ACTIVITIES

• 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 elders. The instructions are to don't question just do this.
• 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; for this causes the baby to have birth marks.
• Do not criticize others; otherwise the baby will act and look like the person you criticize.
• Husbands want boy babies to carry on the family name.
• Acupuncture is limited because of pregnancy.
• During the beginning months of the pregnancy, do not do any heavy work or lifting or have sexual relations with husband to avoid miscarriage.

• Avoid eating shellfish because it can cause a rash on baby.
• Pineapple can cause miscarriages.
• Crab and squid cause the womb to be "sticky".
• If you eat too much the baby will be too large and the labor will be harder.
• Drink coconut milk so that baby will have good quality skin.

• To determining sex while pregnant: if the belly is "pointed" it will be a boy if the belly is "rounded" it will be a girl.

     ROLES

• The spouse is not present during delivery because it is not part of the male role to participate.
• For the first delivery, the mother of the expectant woman is present, however it is up to the  expectant woman to deliver subsequent births by herself at home.
• It is the role of the father to give the baby it's first bath.

• During labor crying out will attract evil spirits to the new child, so silence is recommended to protect  baby.
• Must eat well for energy.
• 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.
• Throughout life, parts of the dried placenta may be used to make medicines for various ailments.

  ---

    POST PARTUM CARE:

• 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.
• Hot foods would include, hot water, hot tea, ginger, vinegar, pigs feet and high protein meats,  although beef should be avoided because it slows healing.

• Stay in doors for at least thirty days, this is called the "sitting month". This period can be as long as three months.
• 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.
• Use water with ginger to purify hands before handling baby.

• Soup of papaya and fish with papaya is encouraged to increase milk production.
• The first milk, "colostrum" is considered stale or dirty, therefore it is discarded.
• Salty foods are encouraged to help produce more milk.

• Babies are traditionally left to sleep on their backs to produce a flattened head which is considered beautiful.
• One year birthday celebration should have a small round yellow and red cake with a peanut based filling and a hard boiled egg colored red. This represents prosperity and long life for the baby.