Superstitions regarding a newborn and pregnancy
By malpoa
@malpoa (1216)
India
July 22, 2010 1:35am CST
I am just into 8th month of pregnancy and I have this huge urge to shop for the baby. Browsing through India times shopping website I had a this idea to compare price with that of our local market. To my dismay, the friend whom I called started eating my head 
when I told her that I was shopping for the yet to arrive baby!!! She literally started shouting the hell at me for buying things ahead. I tried to reason saying, these are superstitions, I just want to be practical and do not run out of necessities when it is time. To which she said that I needn't worry about all those, she her husband along with my husband would shop for the baby when I am in hospital!!!
I got really mad at her but did not try to reason again. I mean why wont I be a part in nesting??
After hanging up, I carried on with my shopping and was ecstatic when I zeroed in on a pair of diapers!!! 
That was all I could think then and the first item I bought for our much awaited little thing!!
What do you think the most absurd superstitions you have come across are? I have been hearing quite a few since the last 5-6 months...
when I told her that I was shopping for the yet to arrive baby!!! She literally started shouting the hell at me for buying things ahead. I tried to reason saying, these are superstitions, I just want to be practical and do not run out of necessities when it is time. To which she said that I needn't worry about all those, she her husband along with my husband would shop for the baby when I am in hospital!!! I got really mad at her but did not try to reason again. I mean why wont I be a part in nesting??
After hanging up, I carried on with my shopping and was ecstatic when I zeroed in on a pair of diapers!!! That was all I could think then and the first item I bought for our much awaited little thing!!
What do you think the most absurd superstitions you have come across are? I have been hearing quite a few since the last 5-6 months...14 responses
@vandana7 (98778)
• India
22 Jul 10
Hi Malpoa, how are you doing? :) Actually, even I heard of this one, some 25 years ago. In good old days, they were never sure about the baby's well being. So they would be afraid that the mother would get more depressed when she saw those things, remembering how happy she'd been. Dont feel bad, the friend meant well. You can shop more once the baby is around. :) As Kala has already pointed out - there will always be neighbors, or other family members whose clothes can be used initially till you all can buy a few of your own. :) Now, we can even order from net. So please stop fretting. :)
@malpoa (1216)
• India
22 Jul 10
I am doing good dear, what about you? I agree with your point. The whole fuss behind this is to prevent mother from feeling worse after seeing the cute little things she collected for the baby. But now science is well ahead of where it was a few years back. If it is all said for that reason ,well and good..but no takers for superstition...
Actually I was a little offended when she suggested that I could use her baby's used t shirts...I was like why would I use yours and not have mine??? It is actually a good idea to point about shopping from net later on. I can very well see and shop myself..:))
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
23 Jul 10
The weirdest thing I heard while pregnant was some odd movement by another person could mark the baby in some way.
Mama insisted I was given a large black birthmark on my side when my brother did something that upset her. When she put her hands on her hips rather hard, she swears that marked me. My question was, "If I was marked on one side and you put your hands on both hips, why didn't I get marked on both sides?" She never could answer that. lol
1 person likes this
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
22 Jul 10
sorry dear! I am also of yur friend's opinion.Let the baby be born safe and sound; God's grace] there is enough time to shop for diapers and the rest--your husband or friend would be easily capable of buying the same and there is no sacred sentiment attached to the first diaper bought by mom.You can easily buy it later if you feel that you must be the one doing the buying.
This accoring to me is not a superstition but just a matter of patience .
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
22 Jul 10
Normally we always would keep some old garment worn by babies at home. If this is not there baby can be wrapped ina towel or a makeshift jabla as soon as s it is born.YOu husband and friend would defintiely buy the lot.I can understand your excitement but we middleaged moms are like this.
@malpoa (1216)
• India
22 Jul 10
I did not tell my folks about my shopping spree. I do not think my mother would oppose as my sister who was in Pathankot during her pregnancy all by herself, did the shopping before hand. Hmm as for others shopping, I am a bit apprehensive about it.. I want to personally see the items and choose myself... have already started collecting old cotton clothes to be used as nappy for initial stage hi hi
@pinky31ps (187)
• India
22 Jul 10
well since we are living in india, we have to hear all this crap. these stand no where in reality. it is just that they are lil scared and protective. let them do what they wanna do n you do what you wanna do. at the end of the end, it is about your baby, a lil angel who is inside you from last 8 months.. wish you luck. do let me know whether its a baby boy or a cute angel...
