After massaging my back, nenek massaged both my arms especially my veins (urat tangan) where the doctor inserted needles for the IV drip, general anesthesia (bius), blood transfusion and morphine. It hurts but was bearable.

Then, I was asked to lay down. She continue massaging both my legs and thighs.

After that, she started to massage my breast to increase my milk supply. And, also massaged my protruding belly and part of my uterus (rahim).

Nenek was very gentle not to touch my incision wound.

According to her, since I gave birth through operation, she will not “sengkak” my uterus. And, she also advised to take the herbs (jamu) only after the wound heals.

Next, nenek helped me to sit up again. She massaged my neck and my forehead. And, also my head. It felt good when she pick a few hairs and snapped it up.

Finally, nenek asked for a comb and started combing my hair. She made a bun, tightly tied it with a few rubber bands and secured it with 4 big nails!

She said the nails are good to protect me from the unseen creatures. And, the tight bun was to avoid the “batu/angin meroyan” from getting to my head. Meaning, protecting me from getting the post-natal depression.

Nenek also recommended Minyak Tapil cap Wanita Sejati from Kelantan to warm my feet and stomach.

The first day massage ended after 3 hours. And, that three hours include a great massage and lots of stories (and advises) from the chatty bidan!

The next day (Sunday), my hubby picked up nenek at 7.30 am. The massage for second day lasted for 4 hours.

And, for the final day massage, my hubby picked her up at 7.45 pm. Yes, she is also available at night.

You see, after the three consecutive days massage, my body felt so light and much (much) better. No more back pain and headache. The water retention slowly gone and I got my pre-pregnancy limbs back.

Nenek does not impose a fixed fee. She accepted whatever amount you sincerely give her.

“Seikhlas hati.” She said.

I think my hubby paid her about RM40 per day of massage which amounting to RM120 for the three days service. My mom thought that was a lot (compared to a massage in Terengganu). But, hey… we were sincere mom!

And, oh! As a traditional Malay bidan, she has a closure condition (syarat penutup).

The closure items are needle and rice (jarum dan beras). If we do not give these items to her, she will get sick.

My hubby forgot about this and promised to give her the items the next day. When he brought the items to nenek, she said she was already having a fever. Hmm… got fever because hubby delayed giving the closure items?? Hard to believe right?

I had a surgical birth, but that did not stop me from getting a traditional massage for toning up my body. I believe I deserved to be treated with a good massage because my whole body was aching all over like an old woman!

You see, for a few days after the operation, it was hard for me to stand up straight as my back-bone hurts so much. Guess that was the side-effect of the general anesthesia (bius) and morphine pain-killer.

My legs and foot were still swelling due to water retention. Both my arms were puffy from needle insertions.

My stomach was also bloated with gases. I also can felt the uterus strongly contracting in the process of returning to its pre-pregnancy shape.

And, of course, the incision wound hurts like crazy!

I was in need of a good massage instantly.

My hubby need to find someone who has experience in massaging women post-operation birth. And, someone who does not imposed a certain fixed fee for her massaging service.

Luckily, I know an old mak bidan who is also the mother of my friend, kak Nina. They also live nearby to my new little cottage.

We call the bidan as nenek. Nenek has been a bidan for more than 40 years!

And, she has lots and lots of experiences attending births, massage for correcting position of breech babies (bayi songsang), post-natal massage as well as massage for various type of body ailments. Even Indians and Chineses use her services. Yes, really!

I called kak Nina to book her mother for three days starting from Saturday (5th March) to Monday (7th March).

My hubby picked up nenek at kak Nina’s house somewhere along Jalan Kapar at 8.00am on that Saturday. I was asked to sit on the carpet with both my feet straight.

Nenek started massaging my back paying close attention to the spine.

According to nenek, it’s not encourage to use warm medicated oil for a massage. Something about bad effect to the body?

Luckily, my mother brought a bottle of cold medicated oil from home. The oil is called Minyak Wan Muda Kelantan (Wan Muda Medicated Oil). The oil has a brand of cross green umbrella (cap payung bersilang).

The maker is Haji Wan Taib Bin Wan Muda from Pasir Mas, Kelantan. And, its claimed that the medicated oil has been proved effective for more than 100 years.

These are written on the label.

