I recall a few superstitions, though not all are if/then warnings. As examples,
directives not to take baths (water flow issues),
more babies being born during the full moon (I was curious, and asked the nurses at the maternity ward. They told me it was true. Now, of course, I cannot remember whether you or your sister were born during the full moon, but I know I was curious as to whether you would be)
there were several about ways to prompt going into labor--having sex, driving on bumpy roads, and, though it may be more a fictional (non)memory than anything else, eating spicy foods. Even if I could remember, I wouldn't comment on the first to you, and I didn't do any of the others, as I wasn't particularly uncomfortable or anxious to hurry things along.
Have you ever heard of ways to predict a baby's gender? What were they?
Yes, though I cannot recall most of them.
Some had to do with how you were carrying the baby--more toward the front vs side-to-side, as I recall.
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I forget which one was supposed to indicate which gender.
there was something about the speed of a baby's heartbeat--faster vs. slower indicated one gender or the other [not awfully specific--sorry]
I was curious about your sister's gender, and did not know it or want to know it, though my nurse-practitioner did. I didn't want to know your gender either, but the doctor let that info. out probably pretty early in the 2nd trimester. So, I would have paid more attention to the clues, or what the elders conveyed were the clues/superstitions, with your sister than with you.
During your pregnancy, did you find yourself buying into any superstitions you may have heard? Please explain.
Hard to remember.
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I probably did some wishful thinking with regard to gender clues/superstitions for your sister, or selective listening. Though I would have loved any baby that emerged, I really did want a girl. I also probably gave some credence to full moon story--and definitely was curious as to whether you two would fit that pattern.
My mother's responses are in line with the information found in previous sources. Her comments about "wishful thinking" and "selective listening" are great examples of how people help superstitions live on, even though they might not fully believe in them. Superstitions about pregnancy exist in abundance. They serve as a means of dealing with the fear, uncertainty, and excitement that are a significant part of most women's pregnancies. As a folk group, women who have experience with pregnancy pass on their knowledge and anecdotes to others in the folk group. Some share their superstitions for fun, while others are truly in search of answers or explanations. Whether or not women believe in the superstitions, they certainly abound and are an interesting reflection of people's thoughts.
The world of pregnancy is tricky.
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Mma