Post-partum Ge Lai, Dry Shampoo, and 4D Ultrasound Scans

"Ge Lai" (Fookien?) translates to "month after" or the month after a woman gives birth, and where she should avoid strenuous activities such as typing on the computer, bathing... for 30 days! I realize some Westerners and even Pinoys get shocked when our Chinese friends practice Ge Lai.

What? No bathing? In this heat?

Well... not exactly. You can always make naspu-naspu (wet a face towel and scrub your body with it), or you can also use dry shampoo.

My friend Suzi says that's used by some folks in wheelchairs -- just shampoo on, and no need to rinse off. She wonders, however, why the product is no longer available at Rustans.

Do you believe in Ge Lai? Are you willing to avoid taking a bath, for example, for 30 days after you've given birth? I dunno. But I know a few mothers who practiced Ge Lai who today look terrific and seem super-healthy too.

Oh, my friend says her baby looks like her hubby. Whaaaaaaaa? How can you see that clearly via ultrasound?

3D/4D ultrasound is now available. Though I doubt if you can get it in the Philippines. Hmmm... plan a trip to Europe, perhaps?

Here's a comparison of 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound images.

(Amazing how a simple phone call to my friend brought me to this world of ge lai, dry shampoo and 3D/4D ultrasound.)

[ First posted on 05/16/2002 by Manuel Viloria ]