Postpartum Depression in the Heat of Tradition: A Transcultural Case of Mararang

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-966-7_25How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Postpartum depression; cultural transition; traditional postpartum care

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common yet underdiagnosed mental health disorder that emerges within weeks to months after childbirth. It is characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, sleep and appetite disturbances, and fatigue. Globally, prevalence rates vary widely due to differences in cultural perceptions, and healthcare accessibility, with estimates ranging from 0.5% to 60%. Cultural beliefs and traditional postpartum practices may influence both the manifestation and recognition of PPD, leading to variations in its clinical course and treatment. This case report explores the interplay between postpartum depression (PPD) and cultural traditions by examining a 28-year-old who developed PPD after being exposed to Mararang, a postpartum care practice observed by her husband’s family. Mararang involves placing burning embers beneath the mother and baby’s bed for 30 to 60 days during the postpartum period, believed to support recovery but potentially posing health hazards. She was instructed to sit on a chair placed over heated charcoal for 15–20 minutes in the morning. In the evening, she was asked to lie on a bed with burning charcoal positioned underneath, with the belief that the heat and smoke would accelerate postpartum recovery. The patient began experiencing profound sadness and frequent crying episodes starting four weeks after childbirth. These emotional symptoms were accompanied by loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches, fatigue, lack of motivation, difficulty bonding with her baby, feelings of inadequacy as a mother, and a sense of worthlessness. This case underscores how cultural transitions, the absence of familial support, and conflict between traditional practices can contribute to the onset of PPD. Treatment included Fluoxetine 10 mg and Alprazolam 0.5 mg, although existing literature recommends a comprehensive approach. For mild to moderate cases, non-pharmacological interventions are advised, while SSRIs are considered the first-line pharmacological treatment for moderate to severe presentations. Early identification and timely intervention are crucial to ensuring maternal well-being and promoting optimal child development.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Juli Permatasari
AU  - Vita Camellia
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/25
TI  - Postpartum Depression in the Heat of Tradition: A Transcultural Case of Mararang
BT  - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Neuroscience, Neurology, and Psychiatry 2025 (ICONAP 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 171
EP  - 179
SN  - 2468-5739
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-966-7_25
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-966-7_25
ID  - Permatasari2025
ER  -