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A monthly nurse is a woman who looks after a mother and her baby during the postpartum or postnatal period. The phrase is now largely obsolete, but the role is still performed under other names and conditions worldwide.
In the past, it was customary for women to rest in bed or at home for a prolonged period after childbirth. Typically, their female relatives, such as their mother or mother-in-law, would provide care. Alternatively, wealthy families would sometimes hire a monthly nurse. This period, known as confinement or lying-in, would end with the mother's reintroduction to the community during a Christian ceremony called the churching of women. In 18th and 19th century England, the term "monthly nurse" was prevalent since the nurse would usually stay with the patient for four weeks. However, the term "monthly" is not entirely accurate since there was no fixed time or date for the nurse's services to be provided or to end, but rather it was entirely dependent on the arrangement.
The occupation still exists, although now it might be described as "postnatal doula", "maternity nurse" or "newborn care specialist", all are specialist sorts of nannies. A modern version of this rest period has evolved to give maximum support to the new mother, especially if she is recovering from a difficult labor and delivery. It is common in China and its diaspora, where postpartum confinement is known as "sitting the month". These workers can visit the new mother's home daily or live in it for a month and look after them whenever the mother needs help. Conversely, they may work in a central setting, where the new mothers come after they leave the hospital. In Korea, these workers are called Sanhujorisa, and the centers started up in the late 1990s.