Filipino Superstitious Beliefs: What I learned while I am pregnant
When we say Filipino, one of the many definitions would be superstitious. We have our own sets of superstitions or the Pamahiin inherited from our ancestors. Yes, some of them influence us in so many ways and for so many years. And while there are hundreds and thousands of superstitious beliefs, I would like to share to you some of the craziest, which may be true to some, pregnancy superstitions:
1. Visitors are not allowed to stand on the door
When there is a pregnant woman inside the house, visitors are not allowed to stand too long on the door because it will give her difficulty in delivery.
I personally don’t know and still trying to figure out how standing on the door would affect my delivery. My mother-in-law would always tell our visitors not to stay nor stand too long on the doorway but when we asked her why... she would occasionally say, “Ewan ko din, basta sabi lang ng matatanda” Then due to respect, our visitors follow it. Hahaha!
2. Pregnant women are not allowed to go near nor to look inside the coffin
During wakes and funerals, pregnant women are not allowed to go nor to look inside the coffin because again... she will have a hard time delivering her baby.
Yes, this is actually one of the most popular pregnancy superstition. Maybe because going to wake or looking inside the coffin can be emotionally stressful to pregnant woman. Perhaps the intention on this is to avoid undue stress. Well for me it’s a personal decision and I, myself, went to my Aunt’s wake since I personally do not believe on this. But I totally respect others who follows this matter.
3. Appearance can determine if it is a boy or girl
If the mom-to-be is experiencing darkening on some of her body parts, then she is carrying a baby boy. And if the mom-to-be is blooming, then most likely, she is carrying a baby girl.
But here's my case: When I entered second trimester, I noticed some changes in my body. My nape, neck and underarms darkened in an extreme way! As in OMG! My underarm started to change its color from medium gray then now to almost charcoal-like. Haha! My navel sagged and is still getting darker and darker. Bonus change: my areolas and nipples are most likely eating up my whole breast!!! Waaaahh! This is no joke, most mom experienced this on their journey but as what I have observed and researched, darkening on some areas is due to increased hormones causing our skin pigmentation.
But hey mommies, I will give birth to a baby girl despite all those "baby boy" signs!
But hey mommies, I will give birth to a baby girl despite all those "baby boy" signs!
4. Stepping over on your husband while he is asleep
Haha! This is a wishful thinking of all the pregnant women out there! They say that if you hopped-in over your husband while he's asleep, then he will be the one to experience all the pregnancy discomfort or what we called “Paglilihi”.
5. The twin theory
Pregnant women who eat twin bananas during her pregnancy will give birth to twins.
I could recall when I got a chance to see twin bananas in our Province, I giggled to my delight because that was the first time I saw a banana like that in person! Magkadikit! Then my father caught me peeling and eating it and warned me that I could get pregnant to a twins. I was nervous back then and believed that I will have a twin after eating that banana. Hahahaha! But then, having a twin is genetic or what we called "runs to family blood". Well scientifically, bananas are rich in nutrients such as Potassium, folic, zinc, and other vitamins so I think eating twin bananas will get me more nutrients for my baby! Lastly, I don’t mind now having twins.
I could recall when I got a chance to see twin bananas in our Province, I giggled to my delight because that was the first time I saw a banana like that in person! Magkadikit! Then my father caught me peeling and eating it and warned me that I could get pregnant to a twins. I was nervous back then and believed that I will have a twin after eating that banana. Hahahaha! But then, having a twin is genetic or what we called "runs to family blood". Well scientifically, bananas are rich in nutrients such as Potassium, folic, zinc, and other vitamins so I think eating twin bananas will get me more nutrients for my baby! Lastly, I don’t mind now having twins.
6. Avoid looking to unattractive people or watch horror movies
Simply, because the baby might turned to look like them...
Even before I got pregnant, my mother would have always told me not to watch horror films – which is by the way my favorite genre even though I'm such a coward. Then now that I got pregnant she would constantly remind me to not watch these kind of movies as my baby might inherit the mamaws’ (ghost) appearance. But in my own opinion, pregnant women should try to stay away from these kind of movies to avoid stressing themselves while watching or perhaps avoid elevation of our blood pressure since these kind of movies tends to surprise/shock us. And also, to avoid unnecessary thoughts when caught alone such as Valak would show out from the dark to scare you. Haha. That thought can be pretty stressful to baby, I guess.
7. Instant sleeping pill
Eating leftover food of a pregnant woman will make you sleepy.
I don't believe it and my point here is, any person who would eat plenty will definitely feel sleepy whether it is from a pregnant woman or not. Its human nature, I guess?
8. Pointed vs Round tummy
Another belief on determining the baby's gender is based on the shape of the woman's stomach. If it is a pointed tummy then she is having a baby boy. If it is a round one expect a baby girl.
I personally didn’t understand how it was the case but most of the time, it’s true! Well, based on my
observation and personal experience with our Amara. Yup, a round tummy here!
9. The complexion of your baby based on food intake
The color of the food you eat will determine the skin color of your baby.
This may sound funny and somewhat racist at the same time. But hey! It's 2018 already and eating dark colored food will definitely not affect the complexion of our babies. It's in our genes!!!
10. The grumpy baby
Avoid stress or being unhappy during pregnancy or else the baby will grow unhappy too.
Technically being unhappy or if you indulge yourself too much on stress and depression will totally have an impact on the baby. Crying sometimes will not hurt the baby but if you are experiencing depression, anxiety or extreme stress then you have to seek help. Going back to this belief, I think that this superstition might be true but it is manageable based on how you raised your kid.
These are just some of the most common beliefs regarding pregnancy. It has been a norm to Filipinos to follow them and I am not against it. However, I do not follow all of them. Instead, I put limits to what I follow and assess why I should do them. Regardless, I'm happy to hear that in this millennial time our Pamahiin is still around and being follow. It just shows that the Filipino culture is still here, alive.
These are just some of the most common beliefs regarding pregnancy. It has been a norm to Filipinos to follow them and I am not against it. However, I do not follow all of them. Instead, I put limits to what I follow and assess why I should do them. Regardless, I'm happy to hear that in this millennial time our Pamahiin is still around and being follow. It just shows that the Filipino culture is still here, alive.
