• It was believed that pregnant woman should avoid eating food that would harm the baby.  For example, foods with a strong flavor like onions, or hot foods like chili pepper were believed to cause harm to the fetus.  The pregnant woman would be encouraged to eat greens like young taro leaves, or sweet potato leaves because it was thought that these things would help build the body of the baby.  
• The pregnant woman could not eat raw fish because of the slimy texture.  This texture was thought to make the mother and baby sick. 
• Berries were also discouraged because it was thought to cause discoloration to the baby's body.  
• Whatever the woman craved while pregnant would be given to her because the cravings were thought to be an expression and character of the unborn child.  

 

• The mother had to be positive to ensure the child would be born with good character because the behavior of the mother was believed to greatly influence the unborn child's.  For example: If the mother was jealous throughout the pregnancy, the baby would be born with a jealous disposition.  If the mother was a hard worker, the child to would be industrious and hardworking.  
• It was believed that a pregnant women should not wear a lei or necklaces because the child would be born with the umbilical cord wrapped around the child's neck.  If a lei is given, the pregnant woman would accept it but would drape the lei on their wrist.  
• It was believed that bathing in the ocean prior to delivery would help loosen the baby because of the soothing currents of the ocean.  It was also done to ensure that pain during labor would be more tolerable.

• It was believed that when the expectant mother was asked to hold out a hand, if she held out her left hand, the baby was a girl and if she held out her right hand, the baby was a boy.  
• Another way to determine the sex of the baby was the feel and shape of the 'opu (stomach).  If the abdomen was pointed out and in the front, it was said that the mother was carrying a boy.  If the abdomen was round and the mothers waist and hips got thicker, the mother was thought to be carrying a girl.
• If the mother looked pale and sickly and her hair was thinning, it was said that she was carrying a girl because the girl needed all her mother's nutrients and beauty.  
• Other times there would be a family member that would have a dream and the dream would disclose the sex of the baby.

• Showing emotion during labor was discouraged because it showed weakness.

• The Hawaiian people thought that the placenta should be washed and buried under a tree or in deep in the ocean so that it could be protected.
• It was believed if the umbilical cord came off too early the child would hunger easily.  If the umbilical cord fell off after 7 days and the child had a firm stomach, the child would be able to last longer without food. 
• When the cord would fall off it was buried where no animal or human could retrieve it.  If it was stolen, it would bring out the child's thievish nature.  Some believed that if they wanted their child to be great in the water, they must bury it in the ocean. 
• Others would burn the umbilical cord to ashes and bury it under a "family" tree where all others were buried.  This was done to keep children and descendants close together.  

• The body of the baby would be massaged daily to give strength.  
• Because a high forehead was considered "ugly" mothers or other caregivers would mold and massage the head to be more "beautiful" because doing so would show that the child was not neglected.  

• The mother was encouraged to eat green leafy foods and herbs to ensure that the infant was getting the same beneficial nutrients as the mother. 
• The mother would have to drink certain herbal teas to "cleanse" the body after delivery.

• inoa kupuna: means named after an ancestor.  Children would receive this type of name to pay respects or in hopes that their child would be similar to this deceased ancestor.  
• inoa po: means night name.  It is a name given by the gods and comes in dream to a family member.  It is believed if the child is not named what the Gods have chosen, this baby would become ill and possibly die.  
• inoa kuamuamu: these names would be given to protect the child.  If it was believed that the child could be bothered by gods or evil spirits, so the parents would give the child an ugly or  insulting name so that the Gods or evil spirits would not be jealous and take the child away.  A child was considered vulnerable from birth to age 7.  Usually the child would be given a name that was more suitable after the child turned 7.  
• Names are important because of the meanings attached to them.  It is believed that the child will live up to it's name.  

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Posted October 26, 2007