China Scene: East

Matrons in high demand by young couples

Maternity matrons have become more popular in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, to provide help for inexperienced young parents.

Chinese women traditionally are confined indoors for a month after delivering a baby because they are apparently susceptible to various gynecological diseases. During this month, the job of caring for the newborn and the new mother usually falls on a grandmother or an experienced female relative.