having a baby in china. part 2.

ok.  here is part 2 of having a baby in china.

delivery and after birth.

DELIVERY
after you give birth, the doctor will ask if you want the placenta.  it is believed by many people in the world that eating the placenta will help prevent postpartum depression, decrease postpartum hemorrhaging, shrink the uterus and encourage milk production.  in china the placenta is also used for medicinal purposes and the hospital will often sell them.

AFTER THE BIRTH
often the baby's name is not chosen until after the baby is born.  it is considered bad luck if you name the child beforehand.  a lot of thought is put into naming the baby.  sometimes a newborn baby is called an animal name or ugly to try and trick
evil spirits into thinking the baby is not worth kidnapping.

mother and baby are not allowed to leave the house, sometimes the bed for the first 30 days, to ensure a healthy mom and baby.

the mother must never walk around barefoot.  socks are a must.

mom should be kept warm at all times, so ward off a cold.

no showers or washing your hair for the first 30 days.  washing your hair absorbs a lot of water and causes colds.

after 30 days, many people have a party.  often when most people meet the baby for the first time.

it is a sign of beauty if the back of the head is flat.  sometimes rice is put in the baby's pillow to obtain a flat head.  or a book is tied to the back of the baby's head.

100 days after the baby is born another celebration is given.  lots of food, family and this is usually when the baby can go outside for the first time.