@malpoa (1216)
• India
22 Jul 10
Thank you dear. I am soon making a list to go shopping. As the first response pointed out, there are many things which I did not even think about..and to have nursing pads and bras are important.. I wouldn't want anybody even my husband to do that type of shopping for me...comfort is a main concern..
Will try to post pics as soon as I can...
@crysontherocks77 (1273)
• United States
22 Jul 10
It's normal to feel this way. Emotions are high and if you wanna buy, buy it. I think your friend might be skeptical because there are cases of things happening in the delivery room and so on and the baby not make it. that being said. go for it sweety. We had a baby shower about three weeks before mine was born. its normal don't worry about it.
@malpoa (1216)
• India
23 Jul 10
Yippee...what is the point in being sad and making others happy, right?? if anything is to come(good or bad), it will come.
true dear, emotions are truly in loads hi hi.. I get offended or sad at the slightest comment hi hi and more so now because f hormonal change I think.
@Beautyfactor (1512)
•
22 Jul 10
If you are in your 8th month, you are well passed the stage of problems and you sdhould be planning and preparing for the arrival of your baby. Don't let other people's superstitions mar your excitement, you should be excited and getting prepared.
At this stage it is very posssible that your baby could arrive a little earlier than anticipated and if you are not prepared then what?
I like to be organised so with both of my pregnancies I had my hosptial bag organised and the nurseries decorated by the time I was eight months. I also had everything I needed from clothes and nappies to wet wipes and bath bubbles.
1 person likes this
@stacyv81 (5903)
• United States
22 Jul 10
I am 8 months pregnant too!! Congrats!!
As with this being my fourth child, buying things isnt really on my list of things to do, as before I always bought too much!
But the superstition about waiting until a certain month to tell people about your pregnancy is silly to me. I always tell people as soon as I find out which is always really early in the pregnancy.
With my first son though I had everything ready at 6 months, I spent the next 3 1/2 months hanging and rehanging, folding and refolding clothes, sweeping and dusting his room, over and over again..lol.
Good luck with your baby!!
@malpoa (1216)
• India
22 Jul 10
Congrats to you too!!! I am sure you might have enjoyed every bit of it. I am still in the initial stage and still unsure of what exactly to buy ha ha and in what colour...every time I go to malls all these small dresses and booties catch my attension.. yesterday I was looking for a mosquito net on the net..Was about to buy when I realised that I did not know its size. Why buy the smallest size and then use it for the shortest period know?? Got to finish all the buying within one month...The rest of the time, I too would perhaps wash, clean, fold and refold ha ha
@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
23 Jul 10
All superstitions are nonsense. You carry on doing what you wish to do and tell your friend that she is being silly and childish
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
22 Jul 10
Hi,
Is it your first pregnancy?
For me, I will always get ready all those baby necessity around my 5th
month of pregnancy.
During the 5th month, doctor is able to scan to make sure the baby is normal.
Because if there is an abnormality on the baby, still can decide whether
to go ahead with the pregnancy or give it up.
Once I got the good news,then I will start shopping for my baby. Getting
a stroller, nappies,baby clothes,baby wipes, a set of pillow and
bolster,baby blanket, towels,handkerchief, nursing bras, pump (for milk),
baby bottles,boots and mittens,etc.
I guess there are plenty of things to buy during my first pregnancy.
And of course, I am getting excited to wait for my baby's arrival.
Hope you have a smooth delivery and takecare !!
@malpoa (1216)
• India
22 Jul 10
Thnx!!
Yup it is my very first and I am eagerly waiting. Wow I have a long list to take for shopping it seems. Actually I live alone ere with my husband and at this point, all I can think of buying is a lot of diapers hi hi and a few clothes, hooded blankets...Never even thought of the things you mentioned... I keep searching net for ideas to fill my bag before going to hospital.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
12 Aug 10
I've heard that if you are pregnant with a girl that she will steal the mother's beauty during the pregnancy while being pregnant with a little boy will mean that the mother will look more beautiful while she is pregnant with the baby. I don't think any of this is true because I've had a boy and a girl and I never noticed any kind of change in my appearance when I was pregnant with my children. I'm also happy to report that both of my children are beautiful.
