Superstitious belief or Superstitions is a belief that is not based on scientific knowledge and reasoning.

According to Wikipedia, it is a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation or an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition.

Most Filipinos believe in superstitions, we called it "Pamahiin" in Tagalog. There are lots of superstitious beliefs that spread throughout the Philippines. Some may sound so serious while some sound funny and silly. Others may consider it so "old school". But admit it, if you're a Filipino, even people nowadays, still hold on and believe in these Pinoy superstitions.

In some activities or even a single action that we do daily, there's a certain belief that we Filipinos are considering before doing it. There's a belief about lucky charms, the belief that is something magical and mysterious. And of course, beliefs during pregnancy can't escape from Pinoys.

I still remembered during my pregnancies, I was instructed to do something unusual and some forbid me to do some things that I usually do in my day-to-day life.

Let me share with you the superstitions during pregnancy that you can hear and know, only in the Philippines.

Pinoy Superstitions during Pregnancy

Do not look or stare at ugly people

This is the first superstition that I was told to do. I must stop mingling with ugly people or kids or else my child will be born ugly too. It was so silly, I just laughed every time someone will tell me about this.

The truth is, the genes of the parents are responsible for how your child will look when born.

Avoid wearing a necklace, sling bags, or wrapped around a towel on your neck

I'm a person who loves to wear a necklace and sling bag whenever I go. I was once told by an elder person to stop using those because it will cause the umbilical cord to wrap around my baby’s neck.

This belief clearly has no scientific basis, it is actually possible for the umbilical cord to wrap around a baby's neck inside the womb particularly in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. It is caused by the baby’s own movements in the womb.

Eating " twin bananas" will give you a higher chance to have twins

Some people look at twins as lucky charms in the family. Some family members offer twin bananas or conjoined bananas to a pregnant family member, they believe that this kind of food gives higher chances to conceive twins. Some restricting a pregnant woman to take this conjoined bananas to avoid having twins.

But these are just false beliefs, when a sperm fertilizes an egg to form an embryo, a conception happens. However, if there are two eggs present in the womb at the time of fertilization or the fertilized egg splits into two separate embryos, a woman can become pregnant with twins. That's how twins are conceived. And of course, you will only know if you'll be having twins through an ultrasound.

Avoid sitting down on stairs, it causes difficulties in delivery

This is very common in my province. Pregnant women are advised not to sit down on the stairs. People believe that it may cause difficulties in the mother during labor. The same belief goes with you or your visitors hanging out near or in the door.

Scientifically, labor difficulties can happen if the baby is too large, the birthing canal is too small, or the woman's pelvis is too small, causing the delivery can take longer or fail to progress. Carrying multiples may also lead to prolonged labor, as might weak uterine contractions, or an incorrect position of the baby.

Do not attend a funeral or you might lose your baby

When a pregnant woman attends a funeral, it is believed that it may result in a tendency of miscarriage, because the soul of the deceased will bring the unborn child with them. If it is unavoidable, and you really need to attend, you must tie a red handkerchief in your tummy to protect your child from the illness of the deceased and or unseen elements.

But this has no scientific and medical basis, just a pure superstitious belief. Miscarriage happens when an embryo or fetus dies before the 20th week of pregnancy. Miscarriage usually occurs early in pregnancy - 8 out of 10 miscarriages happen in the first 3 months.

Avoid taking a bath or go outside at night

Elders believe that this will inflict harm to the baby inside the womb. They believe that if you take a bath or go outside at night, the baby will get cold inside your womb.

But it is not true, the amniotic fluid is responsible for balancing the temperature inside the womb. It's fine to take baths while you're pregnant even at night, as long as the water isn't too hot. Avoid soaking in water that's hot enough to raise your body temperature higher than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 10 minutes.

Always listen to music to make your baby a future genius or musician

Elder people often told pregnant women to listen to music. They believe that listening to music can make their unborn child be musically inclined and will turned out smarter as they grow.

But it was opposed by some medical experts, however, listening to music can boost the mood of the mother where she felt sudden changes especially in her emotions due to hormones.

Step over your spouse so he will be the one to crave

This is one of the most popular superstitions during pregnancy. It is believed that if you step over your spouse, your pregnancy cravings and morning sickness will be passed to him.

Although this belief has no scientific basis, a man could certainly get the symptoms of pregnancy while his wife is pregnant. Sympathetic pregnancy or couvade syndrome describes a situation in which otherwise healthy men whose partners are expecting babies, experience pregnancy-related symptoms, including weight gain, altered hormone levels, morning nausea, and disturbed sleep patterns. Research reveals that this is a common occurrence, with around 90% of dads-to-be to experience one or more symptoms.

You must eat plenty, for you are eating for two

Most pregnant women were advised to eat plenty for they have to eat for themselves and for their babies inside the womb.

But it is important to be cautious especially about the food you take if you're pregnant. You must be mindful of your weight to avoid gestational diabetes and high blood pressure or other pregnancy complications.

Sprinkle salt and garlic every night throughout your bedroom

Filipinos are rich in folkloric creatures, one of the famous folkloric creatures in the Philippines is the "Aswang".

Aswang is a Philippine folklore creature similar to the vampires and ghouls of western mythology.

Aswang is believed to attack at night, and wants the unborn child for his meal. It is believed that this creature hates salt and garlic, that's why salt and garlic are sprinkled in every corner of the room to protect the pregnant woman from the said creature.

You must not cut your hair during

pregnancy or you might end up bald

Pregnant women were advised not to cut their hair because it might cause them to be bald after giving birth.

This belief is somehow, derived from postpartum hair loss. Postpartum hair loss is very common after giving birth. Cutting your hair during pregnancy has nothing to do with that occurrence.

These are just examples of Superstitions during pregnancy you can hear and learn only in the Philippines.

As what the old folks say, "there's nothing to lose if you follow these beliefs."

Still, it depends on your own understanding and principles in life if you want to follow it or not. What's important is that you take care of your pregnancy and prepare yourself for the arrival of your little one. And most of all, do your regular monthly check-ups with your trusted OB to check the progress and growth of your expected child.

I hope you have a great time reading this.

What do you think about these Pinoy Superstitions?

To my fellow Filipino readers, do you have some superstitions to add-in? Feel free to comment on some superstitions during pregnancy that you know in the comments section below.

All Images from Pixabay & Unsplash

Keep in touch!

Your friend @eommaZel ✍🏻🥀