The Golden Month

Golden Month Project

‘Golden Month’ is the Chinese name for the special weeks following childbirth. For the Chinese mother it is time of joy where she rests and is nurtured by older women. In Asia it is believed that this life change is like a watershed which cleanses a woman’s energy and offers an opportunity for the complete renewal of her health. In Vietnam it is said, “A woman is at her most beautiful after the birth of her first child”. It is believed that many chronic diseases can be cured if the mother is looked after properly in her ‘golden month’. For her family it is a time to celebrate and get to know the new baby.

In Africa the first six weeks after birth are called ‘the 40 days’ and the beliefs and practices around it are similar to in Asia. Again there is full rest, and nurturing of the mother.

Why post natal care of mothers is important

Women are much more in need of rest after giving birth than at any other time in their reproductive lives. Their vulnerability puts them at greater risk of physical and emotional burn-out if they don’t get the support they need to do this. Traditions that have previously supported mothers are increasingly undervalued and undermined by the pressures of modern society. The result is high rates of fatigue and post natal depression. The post natal experience affects recovery in the long term also. Chronic health problems often surface in the months and even years after childbirth when the mother has not been able to recover properly in the crucial first weeks.

A relaxed time of recovery in which the new mother is honoured lays the foundation for good health and good bonding with the baby. By being well cared for the new mother gets the experience of being ‘mothered’ herself and she can then better care for her baby.

Women who come from cultures that value the ‘golden month’ talk enthusiastically about how they were looked after:

“During my ’40 days’ I was treated like queen. After it was finished I felt rested and my skin was soft and beautiful from all the massage.” -Somalia

“After giving birth I was treated like a queen. Even my hair was brushed for me.” - Samoa

“The mother is sacred beyond all treasures ….she is the canoe that conveys one generation to the next” – Dr Rose Rangimarie Pere. – Maori
Our mothers need to be held in high esteem after they have given birth.
We believe that good post natal care is the foundation of preventive healthcare for the mother, and that her whole family and community benefit from this.

Children's commisioner

Children’s Commissioner John Angus would like to offer his support for ‘The Golden Month’ documentary.

“In my role working for the best interests New Zealand children I’m a strong believer in any resource that helps parents do a better job.

“The first few days and months of a child’s life are so precious and make such a difference to what kind of person they grow to become. That’s why it’s vital that parents are given the best advice, support and care in the early stages of their child’s life.

“I know how daunting it is when you become a parent. You need really good people to guide you through the highs and lows. It’s a sad fact that many New Zealand mothers don’t have those support networks or fully appreciate how difficult it is to be a mum.

“The ‘Golden Month’ sounds like a very interesting project and I’ll be keen to see the finished product. It has potential to be a great resource for new parents across New Zealand.”

- John Angus Children’s Commissioner

Evie

Eve Leniston shares her journey from

late pregnancy through to the weeks following

the birth of her baby Sarai. Eve gives a candid

account of her experience as a new mother.

Our Production Team

Jenny Allison Writer and Lead Researcher

Jenny Allison is the writer and lead resercher of The Golden Month. She has 20 years experience working in women's health, both in practice and teaching. She has developed teaching units for the Biomedical and Health Science faculty at the University of Western Sydney. Jenny is an editorial assistant to the Journal of Chinese Medicine (UK), the largest English-based Chinese medicine journal in the world, and is a traditionally trained qualified acupuncturist.

The project arose out of her daily experiences with the women that she saw in her clinic, and through talking to mothers from within and outside of New Zealand.

Lotte Wotherspoon Producer and Art Director

Lotte Wotherspoon is an art director of film, theatre and television. Wotherspoon has designed sets that have appeared on C4, Maori Televison and Juice TV. Internationally she was involved in the design of the 2004 central exhibition space at the Prague Quadrennial, an international exhibition of sceneography and theatre architecture.

Wotherspoon has taught undergraduate design courses at Massey, Victoria University and Unitec. Since 2003 she has managed her own design business.

www.lottewotherspoon.com

Sonja de Friez Director

Sonja de Friez is an award winning documentary maker. Primarily focused on social and health issues, de Friez has made and been involved with more than a dozen films, all screening on nation wide television, most also screening in film festivals.

