Cheng Su had a natural childbirth, stayed in the hospital for two days, and was discharged. It wasnât about saving money or anything like that. The other mother in her room had a C-section and was moaning in pain constantly afterward, making it impossible for Cheng Su to rest.
Mother Cheng privately said to Cheng Su, "You see? Is it easy getting cut like that? It might be quick during delivery, but afterward, the mother suffers greatly, drains her energy, and needs to sit for a longer confinement period. Not to mention the baby isnât as lively as ours. Itâs good you had a natural birth."
Cheng Su chuckled awkwardly, not daring to argue. In comparison to others who didnât dare get out of bed, she could at least sit up and use the bathroom herself. Although it was still painful, it was nothing like the pain of her roommate.
Natural births recover relatively quicker. The doctors all said Cheng Su could go home to recuperate. If thatâs the case, then she might as well be discharged and go home. Itâs more comfortable at home, and thereâs no need to worry constantly about the baby being stolen at the hospital.
Itâs not unheard of that babies get kidnapped, so keeping a constant watch is the right thing to do.
So everyone, including Cheng Su, raised both hands in agreement to be discharged and go home.
Upon entering the house, Mother Cheng carried the baby inside, murmuring, "Our Baby Qi is home!"
The baby hadnât been named yet, not even a nickname, so they just called it Baby. Mother Cheng actually wanted to give the baby a rustic nickname, like Deng Weixiaâs eldest sonâs, Gou Sheng, thinking a plain name means easier raising.
The thought of "Gou Sheng" sounded awful to Cheng Su, and she refused resolutely, having to stick with calling it Baby.
In July, the weather was scorching. After returning indoors from outside, Cheng Su was drenched in sweat but wasnât allowed to bathe or even have the fan on. She was about to cry.
"Which midwife allows drafts? Do you want to have headaches when youâre old? You canât do that," Mother Cheng said, holding down the fan, and instructed Qi Taiguo, "Son-in-law, move the fan to the living room."
"Mom, itâs not like itâs blowing directly at me. Just having it in the room gives some coolness. Thereâs no wind at all, itâs hot, and I canât bathe. Are you trying to let me break out in a rash?" Cheng Su said, her face overwhelmed with sympathy, looking at Qi Taiguo for help.
Qi Taiguo felt deeply sympathetic and said, "Mother-in-law, Susu has a point. Why not just let it blow at the corner? The airflow will cool down the place a bit. Otherwise, sheâll get a rash, and, worse, itâll be too stuffy to sleep, and she wonât get proper rest, rendering postpartum recovery useless!"
"Yes, yes!" Cheng Su nodded like a pecking chick, "If the postpartum care isnât good, Iâll definitely have postpartum troubles and might not have energy to nurse my son!"
Mother Cheng pursed her lips and said, "Youâre just putting on a show to fool this old lady!" But she released her hold on the fan. "Let it blow at that corner only."
Cheng Su breathed a sigh of relief and then said, "Mom, Iâm so sticky. Can I at least..."
"No baths!" Mother Cheng immediately looked like a brooding hen, glaring, "Cheng Su, donât push your luck. Even if you bathe, it has to be after twelve days using water boiled with ginger peel, which I have already prepared."
Cheng Su muttered, "I heard others use herbal water to wash after just a few days. It supposedly helps recovery..."
Seeing Mother Chengâs eyes widen with anger, she had to surrender again, "Can I at least sponge myself a bit? Iâm so sweaty; I canât sleep otherwise!"
After much persuasion, Mother Cheng finally agreed but went to fetch ginger water for wiping, leaving Cheng Su on the verge of tears. Having a baby at this time meant she was doomed to suffer through the postpartum period.