Pregnancy

-Wearing necklaces or leis can

cause the umbilical cord to wrap
around the baby causing
strangulation
-Jumping or reaching for objects
can cause the umbilical cord to
wrap around the baby causing
strangulation
-Passing beneath a wire can cause
the umbilical cord to wrap around
the baby causing strangulation
-Wearing tight clothing can cause
suffocation of the baby or cause
the baby to be born small

Portuguese
Beliefs &
Traditions for
the Maternity
Client
Childbirth & Postpartum

-To hasten childbirth a twisted

thread of red silk is cut into pieces
and drank in wine
-To hasten childbirth the husband is
to lift and turn over a church roof
tile

Newborn Care

-A cross should be made over the

bath water of the baby prior to
bathing
-The bath water of the baby should
be discarded in an upward motion,
for baby boys it should be
discarded outside of the home and
for girls inside of the home
-The newborn is extremely
susceptible to the evil eye until
baptism occurs, evil eye is the
ability of a person to cast a spell
onto someone with their eyes
-If someone sees the baby for the
first time and compliments the
baby, the response should be God
bless you to protect the baby from
the evil eye

-Sniffing flowers can cause

disfiguring birthmark on the baby

-Once labor pain begin a mans hat

is put on the woman until the baby
is born

-Descending down stairs with right

foot indicates your having a boy,
with the left foot indicates your
having a girl

-The woman is considered impure

for 40 days postpartum and cannot
enter a church during that time

-Salt, a box of matches, and a

medallion safety pinned onto baby
will provide protection until baptism
occurs

-In Portugal all at the first prenatal

appointment your given a green
booklet that you bring to all
appointments and delivery to track
all important information

-In Portugal water birth are not

common but non-medical births
are, which means they give birth in
a hospital or maternity clinic most
likely with a doula and no medical
interventions

- Silver dollars are taped on the

navel if it protrudes, oil is rubbed on
the baby around the umbilical cord
and it is covered with a diaper to
prevent a protruding navel
-In Portugal a maximum of 6 names