Various kinds of unique traditions of pregnant women from abroad & bull; hello healthy

Every pregnancy is a unique event, and so are the customs and ceremonies that follow. However, every custom and tradition still has one goal in common: to ensure the safety of mother and child, and ease of birth - no matter how strange it might make you scratch your head.

Here we take a look at some interesting pregnancy habits from different parts of the world. (Note: Not everyone from this culture has always adhered to this belief.)

Pregnancy traditions from around the world

Indonesia

Talking about Indonesia, it is closely related to the tradition of "seventh month", the celebration of a mother's womb which reaches the seventh month. However, in different places, different ways of celebrating it. In Java, for example, there is a Tingkeban ceremony that is thick with the number 7 (7 close relatives who bathe the mother, 7 splashes with 7 forms of flower water, 7 cloths covering the mother's body while bathing with different motifs, and 7 kinds of fruit served as salad). In the seventh splash, an eel will be inserted which will slide over the mother's stomach, indicating that the baby's birth can run smoothly (slippery like an eel).

The “N Tujuhbulanan” in Bali is called the Magedong-gedongan ceremony. This ceremony is carried out when the baby is 5-6 months old in Bali (approximately six months, in the Gregorian calendar) to purify the fetus in the womb, so that a child will be born with Suputra - the position of the baby in the womb is not aborted and so that he is born as a virtuous child.. The ceremony also provides offerings consisting of Kumbang leaves, catfish, nyalian fish, eels, carpel fish, tumbak tiing, and clay paso. Pregnant women in Bali also refrain from consuming octopus, because octopus is considered to make childbirth difficult.

In Papua, pregnant women will undergo ritual isolation from society. This ritual is based on the assumption that the blood that a woman releases during menstruation or during childbirth (childbirth) is blood that brings bad things to the surrounding environment. Activities of pregnant women such as eating, cooking, bathing, and sleeping during the last 2-3 weeks leading up to childbirth will be carried out alone in the middle of the jungle or on the beach. Did you know that these kinds of traditions are still common in Pakistan and Nigeria?

Japan

Japanese people believe that pregnant women should not eat salty or spicy food. In addition, pregnant women in Japan are also not allowed to see fire to avoid the appearance of birthmarks on their babies later. During pregnancy, mothers often receive gifts of shirasu , small white fish that are high in calcium to meet their calcium needs. The daily diet of pregnant women in Japan almost always includes shirasu, rice, miso soup, and nori (seaweed). Pregnant women in Japan are also advised to always think positively, see positive images, and listen to music for the good of the development of the fetus in their womb.

During labor, pregnant women are expected to be as calm as possible. Screaming in pain or complaining during the process is a sign of shame about being a new mother. There is a traditional Japanese belief that the pain of childbirth helps prepare a woman to be a good mother, so the pain of childbirth should be borne in the heart.

After giving birth, there is a ritual called Ansei for new mothers. New mothers are asked to rest completely at their parents' house, three to four weeks after delivery. This break time is intended as a moment of peace (ansei), where the new mother will be spoiled by her family and close relatives and prohibited from doing housework so that she can devote all of her time to fully recovering and caring for her baby. Relatives and extended family are not allowed to see the baby or bestow gift money on the new parents until the mother and baby have had enough time to come together and fully recover.

China

In China there is a belief that after marriage, the husband should carry his wife and walk on a coal flame when entering the house to ensure that she can give birth without any problems later. Then when the wife became pregnant, she faced a number of unusual and surprising prohibitions.

During pregnancy, the mother's mind and body greatly influence the personality and nature of the fetus. For this reason, Chinese women are asked to control their thoughts and actions; avoid gossiping, laughing loudly, anger, and strenuous physical labor. He is also not allowed to have sex, see clashing colors, and not attend funerals. There is a belief that no construction work should be done in a pregnant woman's home. Giving gifts before birth is also considered bad luck in Chinese culture.

The Chinese also believe that what a pregnant woman eats and the diet of a pregnant woman has an influence on the appearance of the baby. Mothers are required to eat only light or pale colored foods, to make the baby's skin bright. Reading good literature during pregnancy is believed to have a positive effect on the fetus. On the other hand, to ward off evil spirits several knives had to be put under the mattress of the pregnant woman's bed.

Just like in Japan, new postpartum mothers are required to take a complete month's rest and “skip” from all home work to provide recovery time for themselves and the baby, while all daily work is done by their immediate family. Some women are prohibited from getting wet (even brushing their teeth or washing their hair), going outside, eating raw vegetables, or drinking cold drinks.

South Korea

Japan, China and South Korea - these three neighboring countries have similar cultural roots, which are also reflected in the celebrations surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.

Koreans believe that the thoughts and experiences of pregnant women have a direct effect on the baby, so they need to see as much beauty as possible, and feel as many positive things as possible - the more beauty and beauty you "digest", the more beautiful your baby will be.. This belief is held so firmly that they avoid eating any "fragile" food, such as cookies or biscuits, for fear of making their babies sick, and they do not eat ducks, for fear that their young will have webbed feet.

South Korean society also places steadfastness, and women are expected to endure the pain of childbirth and not express their grievances. Instead of pain medication, they tend to use alternative methods such as aromatherapy, accupressure , and music to reduce both pain and anxiety about the birthing process. Most women are also forced to receive an episiotomy, because they don't know they can ask their doctor not to do it.

