Historical Pregnancy Advice – Part 2

Pregnancy has always been surrounded by mystery, wonder, and—let’s be honest—a fair bit of questionable advice.

These days we have science on our side, but throughout history, expectant mothers were often guided by superstition, folklore, and the best guesses of generations past.

Here are five more curious beliefs from around the world that people once swore by during pregnancy and birth…

1. Don’t Look at the Moon
It was once believed that pregnant women should avoid moonlight entirely. Looking at the moon could result in a baby who was “moonstruck”—destined to behave erratically or suffer from madness. Some even feared that moonlight could mark the baby in some way or affect their future temperament.

2. Cravings Predict Gender
Sweet cravings? You’re having a girl. Prefer salty or sour? Must be a boy. Many cultures passed down these ideas as old wives’ tales, and some even said the size or shape of your bump could give away your baby’s gender too. While totally unscientific, they’re still fun to guess with!

3. No Baths After Birth
In some traditions, new mothers were told not to bathe for days—or even weeks—after giving birth. The belief was that water could seep into the body and lead to illness or even death. Dry wiping was considered a much safer (if less comfortable) alternative.

4. Avoid Knots at All Costs
It was thought that tying knots or fastening laces during labour could literally “tie up” the birth and prevent the baby from being born. Birthing rooms were often cleared of braided hair, fastened garments, or anything that might create a symbolic knot that could delay delivery.

5. No Sewing in the Lap
Expecting mums were warned not to rest sewing projects on their bumps. The belief? That the baby could become tangled in the umbilical cord. Others said that stitching anything closed while pregnant might accidentally “seal” the baby inside, causing complications.

Modern Wisdom, Timeless Curiosity
We might smile at these myths now, but they show just how deeply people have always cared about keeping mums and babies safe—even if their ideas were a little off the mark. Still, it’s fascinating to see how folklore has shaped birth practices through the centuries.

Check out the Video

If you’re interested in more bite-sized baby facts like this, I’ve put together a quick slideshow-style video to bring them to life visually.  And if you’re thinking about booking a newborn session, you’ll be amazed at just how much personality already shines through in those first portraits.