As I got closer and closer to my due date with my daughter, I was so invested in anything I read that suggested I may go into labour sooner than later. One of the theories I came across was that a full moon can bring on labour. I asked my midwife about it and she told me that in her experience full moon days were in fact busier than normal for labour and deliveries. I was so intrigued that I began looking more into the research and I found quite a bit of information on the topic. While I did not in fact go into labour on the day of the full moon, I was inspired by the upcoming eclipse to write this blog post! If a full moon has the potential to impact birth, SURELY a full eclipse could have some kind of influence?

With that said, here is some of the information I found during my pregnancy that intrigued me. I hope you enjoy.

In folklore and old wives’ tales, the moon has long been associated with mysterious powers, affecting everything from tides to human behavior. One of the most enduring beliefs is the notion that the lunar cycle influences childbirth. While modern science may cast doubt on such ideas, the intriguing link between the moon and going into labor continues to capture our imagination.

Throughout history, cultures around the world have woven tales of the moon’s influence on childbirth. Some ancient civilizations believed that the full moon possessed a special energy, capable of triggering labor in pregnant women. This belief persists in various forms today, with many midwives and expectant mothers swearing by the idea that more babies are born during a full moon.

But is there any scientific basis to this age-old belief? Researchers have attempted to unravel the mystery of the moon’s influence on childbirth, though findings remain inconclusive. Some studies have reported a slight increase in births during full moons, while others have found no significant correlation. Despite advances in medical understanding, the question of whether the moon can induce labor remains largely unanswered.

One theory suggests that the gravitational pull of the moon may play a role in triggering labor. Like the ocean tides, which rise and fall in response to the moon’s gravitational force, some speculate that the same force could affect the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the womb. However, evidence supporting this theory is limited, and many experts remain skeptical.

Another hypothesis proposes that the moon’s influence on human behavior may indirectly impact childbirth. According to this idea, the full moon’s association with heightened emotions and erratic behavior could lead to increased sexual activity, which in turn may result in more conceptions and subsequent births nine months later. While this theory offers a more psychological explanation for the lunar connection to labor, it still lacks concrete evidence.

Despite the lack of scientific proof, the belief in the moon’s role in childbirth persists in many cultures. Personally, it is a comforting notion, providing a sense of connection to the natural world and the cycles of the universe. Others view it as an intriguing mystery, a reminder of the countless phenomena that science has yet to fully explain.

In the end, whether or not the moon truly influences childbirth may remain a matter of personal belief. For me and many others, the anecdotal evidence of more births during full moons is enough to lend credence to the idea. This, in conjunction with what I know about menstrual cycles and the relationship to the moon, makes me feel confident that there is in fact some sort of relationship happening between childbirth and the moon cycles. For others, the absence of scientific proof is reason enough to dismiss it as mere superstition.

Regardless of one’s stance on the matter, the relationship between the moon and going into labor continues to fascinate and intrigue. It serves as a reminder of the enduring power of folklore and the mysteries that still surround the natural world. Whether science will ever unravel the truth behind this ancient belief remains to be seen. In the meantime, the moon will continue to cast its ethereal glow over the mysteries of childbirth, inspiring wonder and curiosity for generations to come.

I know this blog was a little different than my normal content but nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed reading about the lunar connection and my personal beliefs on the matter. For me and many other moms, as we approach the end of pregnancy, it is fun to delve deeper into the folklore surrounding birth and labour as a way to keep us hopeful that we are soon going to meet our precious babies! With the upcoming eclipse, I thought this was a really fun topic and it was so enjoyable to write and research.

If you are pregnant or approaching your due date, I hope this inspires you to look up the full moon dates during “baby month” and see whether you end up going into labour on that day. If you do, be sure to leave a comment! If you are a mom and delivered your baby on a full moon, let me know in the comments also!