In China, once a woman announces her pregnancy, celebrations
will abound! A girl? A boy? Oh, as long as its healthy!
As pregnancy poses many risks to the health of both the
mother and the baby, this statement often means a call to
action as much as it is a sincere wish. In Chinese culture, many
customs and superstitions surround the state of pregnancy and
post-partum care. They function to protect the pregnant woman and
newborn child from "malign influences," and to avert problems with
pregnancy and birthing such as miscarriages and stillbirth. With
the one-child policy in full force, its better to be safe than sorry, as
the old adage goes.
So if you're interested in appeasing those Chinese in-laws, or
simply want to understand why yourself or your partner can't use
glue or eat crab during the pregnancy, here's your foolproof guide.
PRE-NATAL PRECAUTIONS:
Do not use sharp objects, i.e. scissors and knives, on the bed because
it can result in the infant being born with a cleft palate.
Do not go near an open fire, i.e. a barbecue, or any open cooking
fire.
Do not touch anything adhesive or anything with glue and do
not post or tape anything on walls; this causes the baby to have
birthmarks.
Do not criticize others; otherwise the baby will act and look like

the person you criticize.
The use of foul language must be avoided as this may cause the
baby to be cursed.
A pregnant woman should not walk around barefoot.
Rubbing the abdomen too often is thought to result in a spoilt and
over demanding child!
FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
Avoid eating shellfish. Otherwise the baby will be born with a
rash!
Pineapple can cause miscarriages.
Crab and squid cause the womb to be "sticky" during labor.
If you eat too much the baby will be too large and labor will be
harder.
Drink coconut milk so that the baby will have a good complexion.
LABOR AND DELIVERY:
The spouse cannot be present during the delivery period because
it is not part of the male role to participate. The major responsibility
for care of the mother is taken by her mother-in-law, not her husband.
However, it is the role of the father to give the baby its first
bath.

For the first delivery, the mother of the expectant woman is present;
however it is up to the expectant woman to deliver subsequent
births alone.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
During labor, crying out will attract evil spirits to the new child, so
silence is recommended to protect the baby.
A necklace must be placed around the baby's neck before the
umbilical cord is cut, as this will "tie" the baby's life to the necklace
and not the cord.
Post-partum is considered a "cold" condition due to blood loss
during labor. Hot foods are required to rebuild lost blood supply. If
cold foods are eaten at this time it can result in headaches, backaches
or arthritis in old age. Hot foods would include: hot water, hot
tea, ginger, vinegar, pig's feet and high protein meats, although
beef should be avoided because it slows down healing.
NOTE TO THE MOMMIES
Stay indoors for at least thirty days. This is called the "sitting
month" or "zouyuezi." This period can be as long as three months.
To prevent complications and upsetting the balance of "hot and
cold," avoid showering, washing your hair, or exposing yourself
to any cold conditions such as air conditioning, open windows or
doorways during the "sitting" month.
Use water with ginger to purify your hands before handling the
baby.

BREAST FEEDING
Soups made from papaya and fish with papaya are encouraged
to increase milk production.
The first milk, "colostrum" is considered stale or dirty, therefore it
is discarded.
BABY TALK
Babies are traditionally left to sleep on their backs to produce a
flattened head which is considered beautiful.
Praise should never be given to or applied to a newborn Chinese
baby as this may invite the attention of demons and ghosts. The
baby instead should be referred to with unfavorable terms and
words. "Drink your milk! That's right, you little ****!" Superstition
also warns against naming a baby before it's born, since a nice
name might entice a spirit to steal it away. So, Chinese babies frequently
go by aliases—false names or milk names—to scare away
evil spirits until they are older. Another way parents thwart nasty
spirits is by fastening little golden bells to the baby's wrists and
ankles.
A concave navel is considered a sign of a prosperous life for the
baby, while an extruding one is less auspicious. If a baby has more
than one hair crown it is thought they will be mischievous and disobedient,
but if the baby has wide and thick ears they will live in
prosperity. A baby's head should be stroked often so as it becomes
nicely rounded.