Discover the Healing Power of Sanhujoriwon: Korea’s Revolutionary Approach to Postpartum Care (and Sanu’s Approach to Our Postnatal Retreat)
In the bustling world of postpartum care, a traditional Korean practice known as ‘Sanhujoriwon’ (산후조리원) is garnering international acclaim for its exceptional approach to nurturing new mothers. This holistic retreat, deeply rooted in Korean culture, offers a blend of rest, nutrition, and emotional support, setting a new standard in postnatal wellness, and it’s the inspiration behind Sanu.
Understanding Sanhujoriwon – A Paradigm Shift in Postnatal Care:
Sanhujoriwon (산후조리원), a term synonymous with comprehensive postpartum care, combines ‘Sanhu’ (postpartum) and ‘Jori’ (care). This practice underscores the critical importance of post-birth recovery, a concept gaining momentum in global postpartum wellness discussions. In some Asian cultures, this practice is known as ‘confinement.’
Revolutionizing Rest and Recovery:
At the heart of Sanhujoriwon is the principle of rest. New mothers are encouraged to embrace a period of relaxation, typically lasting up to a month, known as the ‘sitting month.’ This practice challenges the conventional rush to ‘bounce back’ post-delivery, advocating for a phase of dedicated recovery.
One key difference between Korean postpartum care centers and Sanu is that we emphasize bonding and learning, which requires parents to spend time with their little ones, even during recovery. In Korea, babies are often separated from their mothers with the intention of allowing the mother to heal without the burden of childcare. At Sanu, however, our care associates are on hand 24/7 to watch little ones in the safe, secure, and camera-enabled 24/7 nursery for a period of time during the day, overnight, or help with baby or self care in guest rooms, but we encourage significant and impactful stretches of time together between parenting teams and their babies in order to bond and learn!
Culinary Healing – Nutritional Nourishment for New Mothers:
A key feature of Sanhujoriwon is its focus on nutrition. The retreats provide meals rich in essential nutrients, spotlighting traditional Korean dishes like ‘miyeok-guk,’ a seaweed soup celebrated for its postnatal health benefits. This culinary focus places Sanhujoriwon at the forefront of nutritional therapy in postpartum care.
At Sanu Postnatal Retreat, all of our meal partners have been selected by health experts and we continue to source exceptional meals, snacks, broths, practices, and partners to ensure that nutritional wellness is included in our program.
Physical Wellness and Emotional Support – A Holistic Approach:
Physical recovery is meticulously addressed in Sanhujoriwon, through practices like belly binding and warm baths. More importantly, these retreats provide emotional support, a vital element often overlooked in traditional postpartum care. This comprehensive approach marks a significant shift towards holistic postnatal wellness.
Modern Sanhujori Centers – Bridging Tradition and Contemporary Care:
Today, Sanhujori centers blend age-old practices with modern healthcare, offering professional care, nutritional guidance, and education on infant and self-care. These centers represent a fusion of tradition and innovation, meeting the evolving demands of new motherhood.
At Sanu, we’ve embraced evidence-based care, which means all of our practices are backed by rigorous scientific evidence. But–this doesn’t mean that we don’t welcome the traditions and practices that guests want to bring into Sanu. For example, in Asian cultures, recovery after childbirth requires keeping the mother’s body warm. As long as the baby is kept with safe temperatures or in the nursery, we welcome all the things that keep mother comfortable!
We are also partner inclusive. At Sanu, partners are part of ‘parenting teams,’ and we include them in all of the hands-on learning as well as therapeutic services. The evidence shows that included partners become better caregivers, and we believe whenever possible, partners make the best caregivers to mothers.
Why Sanhujoriwon Matters in Today’s Postpartum Care Landscape:
Sanhujoriwon stands as a beacon of innovation in postnatal care, aligning with the growing global emphasis on comprehensive postpartum support. Its unique blend of rest, nutrition, and emotional wellness positions it as a leading model in postnatal recovery.
Conclusion:
Sanhujoriwon, with its holistic approach, is revolutionizing postpartum care, offering new mothers a nurturing haven for recovery and bonding. As the world awakens to the importance of comprehensive postnatal care, Sanhujoriwon stands as a testament to the profound benefits of cultural wisdom combined with modern healthcare practices.
Are you a new mother or expecting one? How do you envision your postpartum care journey? Share this post with a parent-to-be. Let’s get the conversation going and normalize a period of concentrated postpartum care in the U.S.
Julia Kim
Founder and CEO, Sanu
