Strange pregnancy traditions

Mother, father and the rest of the family want the pregnancy to pass fine and a healthy baby to be born. As in many other things in life numerous traditions have been created. They often have nothing to do with medicine. They are usually prejudices that became part of local culture.

In China there is a belief that for the pregnancy to be successful the husband should carry his wife over burning coal when entering the house. For the Chinese reading of good literature during pregnancy has positive effect on the unborn child. On the other side it is very bad for the pregnant woman to gossip or laugh loudly.

They also believe that even the way food eaten by the pregnant woman looks has influence to the appearance of the baby. The woman expecting a baby should never go to the funeral. There is a belief that no construction work should be done in the house where there is a pregnant woman. On the other side to scare off the evil spirits knifes could be put under the bed where the pregnant woman sleeps.

The Chinese also have something what is called "tsue shen" (hastening delivery). It is a package of clothes sent by maternal grandmother to her daughter about one month before it is expected the baby to be born. The white cloth inside the package is used to wrap the newborn baby.

To somehow ease the pain of labor Chinese women often drink special herbal potion. In China women often give birth to their child in an armchair or futon. After the baby is born woman make ritual offering of sweet meat and incense to the goddess who helped her to conceive.

The period immediately after the baby is born is called the "sitting month". Chinese woman says that she is "doing the month". During this period the woman stays at home and usually her mother-in-law helps her.

There is a traditional belief that due to blood loss during the birth of the baby woman is in "cold phase". That is why she should stay in warm place. Living in this phase also includes avoiding cold or raw food.

People in Japan believe that pregnant woman should not eat spicy or salty food. Eating of raw fish is also forbidden. The Japanese also believe that to avoid the birthmarks on baby's body the pregnant woman should never look at fire.

Being quiet during birth of the baby is expected. Not being so is a sign of embarrassment. Women are told not take any medicine to ease the pain of labor.

In Mongolia it is believed that when meeting two pregnant women should not touch each other. Locals believe that baby's sex can be changed that way. Until the child is 3 months or in some cases even over 1 year old people do not directly mention his or her sex. There is a belief that by doing so people will confuse evil spirits.

The Akamba people of Kenya believe that a pregnant woman should not see a body of deceased because spirit of the dead can endanger pregnancy. Sex during pregnancy is not allowed as it may result in the birth of a disabled child.

pregnant woman

In Jamaica it is said that if a woman drinks lot of milk during pregnancy her child is going to have lighter complexion. There is popular local belief about oranges. Yearning for oranges and then not eating them results in the orange-shaped birth mark on babies.

Mexicans have the same belief but it includes strawberries. In Mexico there is also an ancient belief of Aztec origin. For a pregnant woman an eclipse is very dangerous because her baby could have a cleft lip. To protect herself woman should carry a key or safety pin.

People in Latvia still have some ancient beliefs concerning pregnancy and giving birth. Local women pray to goddess Mara or Mary who is believed to control the human body and influences the labor. Presents are offered to her even before the woman gets pregnant. There is one more goddess. Her name is Lamia. It is believed that she decides the fate of the baby.

In Russia people used to believe that childbirth would be easy if the woman and her husband tell names of all of their previous lovers. So, as you see, it is good to be honest.

Having an easy birth of the first baby is a wish of every pregnant woman. Woman in Malta prays for lot of rain on her wedding day. It is believed that if this happens the birth will be an easy one.