Challenges faced during Omugwo (postpartum care) in Igboland: exploring the experiences of husbands

Postpartum care, which is generally called Omugwo has been part of the culture of man since creation. Amongst the Igbo, it is a special form of care that is given to a lady after birth. This form of care involved the family of both the wife and husband considering its deep-rooted cultural significance. This study eval-uates the nature of Omugwo amongst the Igbo people with special focus on the challenges that husbands face. The study used primary and secondary sources to develop its content. It found that husband face economic, social, psychological and cultural problems of different forms during Omugwo. The scenario is worsened by the fact that cultural norms does not allow for complaints from both husband of the wife and the husband to the mother in-law that is often abandoned. The study therefore calls for increased attention from the extended family to a male spouse that is giving postpartum care to the wife as well as the husband or father –in law, whose wife have gone to take care of their daughter. This is significant as it will help in managing the gender-based crisis that men face during Omugwo.