- A TikToker chronicled her week-long stay at a traditional Korean postpartum care center known as sanhujori.
- Foreign viewers were fascinated, but some expressed skepticism about leaving a newborn in someone else’s care.
- Sarah appreciated the time for healing but felt regret over missing early milestones.
A 30-year-old mother of two gained immense popularity by documenting the process of giving birth in Korea, sparking intrigue and mixed reactions about her time spent in a traditional postpartum care center.
Sarah, who prefers to be known by her first name, shared with Insider that postpartum care centers are widespread in Korea, where the approach to new motherhood differs significantly from that in the US.
“In America, mothers quickly resume their normal lives,” Sarah explained. “But in Korea, the focus is on healing and replenishing the body.” She added that Korean mothers are advised to rest, consume seaweed soup for at least 30 days, avoid cold showers, and refrain from lifting heavy weights. This cultural belief stems from the idea that postpartum recovery can have long-lasting health effects.
The prevalence of postpartum care centers in Korea, such as sanhujori, has influenced maternity culture in the US, inspiring luxuriously appointed retreats like Manhattan’s Boram (with a hefty price tag of $1,800 per night).
At the care facility, which Sarah likened to a hotel for babies and new moms, nurses primarily care for the newborns while mothers focus on resting. In a TikTok video that garnered 12.3 million views, Sarah raised thoughtful questions about her choice to stay at the center.
“Am I a bad mom if I allow others to care for my baby?” she wondered in the beginning of the video.
The viewers’ opinions were divided, with some international viewers being awestruck by the facility. “The USA could never,” one comment read. “I wish we had that in Europe,” chimed in another.
However, others expressed a preference for bonding with their newborns and concerns about leaving them unattended. “Not for me. I wanted my baby with me 24/7,” commented one user. Another stated, “I wouldn’t be able to do this. I didn’t even want to put my baby in a crib.”
She experienced a fast recovery and felt physically stronger but had regrets about missing milestones
Sarah decided to try a postpartum care center after having a difficult postpartum experience with her first daughter in Hawaii, which left her exhausted and depressed. “This time, I wanted to focus on healing myself,” she shared.
She spent seven days at the center, located in the same building as the hospital where she gave birth, at a cost of approximately $1,500.
During her stay, she slept, stretched, and enjoyed nutritious meals without the burden of cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry. The center also offered massages and yoga classes.
She received instruction on basic baby care, such as swaddling and changing diapers, and received assistance with breastfeeding. She even had the opportunity to connect with other new mothers, as doctors checked on the babies daily.
Reflecting on her experience, Sarah has mixed feelings despite the numerous benefits. “I definitely recovered faster, and my body felt stronger this time,” she acknowledged. However, she also felt that she missed out on bonding opportunities.
“I felt somewhat distant and couldn’t fully appreciate the first week with my baby,” she explained. “I felt like I missed many milestones,” such as giving her baby baths and changing diapers. (Sarah emphasized that mothers at the center can see their babies as much or as little as they desire.)
Due to COVID-19, neither her husband nor her older daughter could visit her, which caused her feelings of guilt. “I probably won’t do it again because if I give birth again, I will have two toddlers at home and wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving them alone for too long,” she shared. “But I would consider it for my first childbirth.”
Sarah also acknowledged that while the concept of not being with a newborn 24/7 may seem foreign to Americans, it can be a lifesaving resource when needed.
“I highly recommend it to other moms, especially first-time mothers,” she advised. “Postpartum can be incredibly challenging to navigate alone, particularly when you’re learning to care for a newborn while also trying to heal.”
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
