Traditional Malay Medicine Postpartum Practices Research

Using published research papers on traditional postpartum practices in Malaysia,the study outlines the traditional practice of traditional postnatal care in Traditional Malay Medicine system.Objective:Through this study,the paper seeks to provide a historical and social overview of the historical development and social impact Traditional Malay Medicine has on postpartum practices.The paper identifies commonalities and the unique therapies of Traditional Malay Medicine in their traditional postpartum beliefs and practices,and argues that Malay traditional postpartum regimens in terms of beliefs and adherence.Method:This thesis collated research literatures through a literature search for published research papers on traditional postpartum practices in Malaysia,via PubMed,Elsevier,Web of Science’s SCIE database,and magazine databases.28 articles and 2 books were identified and used.These works line out the viewpoints and results in the literature study,and classified them into several features,such as traditional Malay postpartum practices,the society’s role,recognition and acceptance of Malay traditional medicine,and regulatory requirements.A classification and summary of Malay traditional postpartum practices,postnatal care and their development were then provided.Summaries:1.The historical development and social impact of Malay traditional medicine:Malay postpartum and past-natal care is one of the characteristics of Malay traditional medicine,reflecting the cultural and beliefs of one of Malaysia’s ethnic groups.Not only has the Ministry of Health paid attention to and developed,but it has also strived to integrate it into the current medical system.At the same time,for postnatal care safety practices,measures have also been taken to promote and provide relevant information and guidelines.These measures also seeks to strengthen safety,quality,and effectiveness through supervision to ensure public safety.The paper also touches on the implications and inheritance of the integration of Malay traditional medicine and complementary medicine in traditional postpartum care.2.Culture beliefs:The postpartum period is essentially an all-inclusive process with special emphasis on after-birth care.In Malay culture,the postnatal period is closely related to cultural beliefs and traditional customs.Malays actually have a so-called confinement period which is 40-44 days long.These practices and its approaches are slightly different in different communities,but they are based on practical experiences and observations,including food taboos,postnatal care practices,and so on.These have a profound cultural heritage behind it.3.Details:Postpartum care is usually performed within 6 weeks of delivery.Mothers have observed a special procedure of confinement practices.The most common basic practices can be summarized in 6 parts:① Postpartum massage-Traditional Malay massage(Traditional Malay Massage-TMM)is also known as Urut Melayu;②Traditional abdominal wrapped-Bengkung/Barut,a girdle made from about 15 meters long cloth;③Traditional herbs intake,including Jamu and Air akar kayu ④ The diet during the postpartum period,Pantang makan dan minum means“food taboos",there are many taboos in food intake,that is,dos and don’ts;⑤Tangas-is a steam treatment practice in the perineum area,the process involved the use of a steam therapy with heat and herbal mixtures;⑥ Salai/Bersalai-Traditional saunas,the most uncommon one of the six practices,because of their risk and setting.4.Postnatal illness care,combine warm compress,traditional massage and herbal medicine and other traditional medical methods for postnatal depression,postpartum hypogalactia,breast engorgement and after-birth pain.Conclusion:In spite of modernizing trends,Malay traditional postpartum practices are commonly adopted and observed by most Malaysian women.Though there are also substantial differences in those practices depending on the mother’s background which associated with special rituals and customs in their cultures.However,there are similarities in their postpartum regimens and practices in terms of beliefs and adherence to food taboos,use of traditional postpartum massage and traditional herbs,and acknowledgment of the role of older female family members in postpartum care.