Lying-in is an old childbirth practice involving a woman resting in bed for a period after giving birth. Though the term is now usually defined as "the condition of a woman in the process of giving birth," it previously referred to a period of bed rest required even if there were no medical complications.[1]
A 1932 publication refers to lying-in as ranging from 2 weeks to 2 months.[2] It also does not suggest "Getting Up" (getting out of bed post-birth) for at least nine days and ideally for 20 days.[2][3]
When lying-in was a more common term, it was used in the names of several hospitals. For example, the Royal Women’s Hospital in Australia was originally known as the "Melbourne Lying-In Hospital and Infirmary for Diseases of Women and Children".[4]
Women received congratulatory visits from friends and family during the period, and among many traditional customs around the world the desco da parto was a special form of painted tray presented to the mother in Renaissance Florence.