Practice and perceptions of postpartum care in Brunei Darussalam indigenous communities: a cross-sectional study

Southeast Asia has a rich heritage of postpartum customs, many of which are gradually being forgotten and replaced by modern allopathic practices. This is particularly true in Brunei Darussalam where documentation of postpartum customs is lacking. This study explores the postpartum traditions and practices of three indigenous groups in Brunei-Kedayans, Brunei Malays, and Lun Bawangs. A qualitative study was conducted in the form of interviews at market areas and homes of the respondents, primarily targeting the Kedayan, Brunei Malay and Lun Bawang indigenous groups. Data were collected from 57 respondents, including traditional medical practitioners, elderly villagers knowledgeable in traditional medicine, postnatal caregivers, and parents of young children. The respondents were interviewed with predesigned questions about their knowledge of, and experience with, traditional postpartum practices and herbal plant preparations. Our study revealed similarities between the plants and practices adopted by the indigenous groups, especially between the Malays and Kedayans. The postpartum practices of the three groups can be generally categorized into the following: confinement period, 'mother roasting,' baths, massages, stomach binding (berbarut), topical applications, dietary prescriptions and restrictions (pantang), herbal drinks, breast care, healing of the delivery wounds, and removal of stitches. Behavioural taboos during the postnatal period and trends among younger generations were also discussed. The traditional postpartum practices of the Bruneian indigenous groups are unique and represent a significant part of Bruneian custom and culture. It is imperative to document and promote beneficial customary postpartum practices to preserve the indigenous traditions of Brunei.