Lying-in

This article is about childbirth. For other uses, see 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 of bed rest required even if there was no medical complications.

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A 1932 publication refers to lying-in as ranging from 2 weeks to 2 months^[1]. It also does not suggest "Getting Up" (getting out of bed post-birth) for at least nine days and ideally for 20 days.^[1] This prolonged time of staying in bed after birth may also be called "lying-in".^[2][3]

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".^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Lying in by Jan Nusche quoting The Bride's Book — A Perpetual Guide for the Montreal Bride, published in 1932
2. ^ Birth Write: Creating our Own Birth Rites
3. ^ 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
4. ^ our history - Royal Women’s Hospital