Ha, Crystal, saw your thread, your mil hse sure have many pple. Mine is not so bad, only one old jealous SIL (but she really dote on my elder son) who is like a plump princess of the family.
My first confinement, I insisted to do it back at my mum's place as MIL hse very small (small 4room flat, with six adults. She couldn't help me). My mum and aunt/ grandma took turn take care of me. PIL came to visit and MIL even said she offered to engage CL to do at her hse, but I didn't want to (hello, i never get to hear this from her, what is she toking about?) Well, everything went smoothly, except I more backached and C-section wound not heal properly. So this time round, told hubby, i going to do it at our own hse and engage a CL to properly take care of me. MIL still not sure want to help me take care of the 2nd baby or not.
As for herbal soup, ah, that time, it was real bad, but then, I thought, I preggie, not her. If she preggie, sure can drink everyday one. Not like me, only once during preggie time. So, I normally went back to my mum's hse have herbal soups (my inlaws do not like me to cook stuff in their kitchen when I was staying there). I do not rely on her lar, no point. Just share that horrid experience. I will take your advise, go get the packs to cook at home like normal soup for whole family to drink, heehee. Also, will cook more birdnest share with my hubby and son during 2nd trimster. Aiya, now tok about birdnest, drooling liao lor.