Can eating twin bananas can give you twins? Learn the truth about these Filipino pregnancy myths, from the most extreme to the almost believable ones.
In this article, you’ll read:
- Pregnancy myths in the Philippines
- Paglilihi symptoms – do they give to a glimpse of how your baby’s going to be?
- Old wives’ tales about breastfeeding, are they true?
Filipinos are very traditional, superstitious even. This is especially true when it comes to pregnancies and giving birth. What’s not a myth is that being pregnant, heck, being a parent in the Philippines means that people everywhere will be giving you all sorts of advice, tips, and other beliefs and practices – including some that don’t even make the slightest sense.
There are a lot of pamahiin about pregnancy that’s been around way before our parents were even born. However, some of these age-old tips aren’t always accurate, and sometimes they can even be harmful to you and your unborn child. Here are just a few Filipino myths as well as facts about pregnancies and giving birth that you should know about:
Fact or Myth? The truth about these Filipino pregnancy myths
1. Paglilihi and eating
While it’s true that pregnant women have cravings for specific types of food, it doesn’t mean that what they eat has an effect on the baby. There’s simply no scientific basis to back up a connection between the food you eat, and the baby’s appearance, skin color, etc.
One of the most popular Filipino pregnancy myths is that if you eat twin bananas or an egg with two yolks, it will increase your chances of having twins. But science tells us genetics, family history and how the fertilization happened play a big role in conceiving twins. You can learn more about that here.
Sometimes, paglilihi isn’t about food, in some cases, pregnant women become fond of a person, or a celebrity, or even a pet, and they think that it might have an impact on the baby. It’s totally false, as there’s absolutely nothing you can do to change your baby’s appearance, even if you keep staring at the photo of your favorite K-Pop idol!
Not directly related to cravings, but some pregnant women have been told that if you want to avoid the unwanted symptoms of pregnancy (like the sluggish feeling), let your husband eat from your food. Some women believe that it’s their hubbies who get tired and sleepy if they eat food from their pregnant wives’ plate.
But of course, we know that it’s the hormones that cause the feeling of fatigue in pregnant women, and there are no scientific data to back this ridiculous myth.
2. The pregnant woman’s appearance has something to do with the baby’s gender
Before gender reveals and ultrasound were a thing, people assumed the gender of a pregnant woman’s baby by looking at her. According to superstitious belief, dark spots on the nape, neck, groin, face, and armpits are telltale signs that the baby will be a boy. Meanwhile, if the mom-to-be looks more refreshed and “blooming,” she is likely having a girl.
However, there is no scientific data to back this theory, and the occurrence of this happening is probably only a coincidence. In fact, the only accurate way to check the baby’s gender is through an ultrasound.
3. Usog
In the Philippines, whenever a baby gets sick, it’s sometimes blamed on ‘usog’. Usog is similar to an ‘evil eye’ belief that came from the west. This is why visitors to a baby or a pregnant mom should put saliva on their hands, trace a cross on the baby’s forehead, and say pwera usog to counteract the effects.
Not only is this false, but it can also possibly be bad for the child as saliva contains a lot of bacteria that the baby’s immune system might not yet be able to handle.
“There are so many diseases that can be passed on through saliva. That’s why you call it direct contact, because you can get sick by just a simple kiss. Saliva contains a lot of bacteria – good and bad, which is why if your baby is immunocompromised or hasn’t completed his vaccination, he won’t the antibodies to fight the infection,” said Dr. Jennifer Tiglao, a pediatrician from the Makati Medical Center.
The same idea applies to pregnant women, whose immune systems are compromised. What’s the best thing to do to keep your baby healthy and safe? Just follow your doctor’s orders and you’ll have a healthy, and happy baby.
Image from Shutterstock
4. You shouldn’t wear necklaces when you’re pregnant and other pamahiin about labor
According to superstitious belief, wearing a necklace or even just wrapping towels around your neck can cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby’s neck. Of course, there is no factual basis for this.
It is possible for the umbilical cord to wrap around your baby’s neck, which is called nuchal cord coil, but it is caused by the baby’s own movement in the womb and other external factors that has nothing to do with a mom’s choice of accessories.
Moreover, there’s another pamahiin where pregnant women are discouraged from sewing or stepping over ropes to avoid labor difficulties. But like a lot of Filipino pregnancy myths, there is no scientific basis to support this theory.
