How to Understand Your Postpartum Experience and Mental Health as an Asian-American Mother
The cultural influence of the post-partum experience for Asian-American women
Motherhood is a transformative experience, but for many Asian American parents, the postpartum journey comes with unique cultural expectations, unspoken pressures, and gaps in care that aren’t always acknowledged in mainstream conversations. While the focus is often on raising children, or nearer to the time of birth, on the baby, your health—both physical and mental—is just as important. With international Women’s Day this weekend (March 8th), we want to shed light on the breadth of women’s experience of post-partum and women’s mental health.
Across many Asian cultures, new mothers are often expected to recover in silence, push through exhaustion, and instinctively know how to care for their child. The phrase “it takes a village” rings true, but that village can sometimes come with traditions, expectations, and unsolicited advice that make an already overwhelming period even more complicated. Meanwhile, Western postpartum care often lacks the holistic, culturally sensitive support that you may need as an Asian American parent.
This article explores how you can navigate postpartum health, find a balance between cultural traditions and modern medicine, and access the mental health support that truly understands your experience.
Understanding postpartum care through a cultural lens
For centuries, postpartum recovery — the period of time following childbirth — in many Asian cultures has been guided by strict traditions meant to restore a mother’s strength, protect her long-term health, and ensure a smooth transition into parenthood. Many of these practices are rooted in zuo yuezi (Chinese), sanhujori (Korean), and ayurvedic (South Asian) postpartum care, emphasizing rest, warm foods, and a strict avoidance of cold temperatures.
These traditions reflect a deep understanding of the body’s need to recover—but they can also feel rigid and leave little room for personal agency. You might feel comforted by these customs, or you might find them restrictive, especially when living in a Western context where taking a full month off for rest is unrealistic.
There’s also the cultural expectation that postpartum difficulties—whether physical exhaustion or mental health struggles—should be endured quietly. You might hesitate to voice your struggles, fearing that seeking help will be perceived as weakness or failure. In fact, a study published in The Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities found that Asian American mothers are significantly less likely than white mothers to seek professional help for postpartum depression, often citing stigma or lack of culturally competent care as barriers.
But the truth is, your well-being matters. Postpartum care should support you, not just the baby. Whether that means embracing cultural traditions, adapting them to fit your lifestyle, or stepping outside of them entirely, you deserve to recover in a way that feels right for you. This International Women’s Day, remember that we are not a homogenous mass, we are all unique as women, and entitled to create our own version of wellbeing that works for us.
The village approach: How Asian American families support new mothers
Traditional support systems: The double-edged sword
In many Asian cultures, postpartum care is not an individual experience—it’s a family affair. If you have parents or in-laws involved, they may take an active role in helping you recover, offering guidance, cooking nourishing meals, and taking care of the baby so you can rest.
This communal support can be invaluable. Studies have shown that strong social support reduces postpartum depression and improves maternal well-being. However, you might also feel overwhelmed by the presence of multiple family members, especially if it blurs boundaries or leaves you feeling like you have little control over your own recovery.
Examples of cultural postpartum care in the Asian community
Chinese postpartum confinement (zuo yuezi)
You may be encouraged to stay indoors for 30 days, avoid cold foods, limit exposure to wind, and consume warming soups and herbal remedies to replenish your body’s energy (qi). While some mothers find this practice restorative, others feel restricted and prefer a more flexible approach.
South Asian postpartum rituals
Your family may prepare nutrient-dense foods like ghee turmeric milk, and fenugreek to promote healing and lactation. Daily oil massages are also a common practice, believed to improve circulation and relieve postpartum aches.
Korean postpartum care (sanhujori)
You might be served miyeok-guk (seaweed soup) for weeks after childbirth due to its high iron and mineral content, which is thought to aid postpartum recovery. Many Korean mothers consider this a comforting and essential part of their healing process.
Filipino hilot therapy
You may receive hilot, a traditional massage technique used to realign the body and support postpartum healing. This is often performed by a trained midwife or healer.
