Mums Deserve Better Access To Postpartum Treatments

Motherhood brings unique joys and pains to every mum, and we are better off acknowledging that. In this series called Mum Truths, mums reveal their secret successes, miseries and gripes about parenting in a no-holds-barred first-person recount.

I personally find it triggering and oftentimes discouraging, when influencers advocate postpartum treatments such as Jamu massages, lactation massages, as well as those targeting diastasis recti and urinary incontinence. More often than not, what they’re pushing is pricey and sponsored. It’s their job to rave on about how great a treatment is, but how realistic and effective is it for an average working mother to achieve?

Postpartum massages should be treated like physiotherapy

After the birth of my first child, my mother was nice enough to pay for a Malay aunty to go to my place and give me a postnatal body massage and wrap. Each session was about 90 minutes and cost $120. And I had that five times. I would not have spent $600 on myself.

Our generation is a lot more savvy when it comes to purchasing goods. Carousel and pre-loved items are mostly welcomed, so with the money we save on that, I urge mothers to then spend it on themselves!

While expecting my second child, I decided to plan early and put aside a little every month for my postpartum self-care fund. The amount varied from $50 to $200. By the end of the pregnancy, I had about $2,000 saved. (To be completely honest, I may have siphoned a couple dollars from the ang baos meant for the new baby.)

After experiencing the benefits of postpartum massages, I knew I wanted them again after my second childbirth. So I engaged a masseuse who charged $70 an hour for massage and binding – which sounded very reasonable. However, after two sessions, I felt she wasn’t the right fit for me. A mum friend suggested Madam Partum to me. At $200 per home visit, that meant a large chunk of my self-care fund would be gone. The treatments were well worth it though. A proper massage table, towels and oils were provided, and the crew arrived at my home 10 minutes before the massage to set things up.

Each massage lasted a full 90 minutes, and much of that time was spent declogging my lumpy breasts. The relief my breasts felt after each session made it worth every cent! I really don’t enjoy massages, so to me this was more like physiotherapy. Speaking of which, postpartum massages should be viewed the same way as physiotherapy!

Why should the damage of childbirth be accepted as a norm?

For far too long, mums have been conditioned to accept a ruined postpartum body as the norm. Diastasis recti (abdominal separation) and urinary incontinence are some of the common body and health issues women face after giving birth. And it completely baffles me that many of the treatments for those conditions, such as diastasis recti surgery, are considered “cosmetic procedures” by insurance companies and thus, not covered.

After having my first child, I had an abdominal separation of 3cm, but it didn’t cross my mind to do anything about it. “It’s normal to have stretch marks, diastasis recti, and even pee a little when you cough,” was what I read online.

Having my second child exacerbated the situation, obviously. I was left with a slight hernia, and an ab separation of almost 6cm! That further weakened my core and led to lower back problems. This time, I decided to seek help at Orchard Clinic, which seemed popular on social media.

Better late than never

I spoke to Cheryl Han, co-founder of Orchard Clinic who left her corporate job to focus on a more meaningful wellness business. I wanted to know what was the most popular treatment at the centre. As I suspected, it was for diastasis recti.

While there isn’t a quick fix and regular exercise has to work hand in hand with treatments, consulting Orchard Clinic is a good start. At $300 a session, I must admit this isn’t cheap, and would take lots of time management. One problem mothers with salaried jobs face is actually finding enough time for such treatments! Let’s face it, once we’re done with maternity leave, carving out two hours consistently for much-needed physiotherapy isn’t always realistic.

It’s heartening to know that Cheryl echoes that sentiment. She shares that a large portion of her clientele are mothers of teenagers. This allows more time for saving up! “Take care of yourself, so you can take better care of your family” is her mantra. 

Mummy development fund?

At the risk of asking for too much, I passionately feel that many of these postpartum treatments should be claimable by insurance, or even something that young families can get grants for!

I’m not talking about luxurious spa treatments that one can fall asleep at, but the more intense and sometimes painful or sweat-inducing sessions that are meant to heal and strengthen the body.

Certainly more finances could and should be allocated for the vessels that harbour and produce life, both by the individual and the government.

Jill Lim is the perpetually exhausted mother of two girls and an adopted dog. Dark humour and cynicism are her love language. Like and subscribe at @killjilllll.