Name: Jeeyan Grace P.

Delgado Course and Year: BSN 2-C

Birthing Beliefs in the Philippines

In my opinion, the Filipino culture has always been filled with superstitions, as

evidenced by what I read in the article. Practically just about everything you can believe of

seems to have at least one pamahiin associated with it. Pregnant women sometimes hear these

beliefs from well-intentioned family members. While certain superstitions may appear

harmless, they should not be used as a substitute for competent obstetrics and gynecology

consultation and care. Prenatal care, not old wives' tales, is the best way to keep your baby

healthy within the womb and ensure a peaceful birth. Regardless of the fact that the

Philippines' birth rituals and traditions different from those of other countries, the primary

intention is to keep women and their kids safe. Here in the Philippines, parents undertake

rituals that they think would aid them after or during childbirth. With the help of the

community, newborns can be welcomed into the world safely and with their own customs. The

Philippines is a country filled with superstitious beliefs about childbearing, which are followed

mostly because Filipinos think they have nothing to lose by adhering to these beliefs, which are

based on traditions, practices, and culture.

The majority of the individuals here practice their views about pregnancy, labor and

delivery, postpartum, and baby care, as seen by their ritual practices especially who have not

enough money to pay in the hospital. There are still some moms who follow superstitious ideas

that their ancestors instilled in them. These are beliefs and behaviors that have no scientific

basis, yet which people continue to follow. Many beliefs and behaviors related to postpartum
and newborn care are useful and advantageous, but beliefs and practices related to pregnancy

and labor appear to offer no significant benefits or advantages to the mother or for the fetus. I

believe that the beliefs and practices are mostly due to the strong influence of their family and

friends, who have become an integral part of their everyday life. Their predecessors passed

down these beliefs and behaviors to them. As a conclusion, I think it more it is advised that the

Department of Health run health programs through health practitioners, focusing on which

attitudes and habits are helpful to both the mother and the child. The effects of non-scientific

actions should be thoroughly addressed to them. Similarly, the academic community can

support health care workers in teaching community members, particularly to the pregnant

women, about healthful habits. More study is needed to determine if these beliefs and

behaviors are beneficial to the mother and the fetus or infant, as well as whether they present

a danger to the mother and the child in the womb.