Can Eclipses Be Harmful to You or Your Baby During Pregnancy?

Across the globe in many cultures, an eclipse is considered harmful and a bad omen for a pregnant woman. Although there is no scientific proof however since ages it's a belief that it affects the developing baby by causing cleft lip, mental deformity, birthmarks, or facial deformities. Although it’s really hard to find any logical explanation from where these superstitions/myths began. It could be probably about when people were not educated or didn’t know much about eclipses and just for the sake of safety, they started taking precautions.

Common Myths and Facts About Eclipse and Pregnancy

If you or your loved ones are concerned about the eclipse and its effects on the baby then here are some myths vs facts:

Myth- Stay indoors and don’t look at the eclipse with naked eyes

Fact- Not just a pregnant woman, anybody should not try to look at the eclipse with naked eyes. Getting exposed to radiation during pregnancy is quite harmful. It can cause retinal burns and can damage the cone cells and light-sensitive rods. During a solar eclipse, the rays of the sun are too harmful if seen directly whereas a lunar eclipse doesn’t harm your eyes. So, our ancestors were right with this one!

Myth- Don't eat, drink or cook anything during an eclipse

Fact- During an eclipse, the rays of the sun can’t reach the Earth. The low temperature can cause easier multiplication of harmful bacteria, microbes, and germs. As in ancient times, there were no refrigerators, microwaves, or gas stoves, so people used to throw away all the perishable items from their homes after an eclipse. You can ignore this by preparing a meal in advance and taking plenty of rest. Nowadays staying without food and water for a long-time during pregnancy can adversely affect your health by causing headaches, nausea, vomiting, acidity, and fatigue.

Myth- Refrain from using any sharp object (knife, scissors, needle) during an eclipse

Fact- If this was true then all the surgeons around the world would have cancelled their most important surgeries on the day of the eclipse. Each year approximately 3-5 eclipse happens and all the doctors and surgeons can't stop their work because their tools hold great importance during surgery. Elderly of the house used to ask a pregnant woman to avoid using sharp objects during an eclipse because it is also believed that any wound you get during this time takes more time to heal. According to the experts of medical science, your wound heals depending on your platelet interaction.

Myth- Pregnant woman should not touch their belly during the eclipse

Fact- In ancient times, people used to say that if a pregnant woman touches her belly during an eclipse, then it can give an ugly birthmark to the baby. However, the truth is that the birthmarks are caused due to pigmentation or can be genetic.

Myth- To ward off all the negative energy it is essential to take a bath once the eclipse is over

Fact- It is said that an eclipse is a bad omen and to ward off negative energies associated with it some women are advised to take bath after the eclipse. The truth is that eclipse doesn’t charge any kind of energy, it changes the gravitational force of the Earth. To remove negative energies from the body just bathing is not sufficient one must chant and sit in meditation to combat any mood swings or negativity.

Myth- Take rest as much as you can but one shouldn’t sleep

Fact- There is no hard and fast rule that a pregnant woman can’t sleep during pregnancy. If your health is not that good or if you’re in your last trimester it would be difficult for you to stay awake for too long. If the eclipse goes for 4-6 hours long then a pregnant woman can’t stay awake for that long.

Myth- All the food that was prepared before the eclipse should be discarded

Fact- If you are a working woman and packing lunch for your office how is it possible to throw it away? The technology of the modern era saves us from all these discomforts. Nowadays one can prepare meals in advance, can store them and can easily reheat them as per convenience.

Some cultures recommend chanting and meditation to safeguard the well-being of the pregnant woman and the unborn child. To relax your mind, soul, and body you can cover all the windows with a thick newspaper or just simply draw the curtains so that the rays of the moon or the sun cannot penetrate.