- Lying-in
Lying-in is an old
childbirth practice involving a woman resting in bed for a period of time before giving birth. Though the term is now usually defined as "the condition of a woman in the process of giving birth," it previously referred to a period ofbed rest required even if there was no medical complications.A 1932 publication refers to lying-in as ranging from 2 weeks to 2 months [http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/167/6/675 Lying in by Jan Nusche] quoting "The Bride's Book — A Perpetual Guide for the Montreal Bride", published in 1932] . It also does not suggest "Getting Up" (getting out of bed post-birth) for at least nine days and ideally for 20 days. This prolonged time of staying in bed after birth may also be called "lying-in". [ [http://birthwrite.sweethomebirth.com/2007/03/creating-our-own-birth-rites.html Birth Write: Creating our Own Birth Rites] ] [Jenstad, Janelle Day, "Lying-in Like a Countess: The Lisle Letters, the Cecil Family, and A Chaste Maid in Cheapside", Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies - Volume 34, Number 2, Spring 2004, pp. 373-403]
When lying-in was a more common term, it was used in the names of several hospitals. For example, the Royal Women’s Hospital in Australia was originally known as the "Melbourne Lying-In Hospital and Infirmary for Diseases of Women and Children". [ [http://www.thewomens.org.au/OurHistory our history] - Royal Women’s Hospital]
References
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