“Pregnancy Superstitions: Cravings, Cradles, and Beliefs” is a collaborative post.
Pregnancy has always attracted its share of rules and rituals. Every culture has a list of things you’re “not supposed to do” when someone’s expecting, some framed as protection, others as warnings, and a few that are just plain strange or funny. Call them old wives’ tales, folk wisdom, or superstition, they all point to the same thing: the way people have always tried to safeguard new life, and the sense of mystery that lingers around bringing a child into the world.
Don’t Buy Baby Things Too Early
One of the most widespread beliefs across cultures is that you shouldn’t buy baby items before the child is actually born. Prams, cots, cribs, even tiny socks, all of it is often kept out of the house until after delivery.
The reasoning? Having baby items sitting around before the baby arrives is said to invite bad luck, or worse, signal misfortune for the pregnancy. In some traditions, it’s believed that spirits (or envious eyes) might notice the preparation and interfere with the safe arrival of the child.
That’s why in many families, you’ll see grandparents or friends storing the pram or crib until after the birth. Only once the baby is home and safe do these items “officially” enter the house. For some, it’s simply about not tempting fate; for others, it’s a symbolic way of protecting the fragile in-between space of pregnancy, when nothing is guaranteed yet.
The Pram at Home Rule
Closely tied to the “don’t buy too early” idea is the superstition about prams (or strollers). Even if you’ve already bought one, many people won’t bring it into the house until after the baby is born.
In some European traditions, the pram at home is thought to “invite death” or “draw emptiness” into the house. The pram is a vessel for life, and if it sits there empty, it’s said to carry the wrong kind of symbolism. That’s why friends or relatives might gift it after birth, or keep it hidden away until the child arrives.
Cravings and Gender Predictions
Cravings have their own set of superstitions. One of the most common baby gender wives tales says that if you’re craving sweets, you’re carrying a girl. If salty or savory foods are all you want, then it’s a boy.
The reasoning behind it goes a little further: girls are said to “steal” their mother’s beauty, so craving sugar might come along with breakouts or dull skin. Boys, on the other hand, are thought to give you a glow, which supposedly matches up with salty cravings.
Other food-related superstitions say that if a pregnant woman denies her cravings, the child might end up with a birthmark in the shape of that food. If you were desperate for strawberries but didn’t eat them, people might later point to a reddish mark on the child and say, “See? That’s why.”
Don’t Announce Too Early
Even in modern times, a lot of couples keep the first trimester under wraps. Beyond medical caution, this has deep roots in superstition. The early weeks of pregnancy are seen as especially vulnerable, and “speaking too soon” is believed to attract misfortune.
In some cultures, it’s said that spirits or envious people might interfere once they know about the pregnancy. So parents would quietly wait until the pregnancy felt more “secure” before sharing the news.
Sewing, Knitting, and Sharp Objects
Some traditions warn pregnant women not to use needles, scissors, or sharp tools. The belief is that it could “cut” the baby or cause complications during birth. Knitting for the baby before birth is sometimes considered unlucky for similar reasons.
That said, in other places, knitting baby clothes was a sign of love and preparation, so the superstition really depends on which grandmother you ask!
Eclipses and Bad Omens
In parts of Latin America and Asia, solar or lunar eclipses are thought to be dangerous for pregnant women. The belief is that exposure could cause birth defects or marks on the baby. Some expectant mothers are told to stay indoors during an eclipse, or to wear protective items like safety pins on their clothes to “ward off” the influence.
Even if people don’t fully believe it today, you’ll still hear advice whispered during eclipse, “Just stay inside, it can’t hurt.”
Jewelry and Tangled Cords
Another superstition says that if a pregnant woman wears necklaces or chains, the umbilical cord might wrap around the baby’s neck. This one is especially common in South Asian cultures, where jewelry is usually significant. Out of caution, some women skip wearing necklaces during pregnancy, even if they don’t take the belief too literally.
The Stories We Carry Into Birth
Pregnancy superstitions beautifully reflect the awe and anxiety that come with new life. From not buying baby clothes too soon to hiding the pram until the baby is born, from craving strawberries to avoiding eclipses, every culture has its own version of trying to safeguard the future.
You don’t have to believe in every rule to appreciate the meaning behind them. At their heart, these superstitions are about love, protection, and the deep desire to see a child arrive safe and healthy. And that’s something timeless.
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