Baby Blues
Laura's organization is crawling with infants, literally. Only one of the members living at the house is currently sans hubby or child. Right now the totals up to 5 kids.
The latest edition arrived last week. A cute little boy born to parents who, honestly, didn't seem too thrilled about the idea of being parents. As the mother told me "I don't like babies." She also mentioned that her husband would prefer she continue school instead of raising babies (he's a keeper for sure! Especially in these parts of the woods where many men do not hold the same views). It turns out that the baby was an accident and they really weren't planning on being parents just yet.
After hearing their story it made me glad I come from a place where parents have so many options about what to do if they have not planned their pregnancy. In Thailand and in Burma, abortion is illegal, supposedly because of religious reasons. Buddhist religious reasons. If one has the money, time and passport one could travel to Singapore. Adoption in these places isn't really an option either. You can leave your baby at an orphanage, but there is little chance that it will get adopted. This is because if the child cannot be cared for by the parents then extended family are left with the burden (and/or the joy).
Along with the baby came a whole slew of traditions. It seems like the people of Burma are still very much rooted in their traditional culture, including superstitions. Because I find it interesting, I will list some, related to childbirth (and after), below:
After child birth the mother is confined to her room with the baby. She is not supposed to leave this room. She cannot do any work including cleaning, cooking or doing laundry. Someone brings all of her meals to her bedroom. To keep her from going crazy with boredom (my own opinion), people are allowed to visit her. This seclusion lasts for at least 1 month. Maybe more if the birth was a difficult one. I do not mind this practice, but it is a little troublesome knowing one of my best students is unable to attend my class, which is about 50 feet away from her room, because of this tradition.
For a month after the birth, the mother must not eat a multitude of foods from most vegetables to chicken and beef. The chicken and beef are not allowed because they will make her hurt if she eats them. Spicy food is a no go because it could cause diarrhea in the baby. Jack fruit, a type of vegetable, may lead to a lower output of breast milk. Therefore, the mother is left with little choices, which usually range from fried pork to fried fish. All things considered, I don't understand why MSG is OK for the mother, but vegetables are not. I also find it interesting that one of the few things they are allowed to eat is also one of the few things that doctors back home are telling mothers and mothers-to-be not to eat (fish).
Lastly, the mother must not bathe with water. Instead, a medicinal concoction is boiled up for her each day and she uses this to bathe.
At the end of the month, the parents hold a naming ceremony for the baby. There is also a little celebration. They say it is for the baby, but I suspect it is to celebrate the release of the mother from these rules back into the everyday life.
