Hellobee Boards

I'm not Asian but had my first while living in Japan and a lot of restaurants would react strangely When I'd order ice water. Some
Would refuse to bring it to me and give
Me hot tea instead!

My parents just emphasized taking it easy. They recommended that we cancel a trip with a lot of walking and that I rest and sit as much as possible. I know most women continue to exercise during their pregnancies but I think active exercising would have given my mom a heart arrack.

My mom had a lot more post partum rituals that seemed specifically Chinese. She didn't want me drinking anything cold (I wanted ice water after my first and she tried to get me to compromise by removing the ice). She also cooked a lot of chicken soup with wood ear and ginger vinegar with pigs trotters. After my second pregnancy I was a lot weaker and constantly cold. I actually found the food very nourishing and helpful for staying warm. So even though the pigs trotters grossed me out I ate a giant batch of them.

@PurplePumps: I'm not asian, but I did do IVF and ice water was a no-no for quite a while. Something about causing the uterus to contract. I forget who told me this, though.

@agold: In Asian culture women shouldn't drink iced anything for that reason too to reduce cramping during periods and for overall uterine health!

I'm only half Asian but I also definitely remember my dad saying something about funerals. Luckily, no one I know has died while I've been pregnant.

Not a pregnancy thing, but the only other thing I can remember is that right after LO was born, my dad asked me to visit my mother's grave to formally introduce her. He said it was customary.

My parents are pretty lax, but even the few things they told me not to do, I ignored it. My dad told me not to watch anything scary or sad on TV/movies. My mom told me not to sit on anything cold.

Thankfully, no. My mom lives across the country.
She did come out after the babies were born and there were certain foods I was not supposed to eat. My sister who came out at the same time would buy them for herself and give it to me.