China is a good country to be pregnant. With the one child policy, people treat you really well. They offer you seats on the subway or bus. They talk about how radiant you look. They don't let you carry anything heavy and are generally very considerate.
This year is a good year to be pregnant, because everyone in China want to have a dragon baby, me too. But you know, when we go out no matter to have a walk or go shopping, we will meet lots of pregnant women this year. It is boring to go to hospital because I have to wait a whole morning for a simple check. May be my choice to have a baby in this year is quite unwise.
We have quite a few superstitions too, sharing a few I came across...
Dragon Babies
Everywhere you look this year, you can find pregnant women. The chinese believe that the year of the dragon is a good year to have babies, as the baby will have similar qualities of a dragon. The dragon also symbolises the emperor in Chinese mythology.
Don't move your bed
If you are pregnant, don't move the bed you are usually using, the older will tell you that your baby will be not well if you change the position of the bed.
But unfortunately, I moved house twice during my pregnancy, and I have no other choice.
Cold drinks/food during the first trimester:
The hens sit on their eggs to keep it warm so they can hatch. Similarly during pregnancy you must eat hot / warm food and avoid cold drinks or food.
Eating white colored food:
Milk, egg white and other light colored food will help you having a fair skinned baby.
Don't attend a funeral ceremony:
If your wife is pregnant, you should not attend a funeral ceremony no matter the one is your best friend. Because it is unlucky.
Post natal care:
The first month after delivery is called the "sitting month". Women who just had a baby are not allowed to do any sort of activity including taking a bath. The belief is, as their body is weak they may catch cold.
Also, bird's nest and other health boosting soup has to be consumed by the new mother . (including eating your own placenta)
The women are also not allowed to sit or sleep in rooms with the air conditioner on.
The women cut their hair to chin length after delivery as long hair is considered to weaken your baby.
In my opinion, those sayings may be right, but it is not absolute, for example, don't move your bed, because a pregnant woman need rest and avoid to carry anything heavy, if you feel tired, your baby will be not well, it is easy to know.
Whether you follow these or not, the main thing is to just enjoy this phase and not worry too much. Having a baby is a blessing and can only bring you joy!
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