Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Pregnancy customs & superstitions

26 November, 2006

Question:

Now that I am in my second trimester of pregnancy and have started to tell people the good news, I am hearing about all sorts of customs and superstitions and I am not sure what is real and what is just a "bubbehmeiseh". I have been told that my co-workers (who've already offered) can't throw me a baby shower, that I shouldn't tell anyone my exact due date, and other such advice because these things would bring an ayin hara. I am not sure what to believe! I have a lot of questions and I hope you can help or steer me in the right direction.
Thank you!


Answer:

Besha'ah Tovah!

The different opinions you are hearing regarding conduct during pregnancy are largely based on personal feeling. Some people feel that preparing anything before the birth can cause ayin hara (evil eye) – while others have the baby's room completely ready months before delivery. If a specific custom is prevalent in your community or your family, you should keep it. Otherwise, you are not obligated to follow any one of these views, and should conduct yourself based on your own feelings. There are no halachic boundaries regarding your conduct in this area.

We wish you a healthy pregnancy and birth, and please feel free to follow up with any question.


This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases. All health and health-related information contained within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with your health care professional. The advice is intended to offer a basis for individuals to discuss their medical condition with their health care provider but not individual advice. Although every effort is made to ensure that the material within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is accurate and timely, it is provided for the convenience of the Web site user but should not be considered official. Advice for actual medical practice should be obtained from a licensed health care professional.

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