I am having a Hawaii theme baby shower for my sister and would like to know how the ancient Hawaiian women handled pregnancy and child birth?
The mother’s diet during pregnancy was regulated from the fourth month. She would eat greens and herbs to build up her baby’s body and stayed away from salty foods. After the sixth month she would cut back on her diet so that the baby does not gain too much weight because a large baby causes a difficult birth. When the contractions began it was declared the day of confinement for the pregnant woman. Her many relatives gathered and she was encouraged to walk around until the pain became intense. She then took a kneeling position with both knees apart. No Hawaiian woman dared scream in pain while giving birth or she would be shamed in front of her family. During the birth the Kahuna Ho-Ohanau, which is like a modern day midwife, examined and assisted the mother-to-be during the birth. If the baby was in the wrong position he oiled his hands with kukui oil and manipulated it. During the birth the Kahuna Ho-Ohanau would send someone to the beach to get morning glory leaves which some was g
