Experiences of postpartum Chinese women undergoing confinement practices: A qualitative meta-synthesis

We aim to review the experiences and needs of postpartum Chinese women undergoing 'confinement' or 'doing-the-month' a postpartum practice after childbirth.

A meta-synthesis was reported in alignment with the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) statement. Ten electronic databases were searched for eligible primary qualitative or mixed-methods studies in English and Chinese from their inception until December 2021. Two reviewers independently reviewed the methodological quality of the included studies using the 10-item Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) qualitative checklist, with discrepancies resolved through discussions. The meta-synthesis was conducted based on the two-step approach by Sandelowski and Barroso.

Four themes were meta-synthesized from 13 studies: 'confinement' as an essential practice; physical and psychological stressors during 'confinement'; coping strategies by postpartum women; and needs for family, social, and professional support in enhancing satisfaction with 'confinement'. The review showed that 'confinement' remains a significant practice shaped by socio-cultural and health constructs.

This review suggested re-evaluating the 'confinement' practice and promoting evidence-based care to improve maternal well-being. Nurses and midwives should be cognisant of such postpartum customs and adopt non-judgemental attitudes as early as the prenatal period to provide culturally sensitive care.