Does the full moon play on childbirth?

We already knew the influence of the full moon on sleep or mood but did you know that there is also a myth concerning the full moon and childbirth?

Since the dawn of time, the sun and the moon have fueled the most fanatical beliefs in humans. Sometimes protective, sometimes devastating, the myths that govern around them are diverse and varied and find their origine in the questions of our ancestors on the nature of these stars, visible to the naked eye but untouchable and immutable.

While many of these beliefs have been forgotten over time, one of them has stood the test of time: the existence of an influence from the moon on fertility, childbirth and more generally, on maternity. Where is she from ? For millennia, the gods of fertility are systematically associated with the moon. Chandra in Indian mythology, Artemis in Greek mythology, Mama Quilla in Inca mythology, etc.

The moon, symbol of fertility

The reason for an association between the moon and motherhood is undoubtedly linked to the existence of a concordance between lunar cycles and menstrual cycles. A menstrual cycle in women lasts on average 28 days, while a lunar cycle lasts, meanwhile, about 29 days. Simple coincidence?

Remember however that each woman is different and that the duration of her menstrual cycle sometimes varies from simple to double: 21 to 56 days ! At this scale, they are therefore no longer in agreement with the lunar phases.

According to the legend, the moon also has an effect on fertility. Also, to have a baby, some couples even go so far as to increase their sexual intercourse during the full moon or new moon, in order to maximize their chances.

Deliver during the full moon

It’s at childbirth that beliefs are the most prevalent. Indeed, there is a myth that there are more full moon deliveries than usual. Some pregnant women who are a few days away and impatient to give birth are very hopeful that the full moon will help them get there faster. On moms forums, there are as many convinced as skeptics.

“My sister-in-law gave birth on August 25, 2009, it was a full moon and her delivery was scheduled for September 2.”

“I gave birth on June 26, 2010, the day of the full moon. One of my sisters also gave birth to her 2 boys on a new moon day. So the influence of full moons and new moons on childbirth, I believe. ”

“Big depression today because I was counting on the full moon, but still no baby in sight!”

“I gave birth on a full moon night and the midwives confirmed that there were more deliveries the previous two days and the two days following the full moon. I believe it."

“It’s the full moon, I’m 4 days away and still nothing! I don't really believe in this stuff. My mother told me about it, one of her colleagues who also worked in maternity told me that she found that there were more births 2-3 days before and after the full moon… To see. ”

Influence of the moon on childbirth: what science says

As is the case with many myths, it is sometimes difficult to disentangle the true from the false, since the hypotheses put forward rest primarily on on human beliefs. The science having evolved considerably since the time of the Greek gods and gods, we can today rule in favor or against this conviction (which many health professionals around the world believe!). No offense to those who grant the moon divinatory virtues, it would seem that it does in reality no influence on childbirth …

Through various studies, many researchers have set out to demonstrate a causal link between the moon and the onset of childbirth, and the results are final. In 2005 was published, in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a very complete study carried out on the observation of 564,039 non-triggered births. For five years, researchers at the Moutain Area Health Education Center in North Carolina, the study authors, have documented deliveries in sixty-two lunar cycles. Their conclusions could not be more clear: "Analysis of five years of data has shown no predictable influence of the lunar cycle on childbirth or complications. As expected, this ubiquitous myth is not based on evidence." This closes the debate, even if it is nicer to continue to believe that the moon does play a role on our body!

Role of the moon in childbirth: a myth that we want to believe

You will certainly find in your entourage a woman who will tell you that when her baby is born, the full moon played a role. She is even persuaded of it and will not want to believe in your ready-made scientific explanation. And who could blame him … myths and legends have the precious function of making us dream because they are based on inexplicable elements, in a world where everything has to be to exist. Only personal belief wins and the birth of a full moon is one of them.

Would there be a little psychological effect in there? Certainly yes. Remember that we are more inclined to believe something that is in line with our assumptions and preconceived ideas than another that would go completely the opposite, this is called confirmation bias. Someone who is very Cartesian is unlikely to believe that there is any role the moon plays in childbirth, fertility or motherhood, or even in fairies and mermaids.

No matter, if you believe in it and you're just trying to have a baby, arm yourself of a lunar calendar and book your evening (and your night) with your dear and tender during the full moon evenings. Who knows, the moon could give you a little boost!