Different factors can affect the labor situation, which is why it’s very important to show up for your prenatal checkups regularly and stay in touch with your doctor for any problems.
5. You should refrain from having sex during the pregnancy
This is totally false. Unless you’re on bed rest or you have strict orders from your doctor to abstain from strenuous physical activity, it’s absolutely fine to have sex with your husband even if you’re pregnant.
In fact, there’s very little possibility that you can harm your baby if you have sex during pregnancy. It’s also a great way for couples to bond with each other and to get closer. So don’t worry about it too much.
Also, read this for sex positions that are safe and comfortable for pregnant women.
READ MORE:
6. Alcohol should be avoided by pregnant women
While not really a myth, there are some people who say that alcohol is okay for pregnant women.
In reality, it’s actually bad for pregnant women, even if it’s just a small amount of alcohol, as alcohol has a lot of negative effects on your baby. The dangers also extend up to breastfeeding, since if you drink alcohol and you breastfeed, the alcohol will go to the milk that your baby drinks.
This is why if you drink alcohol, it would be best to stop drinking during your pregnancy, as well as when you’re breastfeeding your child.
7. Pregnant women can’t attend funerals
There are different versions of this superstitious belief, which show varying consequences. Some say that attending funerals can cause stillbirth, while another version believes that vengeful spirits will try to take the baby away. A bit too morbid, don’t you think?
Just physically attending a funeral will not cause these things to happen. However, there’s a possibility that a death in your family or of a person close to you can cause emotional stress, which is not good for pregnant women. Numerous studies show that stress can have an adverse effect on a pregnant woman and her baby.
So if you are feeling stressed during your pregnancy, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone for advice on how to deal with your emotions in a safe and healthy manner.
8. You can’t take a bath after giving birth
A very popular myth about giving birth that a lot of Pinay moms subscribe to is not taking a bath for days (for some, even a week). It is believed that taking a bath might cause complications on the mother’s health postpartum or in Filipino, it’s what we call binat.
But there is no scientific data to support this belief. In fact, doctors stress the importance of proper hygiene in pregnant women, especially those who are breastfeeding.
“A lot of patients ask us if it’s okay to take a bath. We tell them that it’s just an old wives’ tale. We advise new moms to take a bath and keep their bodies healthy, especially the breast and nipple area for those who are breastfeeding. Personal hygiene is very important,” said Dr. Maureen Laranang, an OB-Gynecologist from Makati Medical Center.
Feel free to check out our website for different articles about postpartum care.
Image from Shutterstock
9. Malunggay and other soups help your milk production
Now, this one is absolutely true. Soups and liquids really do contribute a lot when it comes to your milk production, so if you’re worried that your milk supply might not be enough for your baby, you should try eating a lot more soups and drinking a lot of fluids.
Malunggay is also traditionally known to increase your milk supply, and you can add it to almost any type of dish! So make sure to always have malunggay at home to help boost your milk supply.
Aside from malunggay soup, lactation consultant Abbie Yabot also encouraged breastfeeding moms to take in a lot of fluids and soups or food that has a lot of collagen.
10. You can’t breastfeed when you’re tired and other breastfeeding myths
You can’t breastfeed when you’re tired or stressed, because you will transfer all of it to your child – definitely a myth! According to Yabot, the reason why your baby cries when you breastfeed him when you are tired or stressed has to do with the vibes he’s getting from you.
“Do you know why your baby cries when you’re stressed? It’s because you have a negative emotion that can cause a switch in your milk flow. This is what turns him off,” she explained in Filipino.
In fact, according to the expert, when you’re breastfeeding, you’re releasing a hormone called prolactin, which is a natural relaxant that helps calm the breastfeeding mom.
Moreover, there’s another myth that says raising your arms while breastfeeding will stop the milk from flowing. Again, this is a myth and there’s really no scientific basis to support this.
While it’s easy to just go with what our elders believe, you still have to consider the effects of these Filipino pregnancy myths on your unborn baby’s health and on your mental health as a new mom.
If you have any questions about your pregnancy, don’t hesitate to consult your OB-Gynecologist or if you’re a breastfeeding mom, feel free to reach out to a lactation counselor in your area.
What’s the most bizarre Filipino pregnancy myth you’ve heard or followed? Let us know in the comments section!