Untuk menyembuhkan penyakit: patah, tergeliat, lenguh, lumpuh, luka, lebam, sakit perut, kembung, kena api, air panas, disengat serangga. buat mengurut bagi perempuan lepas bersalin, ahli sukan, buruh kasar, ahli pelayaran,  pengembara, dll

How I love the Amway abdominal binder!

It was so easy to use on my own. No help was needed. Yes, really.

I just placed the binder flat on the bed, with the straps downwards. The Firming Herbal Blend was then added with four tablespoons of hot water.

Lying on my back, I aligned the top edge of the binder to just below my breast and the bottom edge to cover the hips.

Then, I applied the Firming Herbal Blend paste on my stomach and cover with a piece of cloth (I used old tudung bawal).

I wrapped the binder around and tied the binder in a criss-cross pattern.

And, since I tied it a bit tight, wearing the binder made me walk like a Japanese lady in a Kimono!

After the 40-day confinement period was over, I started to consume the Herbal Tea for 5 consecutive days and then, the After Birth Tablets 1.

Since consuming the After Birth Tablets 1, my breast milk production has increased a lot. The milk leaking was quite heavy that it wetted my t-shirt every time it happened!

So, I was very happy with Amway Tropical Herbs Post Natal Care set. I would highly recommend a mommy-to-be to use this product during her post-natal period. A complete set for a comfortable confinement period!

The first four items that I used were the Herbal Massage Oil, Calming Herbal, Warming Herbal Blend and Herbal Douche.

I really like the mild smell of the Herbal Massage Oil. The oil is made from various herbs that help to stimulate blood circulation.

After massaging my body with the oil, I mix the Warming Herbal Blend (Param) with four spoons of hot water. And, applied the mixture paste to my limbs (hands and feet).

I felt so good when the param containing “ketumbar” starts to warm up my hands and feet!

Then, I mix the Calming Herbal (pilis) with one spoon of hot water. And, applied it to my forehead.

Oh yes. The pilis containing “jintan hitam” are very refreshing!

After the pilis and param dried up in one hour or so, I washed them off.

Next, I soak one sachet of the Herbal Douche in a bowl of hot water for 10 minutes. I mix it up with more water to cool the solution. And, use the solution to wash my genital area.

I know my genital area was saved from inflammation and episiotomy (digunting) due to the surgical birth. But, it felt refreshing to use the herbal douche.

Hmmm.. the Baby Oil is also lovely. It has a really mild and sweet smell. And, I’m going to use it on my baby (to replace the Yuyee oil) when she comes back home.

In one more week, I will use these items:

• Herbal Bath
• Firming Herbal Blend
• Abdominal Binder (Bengkung)

After a month, I will consume:

• Herbal Tea
• After Birth Tablets 1 & 2

Two months before my due date (one month before surgical birth), I ordered an Amway Tropical Herbs Post Natal Care set (RM260), an infra-red binder (RM135) and a cell-lift face complex cream (RM75) from Wanita2u.com.

But my post-natal set was only delivered to me on the fifth day post-operation. That was after my constant callings and sms-ings the online shop owner for over a month!

Until today, I haven’t receive the two other items (the infra-red binder and the face cream) that cost me around RM210. I planned to use the binder since it’s a small one and suitable for surgical birth. And, the face cream for toning up my round face.

But, guess it was not my “rezeki”.

I just gave up to follow up. She knows that I never receive the stuff that I already paid. I have all the proofs (invoice, email and sms messages). And, if I wish I can lodge a police report.

But, I decided to let it go. The RM210 is not going to be “halal”.

I was so very dissapointed with her service. And, I don’t think I’m going to buy anything again from her online store.

Let’s go back to my confinement story.

The Amway Tropical Herbs Post Natal Care set consists of:

• Herbal Tea
• After Birth Tablets 1 & 2
• Herbal Douche (Pembersih Wanita)
• Herbal Bath
• Herbal Massage Oil
• Firming Herbal Blend
• Warming Herbal Blend (Param)
• Calming Herbal Blend (Pilis)
• Abdominal Binder (Bengkung)
• Baby Oil

Due to the chaos of baby been rushed to hospital/klinik kesihatan for checking bilirubin level in blood (jaundice @ sakit kuning) on the 6th - 9th day, I only started to have a look at the post-natal set on the 10th day post-operation.

And, for my baby’s sake, I’m going to wait until she is at least one month old before consuming the Herbal Tea and After Birth Tablets. I think it’s quite alright to take the herbs after the confinement period.