What if the approach of the full moon significantly increased your chances of giving birth? The Moon has always been shrouded in mystery and superstition, especially when it comes to femininity. One such belief suggests that the night sky’s celestial body triggers childbirth, sometimes even premature labor. But what’s the truth? What does science say? Do you really have a higher chance of welcoming your baby on a full moon night, or not?
SUMMARY:
- More births at the full moon—where does this belief come from?
- A spike in births when the Moon is full? No convincing statistics
- How to calculate and predict your baby’s due date?
- The Moon’s effects on our body: beyond childbirth
More births at the full moon—where does this belief come from?
Since the beginning of your pregnancy, you’ve heard plenty of stories about your unborn child. Eating saltier foods would increase your chances of having a boy. A baby bump carried pointed means a girl is on the way. Sleeping on your stomach could be dangerous for your baby… But, has anyone ever told you that full moon nights encourage a spike in the number of births?
Throughout history and across many cultures, mainly because a woman’s menstrual cycle averages 28 days and a lunar cycle spans 29 days, menstruation, fertility, and lunar phases have been closely associated. For centuries, shamans, priestesses, and healers have watched the moon when giving birth, believing that the gravitational pull of the Moon—responsible for ocean tides—could also cause the water to break, therefore increasing the number of births on those nights.
As for lithotherapy, it encourages women seeking motherhood to wear a moonstone around their neck.
Between the Moon and fertility: a story of women, energy, and cycles
Since the dawn of time, women have observed and celebrated the cycles of the moon, associating them closely with their own biological rhythms, their strengths, and especially fertility. The world of witchcraft is also filled with witches invoking the Moon and its powers. All these beliefs and symbols continue to fuel the mystical connection between lunar cycles and femininity to this day.
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Does the harmonization of the menstrual cycle with the lunar cycles really exist?
Although it’s true both cycles have similar durations, the female cycle is influenced by many genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, which makes it different for every woman and even change over time. Additionally, scientific work so far has not found any obvious direct link. Thus, the study led by Claude Gronfier at the CRNL (Lyon Neuroscience Research Center) indicates a possible but weak synchronicity, which still needs to be confirmed.
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The symbolism of the moon in representations of fertility and motherhood
Since Antiquity, the Moon has been connected to femininity, fertility, the cycles of life, to different deities, and therefore to menstruation and pregnancy. This powerful symbolism has persisted through the centuries and still influences our collective imagination.
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Can the Moon’s pull have any effect on amniotic fluid?
Although it’s an interesting idea that the moon’s gravitational force could affect the amniotic sac in the same manner as it does the ocean, this is not scientifically founded, especially because the pregnant woman’s body protects the baby quite effectively—including from gravitational variations.
A spike in births when the Moon is full? No convincing statistics
The most in-depth study on the subject was conducted by Jill M. Arliss, Erin N. Kaplan, Shelley L. Galvin by analyzing over 560,000 births between 1997 and 2001, covering 62 lunar cycles.
No significant differences in the number of births, delivery methods, or labor complications were observed, regardless of the current lunar phase. So, the full moon does not influence the number of births, whether it’s spontaneous labor, premature births, or C-sections.
At the end of the 1970s, a Spanish study came to nearly the same conclusion. The lunar cycle showed no influence on birth rates during the period studied (between 1974 and 1978).
| 💡 Note: While hormones such as oxytocin, prostaglandins, and estrogens play a central role in triggering labor, we must admit that not all aspects of the process are yet understood, which encourages the persistence of various beliefs, such as the idea that the Moon influences birth rates. |
Why, as an expectant mother, it’s tempting to believe
As with everything we don’t fully understand, and which remains somewhat mysterious, it feels natural to want to believe that an event as mysterious as the birth of a child could be linked to such a fascinating and secretive celestial body as the Moon.
The idea that births are more frequent on full moon nights is deeply rooted in our collective imagination. If you know several moms who delivered on a full moon evening, you’ll automatically believe there’s a connection. This is a cognitive bias called confirmation bias, which pushes us to favor information that confirms our beliefs and explains why the legend is so persistent, even without scientific evidence.
How to calculate and predict your baby’s due date?
Of course, you can count lunar cycles and hope for your baby’s birth during one of them. But for a more reliable and especially accurate estimate, trust the EDD (Estimated Due Date) your OB-GYN provides. The calculation is simple: to the first day of your last period, add 41 weeks.
Also remember that during your first prenatal ultrasound, the crown-rump length of the fetus will be measured, allowing your doctor to give you a precise due date.
💟 Do you already know when your baby will arrive? Time to get ready! Bottles, pacifier, crib, stroller, onesies or diapers—you need plenty of supplies to welcome your child. At Élhée, with our collections 100% dedicated to your child, we offer you the opportunity to do so with beauty and safety.
The Moon’s effects on our body: beyond childbirth
Mood swings, trouble sleeping, werewolves appearing, increased accidents or news stories... full moon nights are often accused of stirring up all sorts of troubles.
Our biological clock, for example, is sensitive to many factors, including sunlight but also moonlight, which could be linked to lighter sleep and/or difficulty falling asleep.
Lunar phases may also be linked to mood or energy swings or heightened emotions, but this association remains unclear. The impact of the full moon is more likely indirect and related to other factors such as circadian rhythms, hormones, or personal beliefs.
We cannot conclude that there are more births during the full moon, nor is it easy to prove a causal link between the full moon and insomnia or irritability. Yet in common folklore, popular beliefs, as well as in movies, TV shows, and fantastic stories, the Moon has—and probably always will have—a powerful and unique aura, shrouded in legends and mystery.
