The Mexican Postpartum Ritual (Cerrada)

Closing of the Bones

The Mexican Postpartum Ritual, also known as Cerrada or Cerrada con Rebozo (Closing of the Bones Ceremony), is a sacred and ancestral tradition designed to honor the emotional, physical, and spiritual healing of mothers after childbirth. Deeply rooted in Mexican culture, this ritual invites the mother to receive care, be embraced in her transformation, and gently reclaim her body and energy after the profound journey of carrying life and birthing.

Traditionally performed 40 days postpartum, the Closing of the Bones Ceremony offers a compassionate space for emotional release, reflection, warmth, and physical recovery. It incorporates healing massage, heartfelt listening, and the symbolic “closing” of the body using a Mexican rebozo—a deeply meaningful practice that restores balance and re-centers the mother in her new identity.

At Saasil Birth, we are honored to offer this postpartum doula service in California: San Clemente, Orange County, and North County San Diego, as part of our holistic support for motherhood and healing. The ritual unfolds through the four sacred elements—earth, fire, water, and air—represented by phases such as massage, la sudada (increasing heat to create sweat), herbal baths, and the ceremonial wrapping and closing with the rebozo.

The Closing of the Bones Ceremony supports:

• Emotional and physical closure after childbirth
• Postpartum recovery and integration
• Hormonal rebalance and reduction of inflammation
• Reconnection with one’s body and intuition
• Restoring boundaries and a sense of self
• Honoring loss (such as miscarriage, stillbirth, hysterectomy)
• Healing through trauma or life transitions
• Deep self-nurturing at any stage of motherhood