3. Hot Water Therapy
Hot water is a woman’s best friend during this period. The woman who comes for Omugwo compresses the new mother’s belly with a hot towel or cloth dipped in hot water. It is believed that doing this will reduce the post-baby belly. Well that is what we have waist trainers and gym training for now, if you ask us.
4. Lessons On Being A Mum
The woman who comes to do Omugwo for the new mother takes care of the baby for her. In doing so, the new mother can watch and learn how to bathe the baby, massage the body and so on. That is why Omugwo is so beautiful–it takes away any anxiety that first-time mothers might have.
What happens after Omugwo ends?
After Omugwo, the mother of the wife, mother-in-law or close female relative is thanked with gifts. Anything from foodstuff, a baby goat to a thick envelope are good thank you gifts. Make as much noise as you can with that money. The women in the village will thank you for it.
#TraditionalValues is a segment documenting the beauty of indigenous culture. This edition showcases the Igbo version of postpartum care for new mothers.
