CULTURE
Ọmụgwọ: The Igbo postnatal practice every mother deserves
Western postpartum care is often clinical, short-term, and focused on physical recovery. In contrast, ọmụgwọ is home-based, community-driven, and more holistic, lasting weeks or even months.
Staff Writer 
Ọmụgwọ, from southeastern Nigeria's Igbo culture, means "to nurture" or "to care for." It is a traditional postpartum practice in which the maternal grandmother (or another close female relative) cares for the new mother, baby, and household—typically for up to 40 days.
While rooted in Igbo culture, the practice has spread across Nigeria and beyond.
This tradition acknowledges the emotional and physical toll of childbirth, especially for first-time mothers. Grandmothers provide hot water massages to aid healing, reduce swelling, and encourage uterine recovery. Sitz baths are used in case of perineum tears, and spicy foods help cleanse the stomach and support recovery.
Grandmothers advise on lactation-friendly diets and teach essential baby care skills. This support allows the mother to rest, recover, and gain confidence in parenting.
Each approach has risks: Western care may overlook emotional well-being, while traditional practices may sometimes lack medical scrutiny. A blended approach—merging modern medicine with cultural care—offers comprehensive support.
Urban families increasingly combine traditional practices like ọmụgwọ with modern healthcare, creating a balanced postnatal experience. Ọmụgwọ is a nurturing, time-honored tradition that complements Western medical practices. Together, they provide emotional, physical, and cultural care for new mothers, promoting a more complete recovery.
Ọmụgwọ also strengthens family ties. It fosters an emotional connection between the grandmother, the new mother, and the household.
