Content warning: This article mentions graphic content and discussion of postpartum depression.
With increased individualism in our society, there’s been a recent callback to communal living, especially in the case of motherhood and raising children. The term “it takes a village” is becoming truer than ever, although urbanisation imposes its own models, and values our attachments to cultural traditions can keep us centred.
In Africa, family and motherhood were seen as a community affair but the rise of nuclear families has led to the evolution of how the community comes through.
In Nigeria, we have a particular way of accommodating a new baby into the family. Referred to as different things by different tribes (“ojojo omo for Yoruba” and “umaan for Akwa Ibom), Omugwo is the Igbo term for the traditional custom of postpartum care, where the mother of the new mother or a relative takes residence with her to care for her and child.
The tradition sets out to smooth the transition for new mothers and show the mother that she is not alone, she has a community of women who support and love her and her baby.
Omugwo can last from one to six months depending on the person administering this care. A few decades ago when most mothers were housewives, they were able to stay longer but now that mothers are also career women, they stay for about one to two months.
The grandmother or relative stand-in is saddled with very important duty; the wholesome care of the new mother, baby and the household. This care allows the mother to regain her strength and vigour after a long nine months of growing a baby. The care for the new mother encompasses rehabilitating her body physically and holistically.
Omugwo Care
After birth, there needs to be postpartum belly care. So the grandmother relieves the mother by administering hot water treatments and massages routinely. The mother baths the woman 2-3 times a day with hot water massages particularly focusing on the abdominal and genital area.
“I've noticed that the new generation doesn’t want the massage because they feel it is too hot”, says Obianuju Arinze, a mother of four children and a grandmother to five. “But in my experience, sponging the mother with hot water removes aches from the body, calms nerves and enables the mother to sleep well.”
New mothers are also advised to be intentional about their nutrition. A meal popularly prepared during this period is Peppersoup with a lot of traditional herbs and spices. Obianuju suggests using a spice called Uyaya from Akwa-Ibom to cook this dish.
“The last time I went for Omugwo; I noticed my daughter’s stomach was still big for a pregnant woman and her legs were swollen”, she says. “So I cooked Peppersoup with a spice, Uyaya, from Akwa Ibom and my daughter said, 'Mother it’s like I'm contracting and going to have another baby'. Her stomach was moving up and down and by evening, she went to the bathroom to excrete a lump of blood with the retained placenta. And the swollen legs went down immediately.”
Mrs Obianuju also suggests the consumption of Jollof rice, Bitterleaf soup, Coconut and ‘Pap’ aka cornmeal porridge to aid in breast milk production, fruits and vegetables to help in healing and avoiding sodas, as sugar helps to induce bleeding.
In all of this, the baby is also regularly bathed, mildly massaged and breastfed. The new mother is not expected to do anything except sleep, eat, breastfeed, bath, or receive visitors.
The Role of Community In Postpartum Depression
Besides fulfilling physical needs, Omugwo helps the new mother with emotional support. Obianuju Arinze states that Omugwo is necessary because it calms the new mother psychologically by bringing succour and comfort to her.
“I spoke positive words over her particularly to keep her mind from worrying about the child”, she says. “The essence of Omugwo is to help the new mother gain balance. She knows her life has changed; now, she has someone to take care of, and she must learn to rest to do so effectively.”
Familial presence helps to put the mother's mind at ease. During Omugwo, there’s plenty of conversation and any concerns the new mother may have—whether about marriage or other aspects of life—become opportunities for her mother to counsel. The time spent together is filled with laughter, which helps with healing. This tradition plays a significant role in the psychological and mental healing of the young mother.
This period also helps the mother and daughter redeem their relationship. “I see new parents develop a deeper respect and appreciation for their own mothers when they have this time together,” says Dr Jill Zechowy, a perinatal mental health physician. “Family support passes down knowledge and traditions from one generation to the next. You hear stories about how you were as a baby. You learn what this time was like for your mom when you were born. Your relationship with your mother evolves through the practice of Omugwo.”
Social support especially helps with isolation and loneliness during this period as research has shown that some of the psycho-social risk factors that give rise to postpartum depression is the lack of social support.
“Having people around me that were willing to help and make sure that I was okay was very helpful”, Celine Amarachie Arinze, a mother of two, says. “After they left I then realised I gave birth and was now continuing the rigorous journey of taking care of the newborn.”
Experts say first-time mothers are often at a higher risk of postpartum depression so the need for Omugwo cannot be overemphasised. Postpartum depression is a mental health disorder that sets in immediately or about two to six weeks after delivery. It features symptoms such as tearfulness, a feeling of hopelessness, emotional lability, feelings of guilt, sleep problems and loss of appetite. As joyful and as exciting as the birth of a baby can be to a mother, it can be emotionally draining, tasking, and stressful leading to a depressed mood which affects a woman’s quality of life.
A communal living lifestyle can serve as a deterrent to postpartum depression as it enables companionship. Research shows psychosocial factors are significantly associated with having postpartum depression; having an unsupportive partner, and not getting help in taking care of their baby.
Celine recalls her experience with postpartum depression. She originally opened up to her mother and husband but they had negative reactions. “I didn't bother discussing it with any other person close to me,” she says. “I had to go out to seek for help. I remember having to speak with clinical psychologists. I had different sessions with them, and some of the guidelines they gave to me actually helped me to live. It was very effective as not doing that would have cost so much. And that was one of the reasons why I created a company called Mama's Mind, where me and my partners create awareness and manage postpartum depression.”
Celine reiterates that Omugwo especially helped her during this as she had more time to relax and recuperate. “So I just focused on breastfeeding the baby, bathing myself and relaxing and sleeping for that first two months," she says. “It was quite helpful”.
The Evolution of Omugwo
The Omugwo tradition evolves with the development of newer generations like Gen Z. Mrs Obianuju Arinze concurs, “ The tradition keeps getting redefined as new mothers have new perspectives on what to do.”
Celinem who experienced Omugwo, says she hopes to do it for her grandchildren but with some help. “I have already planned it in my head. I'm going to get a paid nanny”, she says, “The nanny is going to go with me, take care of everything, because I know that taking care of a child is not a joke. She'll be doing everything while I just sit down and supervise."
But with what the hard work required, both Obianuju and Celine cherish this experience with joy. “The joy, you have a seed after your own seed," Obianuju says. “Even though it is hard work.”
Celine concurs, “It's been a joyful experience, having my child grow up and seeing them healthy. Most times it makes me forget the sad or bad side of motherhood.”
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) — 1300 726 306
ForWhen — 1300 24 23 22 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm)
Gidget Foundation — online and telehealth support — 1300 851 758
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
She Writes Woman – 0800 800 2000 (24/7 toll-free helpline) in Nigeria