The birth of a man - the most important moment in his life, so it has long been shrouded in all sorts of beliefs. With birth and associated large number of folk rituals, rites and signs.
Note that the traditions and rituals relating to a person's birth, are very similar among different peoples of the world. the birth process was perceived as supernatural and was considered a transition from one world to the other: our ancestors believed that at birth the soul dies in the other world and is born on Earth.
Pregnancy and childbirth in the understanding of our ancestors - a period full of dangers for the health of the woman and her baby, so they needed to be protected from evil spirits protect them prayers, incantations and rituals. In addition, some of them were designed to alleviate the pain and suffering of mothers, to help your child easily and quickly be born.
Since ancient times it was believed that the time of birth is interconnected with the further destiny of man: what will be the transition from the mental to the material world, and this will be the share of the newborn.
Customs disclosure and unleashing before delivery
Customs and unleashing disclosure exist in virtually all nations of the world: it is believed that it is easier to help your child will be born and to pass through the birth canal freely. Near mothers to open all doors, cabinets and chests, and unleashed all the nodes.
Tradition unleashing different peoples of the world:
- India: The midwife had to open all the windows and doors, as well as to uncork all the bottles that are in the house.
- Scotland: It was decided to untie all the knots and nodules to dissolve the belt and untie the belt of female attire.
- China: Some mothers put open umbrella.
- Jews and Orthodox: In the case of heavy and prolonged labor was made to contact clergymen with the request to open the doors of the church, and the gates of the altar.
IN Ukrainian traditions new mothers were advised to take off all decorations, dissolve the hair and untie the ribbon on their clothes. The house must be open cabinets, chests, doors, windows and gates.
Assistant in childbirth
Traditionally, the majority of peoples since the days of the ancient world assistance in childbirth is a woman-midwife. obstetrics doctors are not doing: they helped only in the case of difficult delivery.
In the Ukrainian tradition of women in childbirth assistance is also provided a midwife. But the scope of their duties was much wider: they not only took the newborn baby, but helped to organize the ceremonies connected with the birth and christening the baby, prepare the house for his appearance. Midwives became family, where they took a newborn, almost to the family and loved one.
Place for delivery
In the tradition of many peoples of the world labor it was accepted to take home. Although the tradition of some people somewhat different. For example, Ossetian woman gave birth in a stable. In some Ukrainian villages took birth in the bath, where it is warm and there is access to water.
Poses for childbirth
All the peoples of the world was decided that a woman should not during childbirth in the same position and give birth lying on their backs. Usually they give birth in the squatting position, sitting on a special nursing chair (such was necessarily part of the dowry of the bride in the Netherlands) or on your lap. And today, many doctors believe that women in such positions is easier to get rid of the burden.
Ukrainian midwife not allowed to sit or women giving birth in the same position: the woman during labor held massage abdomen and lower back, she had to walk around objects in the house, step over the threshold, and sometimes she was forced to melt bath. It was a kind of prevention weakness of labor. During attempts new mother assumes the pose squatting or on their knees: it was believed that this would facilitate the appearance of a baby into the world.
Role in the delivery of her husband
The role of the husband in childbirth of his wife in the traditions of different peoples was different, but basically born in a female circle. At the same time, some European nations husband "shared" the suffering of his wife and was present at the birth of his baby, that is practiced partnerships childbirth.
Among other peoples (eg, Caucasian), when the woman began to give birth, her husband went away and waited until he was informed about the birth of the baby. In China, a man and a pregnant woman's relatives went out of the house until she give birth.
Superstitions associated with childbirth
- You can not tell anyone about the probable date of birthThen they will be easy: the custom is for many people and is intended to protect a young mother and her baby from evil spirits.
- Before delivery can not buy things for the babyIt was believed that it will harm an unborn baby. In this case, the woman secretly preparing for the emergence of the baby or mother, mothers did it.
- You need to give birth with her hair, so that there was no cord entanglement.
- Delivery to be more easily provide maternity chew hair.
- Give birth without pain - to grow up without the love. Our ancestors believed that through the pain and suffering generated affection to the baby. Modern research confirms this: when natural childbirth is an active release of hormones that has a positive effect on the attitude of the mother to her child.
You will also be interested to learn about 8 interesting facts about sex in the Middle Ages.
Photo to article: istockphoto.com
