Pregnancy superstition can vary across cultures, but within most societies, new mamas are eager (or terrified!) to share their own pregnancy beliefs. Curious about the wackiest pregnancy superstitions? Here are just a few:
Wacky Superstitions About Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of joy but can also be a time of worry. Some people believe that doing something wrong during pregnancy will affect your child later in life. However, most of these beliefs are not true at all and are just a myth.
Here are some common superstitions about pregnancy:
- Don’t paint the nursery before your baby comes.
- Don’t tell people your pregnancy news until after the first trimester.
- Avoid mini golf courses and amusement parks while you’re pregnant.
- Avoid sitting in empty or full-length mirrors.
- The expectant woman should not sit down, lie down for a long time, or look up to the sun because it can significantly harm the fetus (this has more science into it than supernatural forces)
- It is also forbidden to look at the moon – it is believed to bring bad luck to the baby.
- Do not forget about the so-called “evil eye”. The woman should avoid contact with people who are jealous of her happiness and those who want to harm her baby.
- If you put your hand on a pregnant woman’s belly, the baby will kick you.
- If you wear high heels during pregnancy, the baby will be born with flat feet.
- The woman is pregnant with a female child if she usually listens to music and sings.
Pregnant woman listening to music
Pregnancy Superstition About Food
You might have heard some pregnancy superstitions about food. Some people say that you should avoid eating certain foods while pregnant, and some say that they can help you by eating them. It is important to know what is true and what is false. Here are some of the most common pregnancy superstitions about food:
- Eating sushi will give your baby girl a hairy tongue!
- The baby will have a small head if you eat bitter melon during pregnancy.
- If you eat a lot of fish while pregnant, the baby will come out with scales.
- Pregnant women should avoid eating eggplant because it is believed to make the baby look like one!
- If a pregnant woman overeats meat, her baby will be born with a tail!
- If a pregnant woman overeats salt, she will give birth to twins!
- A pregnant woman should avoid eating any kind of fish because there is mercury in it, which could harm her unborn baby boy!
- A pregnant woman is supposed to eat spicy food and stay away from sweets. It is said that the spicier the food, the more chance for a boy. If a woman eats a lot of sweets during her pregnancy, she will have a girl.
While the food you eat while pregnant can definitely affect your unborn baby, you have to worry less about myths and focus on making sure your baby gets the nutrients that he needs and avoid food that may harm them. Moreover, what you eat does not, in any way, have an effect on the gender of your baby.
Pregnancy Superstition About Animals
One of the most commonly known pregnancy superstitions is that of the pregnant woman and the cat. The idea behind this pregnancy superstition is that if a cat crosses your path, you should spit in your hand with your palm facing up. If you then make a wish for the baby’s health and hold the spit in your hand until it dries, your wish will come true.
Let’s look at some of the most common pregnancy superstitions about animals.
- If a cat jumps on you or rubs against your ankles, you’re pregnant.
- A bird flying into your house means someone in your family is expecting their first child.
- A dog licking your face means you’ll have twins!
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, feel free to be around your pets during pregnancy. A warning though: let someone else handle cleaning up their waste as the bacteria present there may be harmful to you.
Image Source: iStock
Why Do I See Things While Pregnant?
One of the pregnancy superstitions mostly believed is that pregnant women can see things beyond what is normal.
You’ve probably heard this before: pregnancy makes you see things. And it’s true! But what does that mean?
When you’re pregnant, your hormones change, and your body works hard to ensure everything goes smoothly. That means there’s a lot of pressure on your eyes, which might cause them to “see” things that aren’t there.
You may notice these visual disturbances happening during the first trimester because that’s when most women start seeing spots or floating black dots in their field of vision. This side effect usually gets better after the first trimester is over, but some people still experience it throughout their pregnancy—or even after delivery.
So why do these symptoms happen? Your eye muscles are under a lot of strain, so they start contracting involuntarily—which means they sometimes send false signals to your brain about what you’re seeing. This can cause some pretty wild visual distortions!
If this happens to you while you’re pregnant, don’t worry: your vision will return to normal once everything settles down after delivery (or even before). But if you’re still bothered, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about it.
What Are the Symbols of Pregnancy?
As you’re getting ready to welcome your new baby into the world, you may wonder about pregnancy symbols. Symbolism is an important part of pregnancy and childbirth, so let’s look at some of the most common symbols used in this time. It’s very much part of pregnancy superstition too.
The Moon
The moon is a symbol that represents fertility and rebirth. It is also associated with motherhood. Women who are expecting often look at the moon when they want to feel close to their babies. Some women even find comfort in knowing they will soon give birth to a child who will be nourished by the same moon that once helped them grow inside their bodies as fetuses!
The Sun
The sun represents life and vitality, as well as energy and strength. Many pregnant women wear jewellery or clothing that features sun rays or other solar imagery because it reminds them of how strong their bodies are becoming during pregnancy—and how much stronger they’ll be after giving birth!
A Stork or Dove
A stork or dove is often used as a symbol for new beginnings and fresh starts—which is why it makes sense that it would be featured prominently in many cultures’ stories about childbirth! In fact, in some cultures, storks.
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Is It Good Luck to Touch a Pregnant Belly?
Touching a pregnant belly is also included in the many lists of pregnancy superstitions. Is it good luck to touch a pregnant belly? The answer depends on who you ask.
Some people believe touching a pregnant belly is bad luck, while others think it signifies good fortune. Let’s take a look at both sides of the debate.
First, consider why some people feel touching a pregnant belly could bring bad luck. When a woman is pregnant, she often feels vulnerable and exposed, as her body goes through major changes and her mind is consumed with thoughts about what’s to come (and what might go wrong).
So when you touch a pregnant woman’s belly, she may feel like you’re invading her space—therefore bringing bad luck along with your gesture. On top of this, some women may worry that if they let others touch their bellies, they’ll have less control over their bodies when they give birth.
On the other hand, some people believe that touching a pregnant belly brings good luck because it reminds them that theirs is not the only life growing inside them: other lives are being formed and nurtured as well! In addition to reminding us about our interconnectedness as humans and our shared responsibility for future generations’ survival
Chinese Superstition About Pregnancy
The Chinese have a long history of superstitions that are related to pregnancy. One is the belief that moving furniture during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage. This superstition is because pregnant women were believed to be weak, and moving heavy objects would cause them to lose blood and become weaker.
This superstition isn’t strictly limited to China; it’s common throughout Asia. In some South Korean and Japanese places, pregnant women are forbidden from moving heavy objects such as furniture or even cooking their meals. They must rely on their husbands or family members for these tasks instead.
While we don’t subscribe to superstition, we can definitely say that lifting heavy objects is prohibited during pregnancy. So just err on the side of caution and delegate the moving furniture task to someone else.
Another Chinese superstition about pregnancy is that mums-to-be should refrain from rubbing their tummies or else their babies will be spoiled. But what the myth suggests is highly unlikely. In fact, babies only operate based on their needs and don’t know anything about manipulation until they’re about nine months in the outside world.
Touching pregnant belly | Image from Pexels
It wouldn’t hurt to follow or abide by these beliefs, as the elders say. However, as the mum, you need to have the common sense to discern which ones would affect your baby negatively and do away from those. If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, the most reliable person to ask would be your doctor.
Besides, your love and concern towards your unborn child is all they need to feel like the luckiest baby in the planet.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
