Jewish Pregnancy Customs

[Nelle]

I'm not sure I agree with that Mayaness, but then, this isn't even the Christianity thread so I'll digress.

That's an interesting topic SaraJane, looking forward to Yael's answer. Are there many other Jews around on the forums?

[Smoke Jaguar]

I forgot to qualify (actually, had a wriggly child on lap when last posting)...
I was raised a Christian, mainly in Baptist churches, going to youth groups, Sunday School etc, went to Catholic primary and secondary school (my dad's Irish and this was the compromise for not being baptised...I'm such a heathen!).
At school I had an ace RE teacher who knew that I was genuinely interested in these other theological questions, so sent me to an 'open day' at a synagogue in St Kilda, which I thoroughly enjoyed and reported back on. We used to come head to head in RE class all the time and I still can't believe that he respected me enough to send me on that great trip, where I really developed a deep respect for Judaism (and since have also done with Islam and Buddhism).
So, my comments about Christianity and women come from my varied and many experiences within the Christian context. More power to you if you never had to hear this diatribe about a woman's curse etc! I did, and that is my experience. I let go of it long before I fell pregnant and feel better for it.
That's way OT, and just giving background to also wanting to know if this article is a good reflection of the general Jewish approach to pregnancy.
It's the social anthropologist in me

[Dustmite]

So, my comments about Christianity and women come from my varied and many experiences within the Christian context. More power to you if you never had to hear this diatribe about a woman's curse etc! I did, and that is my experience. I let go of it long before I fell pregnant and feel better for it.

As was stated in the previous post, the bible does say that labor will be painful. I know of no woman who can honestly say that child birth was without any pain....it is why man has created drugs for sale during such times

With that said, I do not agree with any individuals/organizations religious interpretation that says there can be no enjoyment in childbirth. I believe pain and enjoyment are not directly tied together - if it was no one would be having children or at least not beyond the first. I believe God still left enjoyment in the entire process from start to beginning, but with the fall of man came a side of childbirth never intended for man kind (i.e. pain WITH enjoyment).

Just my input for what its worth.

[Smoke Jaguar]

SJ's post sums up what I have gathered about modern Christianity's approach to the whole deal. I have also read this elsewhere. I never say 'the Bible' doesn't support women enjoying their bodies and processes, I say 'Christianity' as a tradition, as an institution.
And, honestly, Dustmite...nothing I would honestly call pain in my birth! I know women who enjoyed their births more than I enjoyed my DS's...so there :P
Also, I just can't abide by the thought of birth being relegated to a hardship - it just doesn't align with my experience and those of people I know!