As a mum with three C-sections, I prioritised my postpartum recovery so I could effectively care for my newborn and energetic preschooler as soon as possible. To me, this was essential as I’m just shy of the big 4-0 so I wanted to ensure my recovery was smooth-sailing. An important component of this was the nutrition, which should be nourishing, promote recovery and also breastfeeding-friendly. Hence, I chose Tian Wei Signature for my confinement meals, and Postnatal Massage Singapore for postnatal massages.
Tian Wei Signature Confinement Catering
Loved by 50,000 customers so far, the parent-approved, award-winning Tian Wei Signature Confinement Catering delivers nutritious postpartum meals for mums to aid their recovery and assist them in their breastfeeding journey.
With reliable delivery, and a wide variety of nutritionist and chef-crafted meals, mums can focus on their recovery, rest and caring for their newborns.
Packaging and Delivery
Tian Wei Signature’s meals usually consisted of a healthy carbohydrate option, protein and veggies, all packed in biodegradable containers for easy clean up. Additionally, the soups, desserts and red date tea were packed in thermal flasks that I just had to rinse out. All I had to do was to remember to return the flasks and thermal bag for the delivery person to collect the next day.
The meals usually arrived promptly at around 11am to 12pm. If no one answered the door, I would receive a message with proof of delivery. There was one notable exception – I did not receive my dinner when I was discharged from the hospital. After clarifying with the Tian Wei Signature team, they offered to send a bento in the next hour, with their profuse apologies, and started the meals the next day.
The Confinement Food Menu
Tian Wei Signature’s confinement food menu has been crafted together with their in-house chef and dietitian. Hence, the menu can support your postpartum nutritional needs, while supporting your breast milk supply. In addition, a leading TCM clinic, Ma Kuang TCM reviewed the soups, ensuring that they promote recovery and help revitalise the postpartum body.
Variety
Throughout the 28 days, meals were varied, with little to no repetition. In fact, they have 84 unique meat dishes, and 54 unique vegetable dishes. Out of all the dishes, my favourites were the signature coq au vin, the pork trotter with vinegar and the stir fried cauliflower with anchovies. On hindsight, I should have added on more servings of the green papaya fish soup ($21 to $40 for three to six servings) and the trotters ($30 to $55 for two and four servings).
Meal Customisation
Even better, the meals can be customised to your preferences. Personally, I requested that meals should be cooked without alcohol. Other options include no chicken, or egg for the first two weeks, or no seafood. You can also substitute pork or chicken with fish, or choosing red rice over white rice. Most of the staples consisted of healthier, nutrient-dense options, incorporating brown, red or tri-colour rice.
Reduce decision fatigue and the mental load of what to eat by adding a bento ($10 per meal) for your spouse or older child.
Postnatal Massage Singapore
Aside from having some precious me-time, I opted for postnatal massages to help with my recovery and also to aid my milk flow. Having experienced engorgement in the early days of breastfeeding, and blocked milk ducts, I also wanted to ensure that there were no further blockages. Mainly, I wanted to help speed up the womb recovery and post C-section swelling. “Bouncing back” to my pre-pregnancy shape and having a flatter midsection would be a welcome bonus. I chose Postnatal Massage Singapore as it had five-star reviews – in fact, all of the reviewers recommended the postpartum service on Facebook. Additionally, all their certified therapists are guaranteed to arrive for their sessions, and it’s possible to replace the therapist if necessary. Their massages have also been tested and proven to show results.
Preparing for the Massage
All I had to prepare was three large towels and two small towels, as they delivered the massage bed for the sessions. Kak Anita always arrived promptly and set up the massage bed, and the towels quickly and efficiently. She also patiently taught my mother and I how to massage my newborn daughter.
Massage Oils and Binder
Included in their packages are the customised binder, which fits your body shape and size comfortably. It also improves your posture and tones the body when worn for up to 8 hours a day. Anita always ensured the binder was not too tight, and I could comfortably wear it for up to eight hours most days.
During the massage, Anita used ginger lotion, grapeseed oil, pilis and tapel cream. For instance, the ginger lotion helps rejuvenate the skin, reduces stomach bloating and cellulite, body aches and excessive air. I really appreciated the light consistency of the grapeseed oil as it wasn’t too oily on the skin.
Benefits
Improving Sleep
After three weeks of waking up every two to three hours to feed my daughter, the postnatal massage was beneficial in helping me drift off to sleep during the sessions, something I never usually do. It also helped ease muscle tension in the body, while promoting blood circulation and reducing stress.
Boosting Lactation
In order to improve lactation, the massage helps reduce engorgement and clear block ducts to increase breast milk supply. Unlike previous experiences, I found the breast massage to sometimes be mildly uncomfortable, but pretty painless. My masseuse, Kak Anita, stressed the importance of being gentle around the breast area when trying to clear blocked ducts and engorgement.
Reducing Post-Surgery Swelling
Other benefits include reducing post-surgery swelling. Personally, I felt that the postnatal massages helped with back and neck aches, and forearm and wrist pain due to the frequent feeding sessions.
Womb Recovery and Care
Finally, the postnatal massage also included massaging the womb to help with recovery and care. It helps reposition the pelvic muscles and abdominal organs, and encouraging lochia discharge.
Results
Midway through the massage sessions, I noticed that my abdominal area, had slimmed down to its pre-pregnancy state. Additionally, I was able to fully zip up a white dress all the way, despite it not fitting a few days prior. The shoes I had abandoned toward the end of my last trimester now fit again.
Infant Massage
Kak Anita also took great care of my daughter, focusing on helping her with her bowel movements and to release excess gas. During the seven sessions, Anita also made time to give her a quick massage.
Prior to the sessions, my daughter had not had a bowel movement for five days. After two sessions, she finally had bowel movements over the weekend, which helped her purge out the jaundice still remaining in the body. By the end of the seven sessions, she looked significantly less yellow, and her jaundice levels dropped dramatically.
Relevant Reads: Confinement Centres, Food for Breastfeeding Mums