After birth, Korean new mothers have a “holiday” period called San-ho-Jori, usually at their home or at their mother's house. For 21 days they eat, sleep and their housework will be done while relatives are present to serve all other needs. While the old tradition of preventing women from "brushing" or touching water (not showering or brushing their teeth) is no longer common, they are still not allowed in air-conditioned rooms, no matter how hot the weather is.

Bangladesh

Pregnancy is not officially declared in Bangladesh until the seventh month of pregnancy to avoid some kind of malicious intent from those around her, because at this age the baby is strong and will survive if the mother gives birth early. Pregnant women should wear clothes that cover their "potbelly" to avoid the evil intentions of others, as well as avoid sitting or sleeping in the corner of the room for fear that they will be caught by the "evil eye" (Chokh / nojor fight).

In addition, if your skin looks brighter and brighter during pregnancy, you are believed to be carrying a baby girl, whereas if you have dark circles under your eyes, you are considered to have a boy. Some foods are also often taboo for consumption by pregnant women, such as - tea leaves or cha (too much caffeine) and pineapple which is thought to trigger premature contractions (a similar belief in other cultures).

After giving birth, family members advise new mothers not to leave the house for 40 days, as protection from negative auras.

Turkey

For early clues to the gender of the baby, pregnant women in Turkey will choose to sit on one side of the sofa: one with a knife under the pillow and scissors on the other. If she sits on a sofa cushion filled with scissors, it's a girl; if he sits on the knife, it is a son. Cravings are also believed to indicate the gender of the baby: a pregnant woman craving sweets / something sweet is thought to have a boy, while craving for sour food indicates a girl. Eating lots of red meat will produce boys; eat lots of vegetables, women. If a pregnant woman eats eggs, the baby will be naughty. Meanwhile, unfulfilled certain food cravings can result in birthmarks in the baby in the form of these foods.

Pregnant Turkish women should avoid walking barefoot to avoid infertility, miscarriage and passing gas. This is done mainly because almost every disease in Turkey is related to cold air, and this means that many Turks will not use the air conditioner in the summer, and wrap their babies even on the hottest days. After birth, the mother's body temperature must be kept warm while breastfeeding, because cold breast milk will cause stomach upset.

Turkish belief says that if a pregnant woman smells food, she must taste it. In theory, restaurant waiters might chase pregnant women down the street with food samples to avoid bad luck. In addition, according to Turkish custom, pregnant women should see things that are beautiful and good, for fear that the baby may take on the negative characteristics of an ugly, disabled, or dead person. Pregnant women are also prohibited from seeing bears, monkeys or camels to escape bad luck.

Mexico

Mexican beliefs believe that a pregnant woman's body will crave a specific food needed for a healthy baby's growth, and that unfulfilled cravings can lead to birth defects.

They also think that drinking milk will make the baby grow bigger, and drinking chamomile tea will help in having a smooth delivery process. Mexicans also believe in a number of superstitions such as: observing a lunar eclipse will cause the baby to have a cleft lip (the same belief exists in Uganda, you know!), Or that the baby may resemble a certain fruit if the mother has a craving for it. Pregnant women in Mexico are also urged to only bathe in water - warm water that is too hot is thought to cause circulatory problems, and water that is too cold can stiffen the pelvis and lead to long, hard births.

During birth, all doors and windows are tightly closed to protect the mother and baby from evil forces that can penetrate this intimate and vulnerable process.

Many Latin American countries also follow the quarantine tradition, 'La Cuarentena,' which means mothers are required to have six weeks of complete rest after childbirth and eat a healthy diet, to allow the body to recover from stress, trauma, and physical exhaustion during pregnancy and labor. Sex, certain foods, and any kind of aggravating activity are strictly prohibited.

Portugal

In Portugal there is a belief that pets like cats or dogs should be kept away from pregnant women. This is done to prevent the baby from being born hairy.

People in Portugal also believe that if a pregnant woman wants to give birth to a baby girl, she must eat round fruits and vegetables. If she wants to have a baby boy then she has to eat long vegetables, such as carrots or cucumbers. After the baby is born, if he cries excessively, it is believed that he has stomach problems or “Verado Bucho”. To overcome this, the baby will be taken to a local doctor to be treated with oil and a prayer, meant to stop the pain in the stomach.

India

In the traditional Indian belief system, a pregnant woman is considered 'hot. During pregnancy she should avoid eating hot foods and eat more "cold foods" to achieve a balanced body temperature. "Hot foods" include some fruits such as bananas, papayas and coconuts, meat, fish, chicken, potatoes, red peppers and okra. 'Cold foods' include dairy products (yogurt and buttermilk, in particular), vegetables, and other fruits.

The common thread in India is to bless the mother and wish the mother and baby well-being, bringing all kinds of blessings and gifts - money, clothes or even jewelery - a kind of "baby shower", but all the gifts are for the mother. A Hindu belief says that the numbers seven and nine are lucky in pregnancy, while the number eight is not. Hence why the seventh or ninth month of pregnancy is the best time to have a baby shower. Also, according to Indian tradition, it is considered bad luck to give clothes or other items to a baby before birth (perhaps because in the past, a high percentage of babies died in childbirth).

After giving birth, women are considered to be in a "cold" state, and for now, they will be encouraged to eat "hot food" to restore balance to body temperature. Eating ‘cold food’ after delivery is believed to cause a wide variety of complaints, including digestive problems and diarrhea in infants.

When the baby is born, he will be dressed in old clothes given from several other family members. The fabrics of “heritage” clothing are thought to have softness to the baby's skin and give an aura and positive family values ​​that can be passed on to the baby.