Giving birth can be a life-changing experience.
It means that the parents are solely responsible for taking care of another person and meeting all of their needs.This can be very draining, especially for new parents, who typically need assistance to adapt.
After-birth care practices in Nigeria assist parents in making this process simpler.These have distinctive names and differ from tribe to tribe.There is ojojo omo for Yorubas, umaan for Akwa-Ibomans, and omugwo for Igbos.
Omugwo is a method in which a couple’s mother assists them by providing postpartum care.An aunt can fill this role if neither of the couple’s mothers is still alive.In this case, the grandmother uses her knowledge to ease the new mother into her new role.
She prepares meals for the new mom and gives her advice on what to eat to increase her breast milk supply during this time.In addition, the grandmother takes care of the infant and teaches the mother how to do the same.
During Omugwo, the grandmother also helps the new mother recover quickly from childbirth by providing her with hot water therapy.This hot water therapy is said to help the new mother get rid of blood clots that stay in her body after she gives birth.
In addition, the grandmother makes regular pepper soup for the new mother and gives the baby a Swedish massage.
The entire Omugwo lasts three to five months before the grandmother returns home.The new parents typically send her presents home as a token of their appreciation.These incorporate money related gifts, new coverings and here and there, food things.
Despite the fact that the practice of omugwo is extremely beneficial and is also regarded as a source of pride by the couple’s mothers, disagreements over what to give the bride when she returns can arise.
