Can pregnant women go to church? The clergy give an unequivocal answer to this question - “Of course, you can!” Pregnant women are not only allowed to visit the temple, but also necessary. Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko recently spoke about this. If a woman observes fasting, then during this period she can attend church, but eat, first of all, wisely, and not for the purpose of full compliance with fasting.
The priest recommends praying as often as possible. During fasting, pregnant women also need to refrain from watching entertaining television shows and films. You need to be kind, merciful, responsive to loved ones, excluding judgment on your part towards others. You can’t quarrel with other people and get irritated over any reason while waiting for the long-awaited arrival of your child.
The origins of prohibitions and modern times
There are many prejudices regarding pregnancy. Illiterate people convince a pregnant woman that she should not go to church. This opinion is due to the fact that they themselves interpret faith and religion. Their opinions are based on myths, fairy tales and sermons of clergy.
We can say that the first bans on visiting church for pregnant women appeared when people strongly believed in damage and the evil eye. In those days, girls were not even allowed out of the house so that they would not look indecent.
However, times have changed now and women are not prohibited from attending church. There are even prayers that can make the upcoming birth easier.
Every girl in a position has the right to decide for herself whether to attend church or not.
When should an expectant mother refuse baptism?
In order to be baptized, you need to gain faith in Jesus Christ and study the basic issues of Orthodox teaching. In order to avoid the baptism of people who follow fashionable trends or because it is customary, the church has approved mandatory public conversations. The priest tells people the basics of faith, the features of spiritual life, and learns about the reasons that prompted a person to be baptized. All these points are mandatory for pregnant women. Public conversations will help a woman to better understand the sacrament of baptism, its goals and objectives, to assess how much she internally agrees to take responsibility for her life and give up sinful habits.
A pregnant woman should not be baptized if she does not feel the inner desire and need to live according to Christian principles. And if there is a desire, but pregnancy is difficult to bear with many ailments and serious pathologies, then it would be more prudent to participate in the sacrament under more favorable circumstances.
In each church, public conversations take place differently: collectively or individually, one meeting or a series of meetings, etc.
Doctors' opinion
Doctors are convinced that before going to church, the expectant mother should take into account her well-being.
If she is advised to remain in bed, it is better to refuse to go to the temple. As a last resort, you can come in for a minute to light a candle.
There may also be the following dangers in the temple:
- The church may be too stuffy, causing discomfort. This can cause headaches, a sharp rise in blood pressure and even fainting. To avoid such an unpleasant situation, you should visit spacious temples in which the premises are well ventilated. Girls should also stand close to the door or window.
- Long standing. Church services last for hours. If a pregnant woman defends them, it can cause lower back pain and swelling of the legs. It is better to sit down on a bench at the first sign of discomfort.
- Strong odors. Temples often smell of incense. In addition, there is the smell of burning candles. If a pregnant girl is having an episode of morning sickness, these aromas can cause severe discomfort, including nausea and vomiting. If the aromas in the temple irritate you, leave the premises.
- Lack of sanitary standards. Considering the tradition of kissing icons and receiving communion from shared utensils, there is a high probability of contracting an infection. Even minor herpes in the early stages of pregnancy can cause dangerous consequences for both the expectant mother and the baby. If a pregnant woman attends church, she should refrain from touching her lips to any surfaces in the church. Some people don't even think about the fact that they could be a carrier of a viral infection. Even in the absence of symptoms of the disease, pathogens remain in saliva. If a person sneezes or coughs, he will infect people who are standing nearby. That is why doctors do not advise visiting the temple on major holidays.
If you cannot resist visiting the temple, try to take bottled water with you and do not go alone.
Always take someone with you who you can turn to for help if you feel unwell.
How to take care of yourself during pregnancy
Can pregnant women paint their nails?
Yes, pregnant women can paint their nails! It is better to choose strengthening and maximally safe varnishes. Aggressive varnishes worsen the condition of the nail plate, which during pregnancy can become more fragile and thinner in itself.
In addition, it is not recommended to inhale the smell of nail polish or nail polish remover for a long time if it contains acetone. Therefore, do not forget to ventilate the room after a manicure or entrust your nail care to a specialist in the salon.
Can pregnant women dye their hair?
Hair coloring during pregnancy is a safe procedure. Although after the fifth month it is advisable that the coloring be done by another person (hairdresser, husband, girlfriend).
It is important to consider that hair changes during pregnancy, so a familiar dye can give an unexpected result. Changed hair can also react unpredictably to a perm. Hair changes its properties due to a lack of folic acid, biotin and iron, which are consumed when bearing a child. In order to keep your hair healthy, during pregnancy it is worth taking vitamin complexes to replenish the lack of vitamins.
Vitamin complex Pregnoton Mama contains folic acid, biotin, liposomal iron and vitamin B3, which help prevent hair loss and flaking of the skin, maintaining the health and blooming appearance of the expectant mother during pregnancy.
Can pregnant women get eyelash extensions?
You can extend eyelashes. You just need to take into account that extensions involve lying down for a long time without changing position.
Can pregnant women take a bath and go to the sauna?
If you carefully monitor the temperature and avoid overheating, you can take a bath. The sauna involves overheating, so it is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy, and in the second and third trimester you should use the sauna with caution. However, if a woman tolerated the bath normally before pregnancy, she can visit it, monitoring the temperature, duration of the visit, and her own well-being.
Can a pregnant woman have a massage?
Pregnant women can have a massage. It is important that in the first trimester the massage should be gentle, without strong influences. Throughout pregnancy, massage should not affect the abdomen.
