yup that's what they say - "wind" supposedly because if you deliver there's a "big" opening from where the baby comes out and the "wind" goes in...affecting your joints, etc. in the long term i.e. rhumatism (not that there is ANY scienitific proof) but that's what is said. i didn't bathe in it, didn't mind the taste of it so had ginger with rice as a go between with my MIL. the "wind" factor is also why we supposedly shouldn't take a bath / shower because when you do, the "wind" will enter your body because you're so exposed and that will lead to rheumatism too later on in your life...i took a bath 3 hours after i gave birth - of course without the consent of my MIL...but hey, you need to be clean to take care of your new born, right?!?
Any local customs after giving birth?
- Thread starter Newbie_hk
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Oh, and the best yet was when I went to my first ultrasound appointment with the OBGYN referred to me by another pregnant lady at my church. I needed to know if there are any foods which should be avoided during pregnancy (ex: sashimi, cold lunch meat, etc...) and she said, "Just do whatever your mother in law says. It will avoid conflict"
What?! (How about what my MOTHER says who is a health nut herself. Those very "forbidden" fruits and veggies in Chinese traditions are often the ones most "healthful" according to my own mother...) Plus I never told her what my mother in law thought in the first place!
Oh, and when I asked her if I would be able to safely travel in my early second semester (I had booked a flight to Japan) she said no. But her reason was this: "You might catch a cold because it's cold in the winter in Japan." Um.... okay?
Needless to say, though I did cancel my Japan trip for my own very different reasons, I also am seeing a different doctor now who is at least a teeny bit better...
What?! (How about what my MOTHER says who is a health nut herself. Those very "forbidden" fruits and veggies in Chinese traditions are often the ones most "healthful" according to my own mother...) Plus I never told her what my mother in law thought in the first place!
Oh, and when I asked her if I would be able to safely travel in my early second semester (I had booked a flight to Japan) she said no. But her reason was this: "You might catch a cold because it's cold in the winter in Japan." Um.... okay?
Needless to say, though I did cancel my Japan trip for my own very different reasons, I also am seeing a different doctor now who is at least a teeny bit better...
Thanks everyone for your reply.
I've had my baby already and my husband did end up taking his colleagues out for lunch but it was a joint celebration as it was someone's birthday. I didn't do any of that ginger water or other confinement foods.
What did throw me was this 1 month confinement that locals were whispering behind my back when they saw me walking around with my 1 week old baby. A fellow expat mum warned me that people will say I shouldn't be out and about with the baby. They also commented about my wardrobe saying I should be more covered up. Not in this summer heat! Anyway, I didn't end up going out much and stayed indoors with the aircon on.
Glad this thread has taken on different life. Very interesting comments!!!
I've had my baby already and my husband did end up taking his colleagues out for lunch but it was a joint celebration as it was someone's birthday. I didn't do any of that ginger water or other confinement foods.
What did throw me was this 1 month confinement that locals were whispering behind my back when they saw me walking around with my 1 week old baby. A fellow expat mum warned me that people will say I shouldn't be out and about with the baby. They also commented about my wardrobe saying I should be more covered up. Not in this summer heat! Anyway, I didn't end up going out much and stayed indoors with the aircon on.
Glad this thread has taken on different life. Very interesting comments!!!
Yeah, that makes tons of sense. Don't follow sound medical advice about raw foods that could contain harmful bacteria to the fetus. It's more important to keep your mother-in-law happy and cut out potentially healthy fruits and vegetables.
Changing docs sounds like a good plan!
Changing docs sounds like a good plan!
Newbie -- Never mind what the locals say behind your back. You have to be strong and do what's right for you and your child.
Though you can imagine how much harder it is for us women who are actually Chinese!
I can't count how many times my mom has brought up a confinement lady, soups, weird rules -- but not a word about the real dangerous stuff, like alcohol, second-hand smoke, drugs, raw foods, etc.
As if pregnancy is not tiring enough, we modern Chinese ladies also have to spend alot of effort just keeping all the superstitions at bay!
BTW, congrats on your new one! And don't bundle up if you don't want to. It's hot as @#$! outside.
Today I ordered a mango juice with some ice, and the waitress gave me this look of shock and horror. She tried arguing with me. "Just bring me my juice," I said. She should feel lucky that I wasn't ordering a cocktail, which is what I really want.
Though you can imagine how much harder it is for us women who are actually Chinese!
I can't count how many times my mom has brought up a confinement lady, soups, weird rules -- but not a word about the real dangerous stuff, like alcohol, second-hand smoke, drugs, raw foods, etc.
As if pregnancy is not tiring enough, we modern Chinese ladies also have to spend alot of effort just keeping all the superstitions at bay!
BTW, congrats on your new one! And don't bundle up if you don't want to. It's hot as @#$! outside.
Today I ordered a mango juice with some ice, and the waitress gave me this look of shock and horror. She tried arguing with me. "Just bring me my juice," I said. She should feel lucky that I wasn't ordering a cocktail, which is what I really want.