A funeral is a tough event for every person.
They are not well tolerated by all.
Pregnant women are sometimes forced to visit them, but is it possible for pregnant women to attend funerals?
Can pregnant women attend funerals - past generations
In olden times, the funeral took place not only among the family, the departed's departure could be accompanied by the whole village, clan. It was a huge procession, filled with sorrow and despondency. In the past, the role of women was somewhat different than now.
When the husband was dying, the wife was obliged to take her beloved to the last journey, and she accompanied him until burial. At such a moment, the question of whether it is possible for pregnant women to attend a funeral did not sound. It was the widow's duty to honor the memory of the deceased husband.
When the head of the family died, some nations allowed pregnant women not to attend the funeral. After all, the death of a loved one is already stress, and even not all pregnant women could survive the burial process itself due to psychological characteristics.
In the last century, when wars took place in Europe one after another and a huge number of people were buried, it was not necessary to attend the funeral. They began to believe that it was enough for pregnant women to honor the memory of the deceased, to visit him before burial or during the funeral service. But in most cases, the absence of a pregnant widow at the funeral was denounced.
Can pregnant women in the cemetery - where do superstitions come from
Returning to the experience of past decades, if the widow was not present at her husband’s funeral, then this was considered a sin, a sign of disrespect, and many women, even in a terrible state of health and spirit, were forced to attend the funeral. What did this lead to? This led to miscarriages as a result of the stress that the pregnant woman suffered.
Of course, a woman could be nervous at home and lose a child, but the atmosphere of a funeral leads her into a depressed state, at this time the risk of premature birth increases. However, grief does not always happen on the same day. And not always the stress suffered at the funeral leads to a miscarriage. It can provoke a fading pregnancy, a lag in the development of the fetus.
Why does this happen? The thing is that increased stress loads for pregnant women are contraindicated. A funeral is a period of sadness, tears and grief, and pregnancy is happiness and joy. Due to the negative consequences for pregnant women as a result of attending funerals of past years, certain superstitions have developed.
For many, the question is whether pregnant women should not be at a funeral - absolutely not. But what if the house is even worse? What to do? If a woman visited the burial place and did not know what was expecting a baby? How will this affect her baby? If she winds herself up with superstitions and other negative things, then she will obviously get a negative result for her health and the health of the baby.
Can pregnant women attend a funeral? What to do if necessary?
Sometimes there are situations when pregnant women just need to attend a funeral. What to do to make everything go smoothly? In cases where there is no one else to take the deceased to the last journey, or it is customary in the family that the wife and mother attend the funeral, it is worth asking someone from friends or relatives who is constantly next to the pregnant woman.
At such moments, expectant mother especially needs support. You can not let a woman sink into depression and bring herself to hysteria. This is much more dangerous than the death of a loved one. Such mental conditions can cause grieving relatives, other people. In order not to harm the child, it is worth asking everyone who will be present at the funeral to support the living and show full respect to the pregnant woman.
A pregnant woman may be present at the funeral service, she does not have to stand surrounded by crowds, just pray and have compassion. Having thrown, according to tradition, a handful of earth into the grave, she should not identify herself with the deceased. Psychologists say that at such moments many living people want to go into the next world after the dead. Pregnant women should not even allow such thoughts. They should be happy that they remain alive and all is well with their unborn children.
In order to postpone the funeral normally, a woman can talk in advance with the Holy Father. He is able to reassure her, suggest what needs to be done and how to behave. This will be exactly the support that the pregnant woman lacks.
It is best to carry ammonia with you in case of loss of consciousness - this happens quite often with pregnant women during a funeral. You should also be wary of evil languages and negative people. Pregnant is better to be surrounded by friends of family and relatives. The so-called evil eye and curses are not scientifically proven, but there have been cases in life when pregnant women felt bad after saying unkind words.
It is better to protect yourself and try to minimize any negative contacts and inquiries. Also, it is better to remember that a funeral is the farewell of the deceased person, and not the lives of all his loved ones. Also, it is worth consulting with a gynecologist who can prescribe a mild sedative for the pregnant woman. This will become an auxiliary preventive measure against harm to the unborn child.
A funeral is a situation that is objectively independent of others. Can pregnant women attend a funeral? All individually. If a woman feels the need and need for this, then she can attend the funeral, adhering to the elementary rules outlined above.
Do not forbid yourself to see off the loved one and loved one on the last journey, except when it is medically contraindicated. Everything that is done from a pure heart - benefits everyone. A pregnant woman at a funeral under the supervision of loved ones will feel better than at home alone, without support. But each one chooses for herself and no one has the right to force a pregnant woman to attend a funeral.
