HAWAIIAN CULTURE AND BELIEFS   

The content within this page is based on interviews with women of this culture and is for        

informational purposes only.  It is NOT to be considered medical advice.  Please see a health         

professional if you are pregnant.       

                              MODERN PRENATAL BELIEFS:

• Wearing a lei or necklace while pregnant could cause the infant to be born with the uumbilical cord around it's neck.
• There are no restrictions with food. In fact, a woman is encouraged to eat everything she craves because if she doesn't eat the food she craves the infant might be born with a defect.
• It is believed that the woman should always take prenatal vitamins and attend regular doctor visits.
• If the mother's stomach is pointy it's a boy and if it's round and her skin gets blotchy and breaks out it's a girl. 
• Women are encouraged to rest and avoid strenuous exercise.
• 

   MODERN LABOR AND DELIVERY BELIEFS:

• The Maternal grandmother is at the bed side actively participating and the significant other is encouraged to remain in the room for birth. 
• Quietly enduring pain and not using pain medication during labor is highly respected.
  The placenta is taken home and buried.
• When the umbilical cord falls off, it is placed under a tree (meaning child is tied to the land) or placed under a rock in the ocean, also known as a piko (navel) rock  (meaning child is tied to the ocean).  The same is done with the placenta.  It is either buried under a tree or under a rock in the ocean.  The reason for this is to unite the infant's spirit with mother earth in some way.
• In ancient Hawaii , boys were preferred  but as times have changed either sex is acceptable as long as the baby is healthy.