Vietnamese postpartum traditions
Your family may encourage you to eat warming foods like ginger and rice while avoiding anything considered “cold” or damp, which is believed to delay healing.
These traditions have been practiced for generations, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow them exactly as they were intended. You may choose to embrace some aspects while modifying or letting go of others based on what works best for you.
Finding balance between traditional healing and Western medicine in postpartum care
In the U.S., postpartum care tends to be more clinical—centered around doctor visits, lactation consultations, and check-ins for postpartum depression. While these services are critical, they may not always acknowledge the holistic, culturally rooted care that you’re familiar with.
You might find yourself torn between your family’s belief in traditional healing and the advice of your doctor. Some Western providers dismiss traditional postpartum practices as unscientific, while some elders in your family may view Western medicine as unnecessary or overly medicalized.
The reality is, there’s no single “right” approach. Many mothers find that blending both traditional and modern care works best for them. You might:
Incorporate herbal remedies alongside evidence-based treatments
Use acupuncture or postpartum massage in addition to medical postpartum recovery plans
Work with both a doctor and a cultural healer to receive well-rounded care
What’s important is to make choices that align with your values, needs, and comfort level. That means considering the blend of traditional practices and modern approaches that feels good for you. For example, if having the security of science-backed medicines feels important to you, you might communicate to your family that you’ll drink the tea they carefully and lovingly prepared for you, in addition to consulting a medical professional on a symptom you may be experiencing, in order to ensure the best support.
Women’s mental health and postpartum recovery
The reality of postpartum mental health
The physical recovery after childbirth is one thing—but the mental health challenges that come with new motherhood can be just as demanding. with International Women’s Day on the horizon, this is an important reminder to consider the nuanced experience of womanhood, which is often hidden or shamed.
Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety are common, yet many Asian American mothers don’t seek help due to cultural stigma, lack of research, and difficulty finding mental health professionals who understand their experiences. You might experience:
Persistent sadness or feelings of emptiness
Overwhelming anxiety or panic attacks
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest
Feeling disconnected, numb, or unlike yourself
Beyond specific conditions, you could be struggling with broader issues like:
Anxiety or depression that isn’t improving
Pressure from family that feels overwhelming
A feeling of inadequacy compared to your expectations of yourself as a mother
Difficulty balancing traditional postpartum care with Western medicine
A lack of emotional support or feeling like no one understands what you’re going through
It’s also of note that research on postpartum mental health is overwhelmingly centered on white women, leaving significant gaps in understanding how these conditions manifest in women of color. Up to 60% of women of colour don’t receive care services post-partum. In fact, with the current administration cutting funding to DEI initiatives, communities that already struggle with access to appropriate care are at risk of being further marginalized. This is another important reminder that International Women’s Day is about including all women in efforts towards equality, being sure to take an intersectional approach.
Managing postpartum mental health as an Asian American parent
1. Normalize talking about it: You might hesitate to share your struggles for fear of judgment, but postpartum depression and anxiety are not signs of failure. They are medical conditions that deserve treatment.
2. Seek culturally competent care: Finding a therapist or support group that understands the cultural nuances of Asian American motherhood can make a huge difference. Anise’s mental health professionals are trained to provide this kind of support.
3. Ask for help when you need it: Whether it’s therapy, medication, or simply confiding in a trusted friend, you don’t have to do this alone.
Final thoughts:
How to seek support as an Asian mom
Becoming a mother is one of the most profound transitions in life, but it’s also one of the most challenging. As an Asian American parent, navigating postpartum recovery means balancing cultural traditions, personal well-being, and medical care—all while adjusting to the immense responsibility of caring for your baby.
If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone. These challenges are real, and support is available. If you or someone you love is navigating postpartum recovery and needs help, explore Anise’s resources on maternal mental health or reach out to connect with a provider who understands your experience.
Complete this intake form and one of our culturally-informed providers can connect with you within days. Our therapists understand these challenges with the context from Asian cultures, and we can work through your unique circumstances. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
