Curious Cultural Fertility Practices and Traditions Around The World

For centuries, old wives’ tales and cultural traditions have been passed down from generation to generation regarding fertility. In some cultures, it’s believed that there are certain fertility-boosting practices and rituals that women can do to increase their likelihood of conceiving.

While the following practices have not been scientifically proven or widely recommended, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate these cultural practices and revel in the fertility traditions passed down by ancestors around the world.

*Please note: The Cincinnati Birth Center cannot be held accountable regarding the use of the following information. If you’re unsure if something is right for you and your baby, please consult your doctor.

Naples, Italy | The Miracle Chair

Said to have been owned by St. Maria Francesca of the Five Wounds of Jesus, the ‘miracle chair’ is believed to help women who are trying to become pregnant. The chair itself sit in a room that’s adorned with ‘miracle baby’ photos. Traditionally, hundreds of women will wait in line to sit in the Miracle Chair and be blessed by a nun. The nun will then cross the women who sit in the chair and the stomachs of those who want to become pregnant. 

France | Victor Noir’s Grave
Once a 19th-century political journalist, Victor Noir’s tomb sits in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France. It has become a symbol of fertility. Rumour has it that if you kiss the statue atop the tombstone’s lips, place a flower in his hat, and rub the mysterious bulge in his pants it will bring enhanced fertility and wonderful sex life.

Latin America | Maya Abdominal Massage

Maya Abdominal massage is a traditional healing technique that has been believed to boost fertility. It focuses on aligning the uterus and encouraging optimal lymph and blood flow. The Maya believe a woman’s enter is her uterus. Don Elijo Panti says, “If a woman’s uterus is out of balance, so is she.”

Hungary | The Watering of The Girls

Each Easter in Holloko, Hungary, people gather for The Watering of the Girl festival. This celebration dates back to the 2nd century and features the throwing of buckeyes of water over young women as a fertility ritual. Women will dress in traditional costume and gather in the streets where local men will shower them with buckets of water believed to bestow fertility on them. 

China | Bird’s Nest Soup
For thousands of years, a traditional Chinese aphrodisiac dish sometimes called “birds’ nest soup” has been used to impregnate women. The soup is made from the saliva of cave-dwelling birds called swiftlets and can be extremely expensive to acquire. This tradition has evolved from a soup to food and drink additives in order to appeal to westernized markets.

Rome, Italy | Beetle Juice Shots

In the era of the ancient Roman empire, an aphrodisiac was prepared from the Blister Beetle. People would squash this poisonous bug into a juice-like concoction, which would cause swell and inflammation of the genital area. While popular at the time, this fertility boosting tactic could cause horrific and potentially fatal side effects once ingested.

Africa | Insect Food

Many African tribes once placed a high value on insect food, such as beest, wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths, crickets, dragon flies, and termites. These insects were sought after and relished by tribes throughout Africa. They are rich in fat soluble factors found in blood, organ meats, fish, and butterfat. Even those tribes who were typically vegetarian would practice the feeding of these special foods during gestation and lactation.

Are you and your partner trying to conceive? The Cincinnati Birth center offers no cost one-on-one fertility consultations to help you prepare for your family planning journey. Contact us to learn more about how you can schedule a consultation with one of our team member’s.

Sources:
femSense Team. “Old Wives´ Tales and Myths on How to Get Pregnant.” FemSense, FemSense Team, 18 Jan. 2019, https://www.femsense.com/blog/wives-tales/. 

Intent.com. “Maya Massage: A Healing Practice Every Woman Should Know.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 16 Mar. 2013, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/maya-massage_b_2388751. 

Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, et al. “Out of Africa: What Dr. Price Dr. Burkitt Discovered in Their Studies of Sub-Saharan Tribes.” The Weston A. Price Foundation, 22 Nov. 2016, https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/traditional-diets/out-of-africa-what-dr-price-dr-burkitt-discovered-in-their-studies-of-sub-saharan-tribes/.