Confinement is one thing I definitely do not look forward to and the word 'Confinement' says it all.
Either because I'm not one who enjoys following rules (probably a generation thing) or there's simply too many old wives' tales that didn't make sense to me. But not all choices are for me to make especially when you have the older ones around to be nagging at you in complying to those rules.
1. No showering or washing hair
This rule was set to prevent 'wind' from entering the body and I know of some mothers who go around with this by using dry shampoos. BUT delivery in June is no joke. Have you seen the weather lately? How is it possible for anyone to do confinement in the hottest part of the year without showering or washing hair?!
For the love of all hygiene purposes, I bought my herbs from Lao Ban Niang - Confinement Herbal Bath. Apparently it is always out of stock but the staffs offer great follow-ups on when the stocks will arrive.It's also cool to have a MIL that supports bathing during confinement and she had also bought other brands of herbal bath for me to try. Now, I have almost 40 days or even longer worth of herbal baths to use during the confinement period.
My Compromises
Shower only in warm water and to dry myself thoroughly before moving around the house. Husband also insisted on closing the windows before I head to shower just to prevent 'wind' from entering the body.
2. No aircon and fan
I consider this as another joke part 2 on top of no showering and washing hair.
I strongly believe in making one feel comfortable during confinement especially if I'll be breastfeeding and all and to be emotionally saint after birth.
After reading the reviews and research I'd done so far, I will go with using the aircon in this case as fan seems more of a major culprit for 'wind' to enter the body. But I seriously cannot imagine the electricity bills. Oh my god.
My Compromises
Not having them blowing directly at me and keeping temperature cool instead of cold.
3. Cannot drink plain water
As it may cause water retention. But I always thought that water retention is caused by insufficient water intake.
Following/Breaking rules
So I'm not exactly stubborn as it seems. There must be some form of give and take when I have certain rules that I refuse to follow. So for this, I'm giving in. Although not a fan of flavoured drinks but how bad can it go to drink logan and red date tea for 30 days. Actually it is bad but I will give it a try. I have a strong feeling I might cheat a little on this.
Hmmm, perhaps warm water?
4. No visitors in the house
Simply because if such rules were to be lifted, probably the entire family tree will be paying a visit.
Following/Breaking rules
I believe most days I wouldn't want to worry about changing out of my PJs, entertaining people whom i'm not closed with, managing sleep timings or feeding time so yes will only limit to close family and friends for this. Will meet up with the rest on his one month birthday (man yue). Guess who's the organiser for this? Hahaha, of course it's my dearest sister. She's too good of an event planner to leave her out of it. :)
5. Chinese Confinement Diet
The nutritional values in the confinement diet is to help regain strength and health after 9 months of pregnancy plus a long and tiring labour. They are usually heavy in ginger, sesame oil, other applicable chinese herbs and alcohol which are deemed 'heaty' so that it can help to purge out 'wind' from the body.
Following/Breaking rules
Okay confession, I'm a picky eater.
I don't enjoy drinking chinese soup (more of a mushroom soup kind of person) and not a big fan of pork or its parts which is basically what I have to eat during confinement. So thank god for the caring husband to get a confinement lady whom is able to cater to my picky needs. I believe I'll be having lots and lots of fish during the 30 days of confinement. Actually I'm still wondering, other than cod fish/salmon fish, is there any other type of food I can eat? Or it depends how creative the confinement lady can be?
6. Not leaving the house
The word 'confinement' explains it. Probably that's the whole point to this name. Setting this rule is to make sure that mothers had been provided sufficient rest after birth which I simply cannot imagine myself doing this.
Following/Breaking rules
Actually I really don't know about this. I will try to follow it but if I really 'buay tahan' I know i will find all sorts of reasons to break it. I secretly hope my husband doesn't chance upon this, if not he would probably start nagging at me.
Not sure if I am ready but dreading it to start and can't wait for it to be over.
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