Handmade Micronesian Decorations

All information provided was obtained from interviews with Micronesian men and women from various islands. This information is not intended to be diagnostic or used for self treatment. The effectiveness of these practices are uncertain. Please seek professional health care advice if you are pregnant or have medical problems.

Prenatal Beliefs

• The first signs of pregnancy are missed periods and food cravings.
• Elder woman are able to detect if someone is pregnant if a white spot appears on the center of the woman's forehead.
• Women tend to first tell their mothers and sisters that they are pregnant.
• Women will go to a doctor or medic for prenatal care.  If there is no doctor on the island, their grandmother or mother assumes care.
• If they have access to prenatal care their significant other attends routine visits.
• Not all women have access to prenatal vitamins, however, if available they will take them.
• If the woman's stomach is round or if she has a rapid heartbeat, the baby will be a boy.  If her stomach is pointed, the baby will be a girl.
• To ensure a healthy baby women eat breadfruit, taro, fruits and fish. They are also restricted from performing strenuous tasks (not allowed to do anything more strenuous than sweeping).
• Salty and spicy foods are restricted because it is believed to weaken the stomach muscles.
• Loose fitting clothing is essential to ensure a big strong baby.
• Pregnant women are treated with the utmost respect because the chance of survival is slim.
• It is believed that eating alongside a witch will cause fetal death or illness.
• Abortions are considered taboo.  It is believed that having abortions may bring a curse on the family.
• The women are strongly influenced by their mother and grandmothers' beliefs regarding pregnancy.

Labor & Delivery Beliefs

• Most women have home births.  The grandmother and mother help to deliver the child.
• Men are not allowed to view the birth; they must wait outside until the baby arrives.
• Women are expected to endure the pain of labor silently.  If they show pain (i.e., screaming) it is a sign that they are not "woman" enough to raise a child and therefore a family member may raise the child for them.
• If the placenta is taken and planted with a fruit tree it is believed the tree will produce bounteous fruit.
• The umbilical cord is planted in the ground with a palm tree to signify that the baby will grow up tall and strong.
• It is preferred to have a boy first so he can help provide for the family.

Postpartum Beliefs

• Women are expected to rest one month after delivery.
• After birth the mother and grandmother prepare a special bath to help the woman heal.
• Baby should not be taken out in public for at least one month.
• Breast milk is the primary nutrition for baby.
• Women drink plenty of water and coconut milk and eat fish, soup, and tapioca to produce adequate breast milk.
• Mom and dad give the baby its first name and the elders of the family give the baby its last name.  This determines the inheritence regarding land.
• It is believed that an ideal family consists of at least six children to help care for and lookout for one another.

Micronesian Basket

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Posted November 5, 2008