A study published in the August 2009 issue of the Journal of Affective Disorders has examined 16 different studies and concludes that there is little consistent evidence that theChinese postpartum custom of confinement or "doing the month" reduces postpartum depression among Chinese mothers.
The practice of confinement involves comprehensive social support and has been though to protect new moms from PPD. The new mother is confined to her home for the first month after chidlbirth and someone cares for both her and the baby's needsduring that period, sometimesthe mother-in-lawand sometimes a paid pui-yuet or "confinement lady".
The study authors, from theUniversity of Melbourne inAustralia,state that "confinement cannot be presumed to be available to, welcomed by or effective for all Chinese women or to be a substitute for health service provision."
I came across similar research, with Japanese mothers, while doing my MSW paper. I find it validating, actually–I had plenty of support around me yet still got the experience. I'm sure I'm not the only one.