How The Moon Phase Can Influence Childbirth

The magical Moon is credited with the increase in early deliveries and the appearance of complications. Scientific evidence has found no link between lunar phases and childbirth.

Mothers and astrologers will insist that the influence of the moon phase on childbirth is real. However, for doctors and other specialists it is part of the fantasies that surround both the moon and pregnancy.

The moon is the protagonist of many myths and beliefs. Its brilliance has inspired magicians and poets. Pregnancy, that extraordinary miracle of creating new life, is also exposed to many legends inspired by the magical satellite that haunts planet Earth.

However, scientific evidence clearly indicates that there is no influence of the moon phase on labor.

The moon does influence, but not in childbirth

The moon influences the fluctuation of the tides. However, the rise or fall of the tides is not solely the responsibility of the gravity of the moon. The gravity of the Sun and the Earth are also part of the movement of the great masses of oceanic waters.

This influence of the moon on liquids also affects plants. Since ancient times, ancient peoples of all latitudes have taken into account the lunar phases to initiate the sowing of crops and to reap the harvest.

The lunar influence continues to be taken into account in modern agriculture. Indeed, for activities such as fishing and fruit growing, the moments of greatest lunar luminosity are taken into account, since they facilitate some activities.

On the other hand,  the 28-day lunar calendar coincides with the regular menstrual cycle of women, with which the moon has become the protagonist of most of the fertility myths of many civilizations and cultures. However, we must remember that it is only a coincidence, and that the terrestrial satellite has nothing to do with menstruation.

The moon phase in childbirth

There is a belief that the moon phase can influence childbirth. For this reason, many people continue to be interested in the subject. However, nothing could be proven scientifically. 

In effect, it is just a belief. According to this, changes from one moon phase to another can affect the time of delivery:

• New Moon.  It is said that deliveries tend to be quick and easy. The membranes often break on their own during labor. However, one day before the new moon, deliveries can supposedly be very long and difficult.
• Crescent quarter.  The gradual advance of labor and continuous dilation make the mother aware that the baby is going to be born. Each of the phases of labor say that it occurs in due time, so it can be the ideal moon phase to give birth.
• Full moon. It is said that it is the lunar phase in which more births occur, since deliveries are earlier. There are premature ruptures of membranes and unfavorable conditions in the cervix. This leads to longer and more laborious labor according to this belief.
• Last quarter. There are usually few deliveries. You find more torn bags with the stained amniotic fluid. They say that deliveries occur in which you have to invest a lot of energy and patience to wait for the baby to be born.

The moon, childbirth and science

Be that as it may, scientific research runs counter to popular belief.

In studies published in different scientific journals in the United States, Spain, Germany, Italy and India, between 2005 and 2012, the information of millions of births was collected and contrasted with the lunar cycles of the registered study years, and this belief was refuted.

The evidence found by different researchers is that there is no link between the influence of the moon phase on labor, the increase or decrease in deliveries or the appearance of complications.

The most important research that has been carried out in this regard is an analysis of 4,071,166 births that occurred in southwestern Germany, in which no link was found between births and lunar phases. More than 4 million, an important number to clear doubts!

Conclution?

It is not proven that the moon exerts any kind of influence on the human body in general, not even during menstruation or during pregnancy. Therefore, although it sounds interesting and mysterious, what is said about it in the popular sphere is not scientifically supported.

It is your decision to believe that the moon phase can somehow determine what your delivery will be like.

Finally, remember that if you have prepared yourself to conscientiously carry out labor and a natural birth, the moon will not affect how your baby will arrive in the world.