Sonja de Friez has 15 years experience as a current affairs reporter where she reported health issues for TV3. De Friez has also taught postgraduate journalism at Canterbury University.

http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/madame-morison-2005

http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/made-in-new-zealand---margaret-mahy-2004

http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/a-clinical-approach-2005

http://raconteur.co.nz/documentary.html

Mike Nelson DOP

Mike Nelson (AKA Havoc) is a DOP with over 11 years of broadcast experience.He has worked extensively in New Zealand and overseas on international productions.

www.havoccam.com

Wai Mason Kaumatua

Wai Mason comes from Tauranga Moana where she was brought up with the best of traditional Maori and Pakeha worlds. Wai Mason originally trained and worked in early childhood education. She then worked with prisoners at Paremoremo and moved to learning support in tertiary education. She has a wide community network and is a pivotal figure in community support and education.

Luise Brandt Health Advisor

Luise Brandt has 19 years experience as a certified midwife. Brandt worked for 11 years in Auckland hospitals and has practiced as an independent case loading midwife since 2002.
Through her profession, Brandt has gathered rich insight and direct experience into how different cultures and communities support women after childbirth.

Mali Perspective

Three women in Mali share their experiences as

mothers and talk about traditional practices in

their community.

These images were shot in Mali while on location.

Good post natal care for mothers – four basic practices.

The following four essential practices are a part of most traditions –in varying form. Here are the essentials.

Total rest. This means not just absence from the workplace, but rest from everything, including all household duties and sexual activity. You just need to feed the baby, and receive food and care. “Once I left the hospital my sister-in-law fed me correctly and allowed me to have 40 days of rest…….All I had to do was give breast milk to the baby, eat and sleep.” -Mali. Exercise should be minimal as the body is tired after giving birth and the ligaments are still very soft from pregnancy hormones and so easily injured. Sexual activity is avoided: the uterus takes some time to get back to normal and this process shouldn’t be interrupted. Making love can also disrupt the post natal hormonal balance which is geared to producing milk, and it can arouse strong emotions which should be avoided at this time. Your surroundings should be quiet and restful with plenty of opportunity for sleep while your baby is sleeping.
Massage. In almost all traditions we are familiar with the mother is massaged after birth, often daily.

Her body is nourished by the various oils and herbs used, the body is rebalanced and invigorated, and she relaxes and responds to the nurturing quality of human touch. Massage is like passive exercise as good circulation and well-being are achieved without the mother using up any of her own energy. Most traditions, even in hot countries, also warm the body in different ways, especially the lower abdomen. In China, the process of gently warming the lower abdomen using moxibustion is called ‘mother roasting’ and helps to replenish ‘source’ energy. Other cultures protect the uterus and lower back by wrapping extra clothes around the lower abdomen, or massage the body regularly with hot towels. There is a reason for warming the body and keeping warm: the mother’s body temperature tends to be lower after giving birth and so it should be protected from cold. Of course if you have a fever or infection the warming practices are not appropriate.

Diet. There are many variations in diet, but they all agree on one thing. Have food and liquid which is warm and easily digestible. Soup is commonly given. Warmth prevents stagnation in the digestive system and promotes good digestion. It also means the body doesn’t use up too much energy trying to warm up cold food to a point where it can be digested, nor does it get chilled by taking in something physical cold. Sufficient protein is necessary to replace lost blood and nutrients from the birth and to support breastfeeding; it is also grounding emotionally. Carbohydrates, especially in the form of hot porridges, give energy and also support breastfeeding.
Mother the mother. This is one of the most important aspects of post natal care.

‘Giving birth is a wonderful gift but it hurts both the body and the heart. The job of the nannies (grandmothers/elders) is to help bring the mother back into ‘consciousness’ so that she can be a source of nourishment to her child’ …Wai Mason (kuia). Traditional Maori view.

When older women care for the new mother at this moment of life, after the birth, a deeper process of mothering is being taught. By having your role of mother modeled for you by your carer, you can come more fully into your own role as mother. Each time you give birth you are initiated and re-initiated into motherhood simply by being cared for yourself, and the practical help that goes with this ensures that you are rested and physically healthy.