African American
Traditional Beliefs on Birthing


Midwives

The information presented here is taken from interviews with black women.  It is not intended in any way to offer advice, treatment or recommendations. If you are pregnant, please see your health care professional.
baby foot




PRENATAL BELIEFS
  • A pregnant woman is not supposed to hold her hands up over her head.  It is believed she will strangle the baby.
  • A pregnant woman should not cross her legs when sitting.  This will cause hemorrhoids.
  • A pregnant woman should indulge her food cravings or the baby will have unpleasant physical or personality traits that match the characteristics of the food.

LABOR & DELIVERY

  • During labor a woman puts a knife under the bed or pillow to "cut" the pain.
  • Midwives, referred to as Grannies, were traditionally charged with the prenatal, birthing, and postpartum care.
  • It is OK to be very vocal during childbirth.


POSTPARTUM BELIEFS
Mother and Child


  • Babies were not named until it was known if they would survive.  It was believed that spirits of the dead could not see and therefore harm a child who did not have a name.
  • The placenta has a spirit of its own and must be secretly buried where it will never be disturbed and negatively affect the child.
  • A small portion of the umbilical cord is wrapped in paper and put away to ensure the newborn will not get colic.
  • Talismans are used for protection and to connect the child to ancestral powers and the spirits of nature.
  • New mothers are to rest and be cared for in the initial four to eight weeks after birth, assisted by their family and the community.
  • Henna body art is used during this postpartum period.  New mother rest while intricate, time-consuming lace patterns are painted and allowed to dry.  After this, the mother should perform no housework.  The henna beautification lifts the new mother's spirits, wards off depression, and signifies the mother's new and higher social status.




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Posted December 1, 2006