Pregnancy and Childbirth in China

I spent most of my pregnancy in Beijing, China and have started writing my personal experience about it here.

Chinese babies are so cute, even when they're crying.
(From: Scientific American)

In many ways being pregnant was what I imagined it to be. Morning sickness wasn't fun, feeling the baby's first kick felt like I had thought it would (it was still awesome and took me by surprise) and getting bigger, while not the most comfortable thing in the world, was still pretty cool. It was an adventure to experience things which I had no control over, except when I had to go to the bathroom and was afraid I won't make it in time...especially when I found myself on a bus or subway during rush hour.
There have been many things I hadn't expected though, many of which I doubt I would have encountered were we not in China. Below you'll see just a few of the things people in China still believe and practice even though its the 21st century. Some things seem far fetched, while others seem logical...
The following is a post is partially taken from my old China Blog. 

These are just some of the things various Chinese people told me. Many points highlight the differences between Chinese and Western culture. 

• While pregnant, do not use sharp objects on the bed because it can result in the infant being born with a cleft palate or lip. (i.e. scissors and knives.)
• Do not go near open fire i.e. barbecue, or any open cooking fire. It is not clear why this is important except that this belief continues to be passed down by the older generations. 
• Pregnancy is considered a "hot" condition, so to balance the scale between "hot and cold" or "ying and yang" cold foods must be consumed throughout pregnancy.
• Do not touch anything adhesive or anything with glue because the baby will be born with birth marks.
• Do not criticize others or the baby will act and look like the person you criticize.
• Husbands want boy babies to carry on the family name. (Of course, it is China)
• Acupuncture and massage should be limited because of pregnancy. (I totally ignored this and got a massage every week. Although, the masseuse did avoid areas on my feet that would start contractions when massaged)
• Drink only hot water.
• Avoid eating shellfish because it can cause a rash on the baby. (Western medicine also says to limit, but because of mercury concerns.)
• If you eat too much the baby will be too large and the labor will be harder. 

Many of our Chinese friends counseled me regularly to eat fruit, which I did, but they wanted me to eat an inordinate amount of fruit. 
If the mother's belly is "pointed" it will be a boy if the belly is "rounded" it will be a girl. In my case, this was true. I had a pointy belly and had a boy. 
A few modern Chinese hospitals now allow the father to be with the mother when she is delivering, but it's still pretty uncommon. The spouse is not present during delivery because it is not part of the male role to participate.

• During labor crying out will attract evil spirits to the new child, so silence is recommended to protect baby.
• Squatting is ideal position for birth, if you lie down on your back the baby will have no energy to come out.
• A necklace must be placed around the baby's neck before the umbilical cord is cut, this will "tie" the baby's life to the necklace and not the cord.
• To protect baby's soft spot and belly, rub ginger paste or tiger balm on them.
• Acupressure is helpful for relaxation for easier delivery.
• The placenta must be kept and buried near the birth place so that in death it may be worn into heaven as a symbol of atonement and humility of earth life. It is required to be reborn.
• 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 headache or arthritis in old age.
• The mother must stay in doors for at least thirty days, this is called the "sitting month" or 坐月子 (zuòyuèzi). This period can be as long as three months. Most women who even do this, do so only for 30 days now.
• To prevent complications and avoid upsetting the balance of "hot and cold", avoid showering, washing hair, or exposing yourself to any cold conditions such as air conditioning, open windows, drafts or doorways during the "sitting" month. 

I've had quite a few conversations with Chinese women about the "sitting month". Many women would prefer to have showers and hate the idea of staying inside for one month, but it seems that the more the mom or mother-in-law is involved, the chance of being forced to follow this tradition is greater.