On Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories live radio last Friday, guest speaker Genesis (Top 3 finalist for Be A Podcaster) shared a story about her relatives’ pregnancy. This prompted me to ask my mum about the pregnancy taboos she followed when she was younger.
These taboos are largely considered old wives’ tales. Whether you choose to believe them is entirely up to you—they are shared here for cultural interest and entertainment purposes.
No Slaughtering of Animals
In the podcast episode from 5 January 2024 (available on MeListen, Spotify, or Google Podcasts), Genesis recounted that her pregnant relative once killed a bat that had flown into their home. This took place over 40 years ago, when they lived in a kampung (village). Her mother had asked her to kill the bat so she could cook bat soup. She only managed to break the bat’s wings and hung it on a pole before cooking it. A few months later, she gave birth to a baby girl. The baby reportedly had excessive body hair, pointy ears, and long, slit-like eyes. Sadly, the child did not survive long after birth.
Another listener shared a similar story about a pregnant woman who killed a cat, and her child was later born with unusual features.
The moral often drawn from such stories is to avoid harming animals during pregnancy, as it may lead to undesirable consequences.
Avoid Going Out at Night
In the past, before urban development, many people lived in kampung areas without street lighting or modern infrastructure. It was believed that the Pontianak—a vengeful female spirit—resided in banana trees during the day and hunted expectant mothers at night, targeting their unborn babies. As a result, pregnant women were advised to return home before dusk, keep windows closed, and bring in any clothing hung outside. Some even carried scissors for protection.
Do Not Attend Funerals
Funerals are considered highly yin environments. Since unborn babies are also associated with yin energy, attending a funeral is believed to create an imbalance. Pregnant women are therefore encouraged to avoid funerals and instead participate in yang activities, such as celebrations. For example, my sister was in her second trimester when our grandmother passed away, and she was not allowed to attend the funeral.
If you really want to attend, some say you can tie a red ribbon across your tummy, covering your belly button, for protection. For more info, watch this TikTok by Affinity Funeral Service SG.
Do Not Move the Marital Bed or Relocate
Traditionally, the marital bed is believed to be where the baby’s soul is formed. Moving it is thought to disturb the baby’s spirit.
There is also a practical perspective. My grandmother, who was eight months pregnant, once moved her bed and sadly lost her baby that same night. While this was attributed to spiritual reasons, modern medicine suggests that heavy lifting can increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.
Similarly, pregnant women are advised not to participate in moving house. Others should handle the physical work, and the expectant mother should only return once everything is settled.
Do Not Hammer Nails
It is believed that hammering nails during pregnancy may cause the baby to be born with birthmarks, deformities, or other physical issues. Symbolically, hammering nails is associated with coffins, which is why it is considered inauspicious.
Avoid Certain Foods
Some foods are classified as “cooling” in traditional beliefs, such as pineapple, cucumber, and grass jelly, and are thought to increase the risk of miscarriage.
Other food-related beliefs include:
- Eating crab may result in a mischievous child
- Avoiding mutton, rabbit, and snake
Do Not Announce Pregnancy During the First Trimester
This belief is widely shared across cultures. Since the risk of miscarriage is higher during the first trimester, many choose to keep the pregnancy private until it is more stable. Even in Western cultures.
Do Not Visit the Zoo
There is a belief that staring at animals—especially monkeys—may influence the baby’s appearance.
I remember my mum advising me to look at beautiful babies instead, so that I would have a good-looking child. She even suggested decorating the house with pictures of cute babies. I didn’t follow that advice—I mostly displayed family and dog photos instead!
What about your culture? Are there any pregnancy taboos or beliefs you’ve heard of? Feel free to share them in the comments below.
