Does the moon affect labor?
All pregnant women know that there is a popular belief, handed down by generations of women, according to which the moon and in particular the full one would increase the odds of labor. Let's try to make a little bit of clarity between legend and reality, between science and myth.
First of all, can even those who are far from the term of pregnancy, for example at the end of the eighth month, be affected by the full moon? And who is expecting twins or has a caesarean section scheduled? I challenge anyone to say they have never asked themselves these questions. The answer is complex, and is not based on very large or international studies, but only on observations made at some birth points. According to these observations, there would be an increase in labor, whether it is spontaneous, twin or Caesarean sections scheduled in the days of full moon. However, this concerns women who have a term of pregnancy two or three days before or after the full moon, so let's say in the six days that comprise this phase of the lunar calendar.
In this article
- Calculation of childbirth based on the moon
- Influences of the moon on childbirth
Calculation of childbirth based on the moon
Women far from the term or outside the aforementioned period would not be affected by the phenomenon. According to which theories, how then the moon might affect the onset of labor? On this point it must be said that the theories are varied. Here are two of them, the most common.
- The first argues that everything is based ongravitational attraction. To be clear, just as the gravitational attraction on full moon days causes the tide to rise consistently, in the same way the amniotic fluid (being largely made up of water) would respond to the laws of physics. It is then drawn outward, causing the sac to rupture and labor.
- The second theory instead is based on the life cycle. Let me explain, a woman's life cycle is divided into phases, just like the lunar cycle. The first phase of childhood and adolescence would correspond to the growing moon. The phase of maximum splendor with the full moon; the phase of menopause and aging with the waning moon and death with the new moon. The adult woman and mother correspond to the phase of maximum splendor, therefore the full moon would recall the fullness of living and becoming a mother, triggering labor.
Influences of the moon on childbirth
But are there any scientific studies that confirm or disprove these theories? Several studies have dealt with the veracity or otherwise of theinfluence on the The two main births were conducted in the United States and Belgium. In the first case, the scientists simply recorded the number of parts in the various phases of the moon, all observed for sixty-two cycles.
The second study, on the other hand, was conducted by a midwife who, after having witnessed labor and births both at home and in the hospital, came to evaluate the relationship between about 3000 of these and the phases of the moon. The conclusions? Both have not highlighted no relationship between full moon and labor. Or, there is no scientifically demonstrable proof that the phases of the moon and especially the full moon can influence birth.
Why then is this such a widespread belief?
- I can make some assumptions. The moon is a satellite that has always fascinated both men of literature and scientists because of its characteristics. Furthermore, the fear of the dark is atavistic in man and therefore the only lighthouse in the night, the moon, somehow acquires a guiding meaning. And let's not forget that the laws of physics show that the moon is capable of influencing many things, including the tide. In short, the myth of the power of the moon involves all spheres of human life.
- In my experience I can say that there have been full moon nights in which there have actually been many parties, while others have not. Frankly I don't think there is a real correlation, but I like to leave a little bit of poetry and mystery both towards the moon and towards the event of childbirth.. The magic in this case is all of the birth, not of our satellite.
