Chapter 363 - 0363 Wang Jiao Gives Birth 3_1
The Zhangs were already prepared for the birth, with hot water, scissors, straw mats, and baby clothes and blankets ready at hand.
Yes, Feng Qingxue was giving birth on the bed, whereas others, including Wang Jiao, were giving birth on the ground.
The ground was thickly covered with straw and topped with thick straw mats. Under Wang Jiao, there were a few old clothes patched together to form bed sheets, which was already considered quite good amongst the birthing group. Most people directly give birth in piles of straw, reflecting the ancient saying, ’falling into the grass’!
’Falling into the grass’ has two meanings, one refers to becoming a bandit, and the other means the birth of a baby.
From ancient times till now, most of the poor women gave birth on piles of straw because people generally thought childbirth was quite ominous. The birthing room was often referred to as a ’blood room’ and men were not allowed to enter to avoid bad luck.
"Oh, oh, Xiaoxue you’re here! Quickly help me deliver this baby!"
Wang Jiao was lying on the straw mat, screaming and shouting, her face contorted with pain.
She had eaten well during her pregnancy, never missing a meal, and was not fond of working. Zhang Yuejin pampered her, and the Zhang’s felt they couldn’t control her. No matter how much Feng Qingxue advised her to exercise more for an easier childbirth, she continued her old ways. Hence, she was significantly chubbier than Feng Qingxue had been during her pregnancy — her once oval face turned round, her double chin was prominent, there was a thick layer of fat on her waist and back, but her belly didn’t seem that big.
During Feng Qingxue’s pregnancy, she hardly gained any weight but her stomach was huge, looking shaky and scary.