A pregnant father!

A student of mine came to his class all excited. I request from the participants at the start of each class, to tell me something that has happened to them during the past week.

He was eagerly awaiting his turn to tell us of his trip that week. The outing was not what you may imagine, that of going sightseeing or a visit to a restaurant, his was an ante-natal class at the hospital that he and his
wife had chosen for the birth of their baby.

He admitted that he had gone along reluctantly, but now was saddened that this was a one time occurence. For the class was not what we would expect from such a meeting, teaching the father as to how to behave during the labor of his wife, as she gives birth to their child. No tips on how to rub her back, mop her brow or allow his hand to be squeezed in a grip like a vice. But instead, a father was given a large, heavy, bean bag pillow, to place under his jumper and proceed to climb stairs, get in and out of bed, bend down and pick things up from the floor, try to slip his shoes on plus a host of other daily chores.

At the end, he told all the other awaiting fathers, how he had now only the
upmost respect for his wife and what she has to go through to produce their child. (My comment here was how lucky he was that she, the doctor, did not ask him to demonstrate the pain of childbirth!).

It is strange to me, that this country, that in some things appear to be still in the dark ages, as to the question of whether to wear nappies or not, but can on the other hand, take the time to educate the fathers as to how the wife feels in the latter stages of her pregnancy.

This week the Chinese government, produced and delivered to all citizens, two books on the importance of good health and nutrition. In these books they offer tips for the long term plan, comparing it to ones career, that to live a long and healthy life, has to be begun young.

Fresh fruit and veggies were a must, even with recipes on how to eat them as most of the people are used to just boiling them in soup! A spoon was provided together with the books for the exact measurement of salt, including soya. This my students found funny, as they have never measured the amount that they use, choosing to just pour freely according to taste. 'What is life without a heapful of salt' is there motto.

Three glasses of beer is allowed daily, or one glass of red wine. This caused me to put my tongue in cheek, for today I have red about the increase in wine consumption amongst the Chinese, so I wasn't sure what
was being promoted here, the beer or the wine. To date at the end of 2007,658 million bottles of wine was drunk, in addition to another 494 million glasses of wine too. The expected amount for 2011 is 1.1 billion bottles and a mere 828 million glasses.

Who says that the Chinese are behind the times?
To help their health drive, free gyms appear at strategic spots, where all can come and use the free equipment, but there is only one drawback, they are out on the sidewalk and you have to be willing to be dressed in
unprovocative attire and give free entertainment to all the passers by, whilst you sweat and work out freely.

Lastly, the athletes that will be participation in the forthcoming games, from China, are treated to a healthy mind as well as body, as they train
relentlessly for success and medals. A psychology website is available both to participant and coach to ensure a healthy mental and physical physique.

Being close to home and the support of their families is also expected to
improve performance and the coach is looked upon as family member, mentor and friend. It should be a great show. Tune in, I guarantee you that I shall.