PREGNANCY BELIEFS – Here are some of the popular superstitions about pregnancy in the Philippines that many Filipinos believe.
Pregnancy is a natural process where a woman’s body carries and nurtures a developing baby in her uterus. It begins when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg during sexual intercourse. The fertilized egg, now called a zygote, then travels down the fallopian tube and implants itself into the lining of the uterus.
Pregnancy comes with different experiences for each woman, including physical changes, hormonal fluctuations, and emotional adjustments. Regular prenatal check-ups with healthcare providers are essential to monitor the health of both the mother and the developing baby.
The journey culminates in childbirth, where the baby is born, marking the beginning of parenthood. Pregnancy is a unique and beautiful experience that brings families together and introduces new life into the world.
In the Philippines, the journey of pregnancy is often accompanied by a lot of beliefs and traditions passed down through generations. While some may chuckle at these age-old sayings, others take them to heart, torn between cultural wisdom and modern medical advice.
Here are some pregnancy beliefs:
- Pregnant women should refrain from drinking cold water to prevent complications, such as the baby developing diabetes.
- Taking photos during pregnancy may lead to difficult labor
- Cravings for specific foods can indicate the baby’s appearance or characteristics.
- Physically engaging with the spouse during pregnancy affects the ease of labor
- Consuming leftover food during pregnancy causes drowsiness.
- Eating paired fruits like bananas together may result in giving birth to twins.
- Pregnant women are often advised to steer clear of foods deemed “malas,” or unlucky, such as bitter gourd, as they are thought to impart negative energy to the developing baby.
- Many Filipinos believe that the moon’s phases can influence a child’s gender. The belief suggests that conceiving during a specific lunar phase may lead to either a boy or a girl.
- Traditional Filipino families often seek blessings from elders, especially grandparents, during pregnancy.
- Some pregnant women wear protective amulets, commonly known as “anting-anting,” to safeguard themselves and their babies from supernatural entities believed to bring harm during pregnancy.