Results demonstrate that participants' postpartum practices followed beliefs originating from the Yin and Yang of Chinese medicine and that they practiced a number of activities to maintain their body heat. Women accepted the practice of 'lying by fire' or Yu Fai during the postpartum period, and this was believed to reheat the mother's body, increase uterus involution, flatten the belly of the new mother, help to remove stretch marks and help to heal perineal tears. A small group of women described 'lying by fire' as also assisting with increasing in milk supply, helping them to gain strength and avoid permanent ill health due to a cold state. However, some considered 'lying by fire' as inconvenient and unpleasant, and some suffered minor burns and heat rashes. However, they remained convinced of its benefits as an important aspect of their health practices.