Portuguese
Cultural Beliefs
during prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care
The contents on this page is for informational purposes only. Please do not use this information provided for self treatment of any kind. If you are pregnant, please seek medical attention from a health care provider.
Prenatal Beliefs
- Missing a menstrual cycle led women to visit their doctor or medical center to confirm the pregnancy.
- Some older generations strongly believed in having midwives.
- The first person the women told was the head of the family; husband or grandfather.
- Pregnant women were accompanied by either their grandmother, mother or husband when they went for prenatal visits.
- Most women received monthly check-ups and prenatal vitamins.
- It is believed that if the woman's back side curves in then she is to have a boy and if it curves out then she is to have a girl.
- It is believed that the sex of the baby can be predicted by the shape of the abdomen:
- if abdomen is round and low, it is a boy.
- if abdomen is pointy and high, it is a girl.
- It is also believed that if the woman craves bitter or salty food, it indicates a boy; if sweets, it indicates a girl.
- Do not wear necklaces because the umbilical cord may wrap around baby's neck during pregnancy.
- Do not wear tight pants or shirts because it is believed baby can suffocate during pregnancy if the woman wears tight clothing..
- No heavy lifting during pregnancy to ensure the health of the baby.
- Do not eat spicy food because this may cause the child to be born blind.
- Do not go to a graveyard or attend a funeral, because it is believed that the dead will take the unborn baby's soul.
Labor and Delivery
- For some, female family members were present during labor and delivery and men were not allowed. In other instances, husbands were allowed.
- Women were n ot allowed to scream or make loud noises during labor because it was considered a sign of weakness.
- To cope with the pain women clenched their fists, held hands with their support person, bit their lips, and took deep breaths.
Post-Partum
Pertaining to Baby:
- The female family members helped care for baby and mom.
- The recovery period varied, from one week to two months according to the situation and the family's belief of what was appropiate..
- The new parents were not allowed to take baby out for a month or until baby was baptized by the Catholic priest.
- After the umbilical cord falls off, the mother and father must burn and then bury the ashes near their house to protect baby and for good luck.
- The husband and grandfather must also burn the placenta so no one can harm the baby.
- During the burial of the ashes of the umbilical cord and placenta , a candle was lit and those present prayed "Va Con Dirsh" (God Bless You) to protect the baby from evil spirits.
- Those present would also would say "God Bless You" when someone expressed "what a cute baby".
- It was believed necessary to put a crucifix, Blessed Mother, or Jesus pin on baby's shirt to protect from evil spirits and the evil eye.
- It was also believed necessary to make the sign of the cross over baby's face when baby yawned.
- The infant was baptized at about 3 weeks of age.
- To ease baby's hiccups, put a piece of paper on infant's forehead.
- One of the mother's interviewed dreamed of her great grandmother during her pregnancy. The great grandmother gave her the baby's name.
- The family was not allowed to tell the meaning of the baby's name to prevent jealousy toward the child.
Pertaining to Mother:
- It was believed that mom should stay away from oily foods so that baby does not get sour stomach.
- The mom was not allowed to wash her hair for about two weeks.
- the breasts must be kept warm to prevent the mom from getting a cold in the chest.
- The mom ate chicken soup with rice throughout the recovery period.
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Posted November 25, 2005