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Deakin Deakin University researcher Associate Professor Liz
Eckermann is working to reduce the morbidity rates of mothers
and infants in Lao PDR by gaining a better understanding of
ancient customs called Yu Fai and Mother Roasting. Yu Fai,
literally meaning ‘on fire’, occurs in a number of countries
throughout South East Asia when after giving birth, a mother
lies on a bamboo bed either over a brazier containing hot
charcoal embers or with the brazier located in the centre of the
room. Women remain on the hotbed throughout their confinement
which can range from 10 to 45 days. The hotbed is only left when
the mother undertakes a cleansing ritual otherwise she remains
there all day and all night, eats her meals on the bed and
nurses her infant with the temperature usually exceeding 50°C.
Mother roasting is a separate activity within the Yu Fai ritual
in which the mother exposes herself to high temperatures between
80-100°C generated by hot charco