@malpoa (1216)
• India
12 Aug 10
That is true. People just say weird things. I browsed net to see if there were any scientific explanations to these statements. It all varies with women. Some women have an increased glow and that is just because of the increased flush of hormones. People say that is the size of the bump is too small, it could be a boy...I even checked that..It is so because some women have enough space in the abdominal area that the baby is not showing much to others...Here in India, people are struck with the idea of having fair babies. I was asked to have saffron to have a fair child. Myself being a little dark complexioned and inspite of going through the harassment of being dark in school college and among relatives, I opted not to have it..Not that it did seriously affect the colour of baby...It is completely based on genes. I feel bad when I hear such things from educated people..some even in the medical field you know...Sad...
@aguas_aj (498)
• Philippines
22 Jul 10
well, i agree with you. the best part in pregnancy aside from feeling your child's movement is the preparation you do for him/her, such as shopping for her/his things. I don't believe in any superstition also. It only hinders us in our happiness. One superstition that i received when i was pregnant is no one should stand in the doorway of your(pregnant woman's) house. Because the pregnant may have hard time delivering in the child.i just don't know if it's true, but i don't bind myself to any superstition. Just trust God at all times
@malpoa (1216)
• India
22 Jul 10
Of course it doesn't make sense. My grandmother used to tell me to not stand in the door way and wag my legs as it was a bad sign but later I understood that old people had these types of explanations but may be they wouldn't want to explain that if i wag my leg, I would fall and break my teeth!!!
But blaming the things I shopped for baby for any serious danger to the baby during or after delivery is absurd. What has a mere dress or an accessory got to do with the health of the baby. It all depends on the plan made by All Mighty.
@durgabala (1360)
• India
22 Jul 10
I am not superstitious but like to say that, in olden days ladies were not allowed to go out much during pregnancy since the roads were bad and medical emergency were very rare or few. ladies delivered in their homes with help of a mid wife, so they were extra cautious. today we are far ahead......i traveled in crowded trains during pregnancy to work. i never shopped because my mom didn't allow to. she said we can buy once the baby arrives safely. well i didn't want to break her heart and argue. Immediately after delivery she got the dresses washed it and then dressed my baby. my baby was wrapped with a towel till that time.
Many people do not wear newly borns with new clothes, they dress the baby with used ones or washed ones. its safe actually.
@malpoa (1216)
• India
22 Jul 10
Yes the reason for not using new clothes on baby is that their skin is extremely soft, vulnerable and delicate. For that matter, used cotton is best, which explains the fact that our mothers used more of cotton clothes instead of diapers. Even now doctors ask mothers to use less diapers on newborns. I also have to buy small cotton clothes and wash it atleast 3-4 times, dry it in sun and keep it ironed so that there is nothing on them to harm the baby. I live here without my mother or mother in law and it makes sense to do these preparation myself.
@irisseno (134)
• Philippines
22 Jul 10
in my part since i'm from the philippines, there are really many superstitious beliefs that i've encountered during my pregnancy. like for example the one that you've said that it's not good to shop ahead for the babies things coz as of what my mother and my grandmother said that if i do that something bad would happen to my baby. so that's why out of fear i just followed their advice coz i got to thinking that nothing will i loose if i just follow them. and also here in the philippines we cannot argue with what the elders tells us to do. so just for the baby to use after delivery my mother and i just prepared 4 pairs of booties and mittens, 5 shirts and pj's and some blankets. and then after giving birth as soon as i got out of the hospital that's the time we shopped for the baby.
@satylot (98)
•
22 Jul 10
When I was adolescent and my mustache started to appear my mother told me that dont go out to play in hot sun, ghost will catch you.When I asked the reason, reply was ,your moustache started apearing...
@malpoa (1216)
• India
23 Jul 10
ha ha that is funny. People come up with the silliest comments, right? When we are young, we do not put much thought into it...when we grow up, we seriously dissect every word of it. I was told as a child that I shouldn't whistle. If I whistle snakes would come hearing it!!! Now I know that it was merely meant to stop girls fro whistling as people thought bad about such girls...tomboyish girl like that...
As in your case, your mother did not want you to get a tan may be...