The opinion of clergy
Church workers note that every person who is pure before God can visit temples. Pregnancy is not considered a sin, so a woman carrying a child has every right to enter the church.
Most churches have special icons that protect pregnant women and unborn children. Also, pregnant girls are recommended to regularly confess and receive communion.
A few days before giving birth, it is recommended to come to the temple to ask for blessings from the clergy. This will make childbirth easier, as well as protect the girl and child from emergency situations.
Pregnant women are allowed to perform the following activities in the temple:
- attend services;
- light candles for health;
- ask the priest to celebrate the fortieth day for the health of the girl and baby;
- submit lists for health and peace;
- read prayers aimed at protecting pregnant women;
- participate in rituals.
Some say that girls who conceive a baby without being officially married cannot attend church. This is actually a lie. On the contrary, it will be useful for such girls to go to church to confess and ask God for support.
Is it possible for a pregnant woman to baptize her child?
Baptism is one of the seven sacraments of the church and is of paramount importance as it is a prerequisite for entry into the church and participation in all other sacraments. Through triple immersion in water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, a person receives spiritual birth and is freed from original sin and sins committed before baptism. Spiritual life is just beginning with this sacrament, and baptism itself, without further work on oneself, will not save a person for eternity.
Any person who believes in Christ and His saving teaching can be baptized. For women, participation in the sacrament is limited to the two points listed above. Pregnancy is not an obstacle to the baptism of the woman herself, nor to the possibility of becoming a godmother. To participate in the sacrament, a pregnant woman should not have medical contraindications for physical activity. Depending on where the baptism takes place in a monastery or an ordinary parish church, and also how many people participate at the same time, the ceremony can take 1–4 hours. Throughout this period you need to stand on your feet and hold your godson in your arms. Taking into account the time of year, the size of the baptismal room, the number of people - all these factors can adversely affect the well-being of the pregnant woman.
It is better for a pregnant woman to assess her capabilities and health status in advance before agreeing to the role of godmother.
The requirement for the godmother to hold her goddaughter in her arms throughout the service is an exaggeration. If the ceremony takes a long time and the pregnant godmother is tired, she may well hand over the child to the godfather or another relative present. There are no strict church canons about who should hold a baby and for how long. The only requirement for the godmother will be to accept the baby from the font, and the rest of the time it doesn’t matter who has her in her arms.
Church opinion
The opinion of the church on the issue of the participation of non-idle women in the sacrament of baptism is clear. Pregnancy itself is not a contraindication. Any Russian priest will allow a woman carrying a child at any stage to become a godmother, and also to be baptized herself. The only restrictions are the well-being of the expectant mother.
Video: is it possible for a pregnant woman to baptize her child?
Superstitions
Christianity presupposes faith in light, hope, goodness, love. Superstitions support people's belief in the vain, vain and have no basis. Orthodoxy resolutely rejects prejudices and superstitions, considering them an echo of pagan beliefs.
There are especially many superstitions associated with pregnancy, but none of them have a church or even scientific justification. For example, that an idle godmother takes away her godson’s health. This misconception is not supported by real facts. Or immersing wax with the hair of the person being baptized into the font is completely contrary to the laws of physics. Wax is lighter than water and therefore does not sink in it. The sad thing is that church-going believers manage to combine spiritual life and superstitions. In the Orthodox understanding, belief in omens and superstitions, as well as dreams, is a sin and one must gradually eradicate from oneself this evil, which only interferes with a full life and does not bring any benefit.
Superstition is a vain, i.e., false belief: in signs, omens, fortune-telling, customs..., i.e., idolatry of certain objects and folk legends. The basis of superstition always lies in spiritual ignorance - a lack of correct religious knowledge, frivolity, and most importantly - in weakness or absence of true faith.
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Positive points
A person’s participation in any church sacrament has a beneficial effect on his soul. Provided the expectant mother is in good health, her presence at the baptism as a guest or godmother can bring joy and comfort to both the mother and the baby in the womb. The ambiance of the temple and the soulful prayers will give peace to the pregnant woman and will have a positive effect on the pregnancy process and the health of both.
Let's sum it up
There are many other superstitions related to pregnancy and the church. Detailed summary information will be presented below.
Is it permissible to visit church?
As mentioned earlier, clergy and doctors do not prohibit pregnant women from attending church. But, if you suffer from toxicosis, or feel back pain, it is better to visit churches only to read a prayer and light a candle. Long service should be abandoned.
Is it possible to have a wedding ceremony?
Often girls want to know whether they can or are not allowed to get married while pregnant. The Church is convinced that one should not live unmarried. You can always undergo a wedding ceremony, even if you have children or are pregnant.
Is baptism permissible if the godmother is pregnant?
Church officials do not prohibit pregnant women from baptizing their children. However, there are several factors to consider before making such an important decision. It is important that the girl is confident that she can cope with such a difficult obligation.
The godmother must not just baptize the child. She is now obliged to participate in his upbringing, pray for his godson, and take him to communion.
Now you know whether pregnant women can go to church. In fact, they have the same full right to visit the temple as everyone else. The main thing is that they feel good.
How the Church Treats Pregnant Women
Expecting a child is considered the Lord's miracle, because it was God who sent great grace to a woman - the opportunity to experience the happiness of motherhood and give a new life. Therefore, priests not only do not prohibit pregnant women from coming to church, but, on the contrary, encourage it.
During the service, priests allow a pregnant woman to sit on a chair if she becomes ill: this will not cause condemnation. During the period of religious fasting, pregnant women are also given concessions, deviation from prohibitions or non-observance of fasting is allowed, justified by the health status of the expectant mother. For example, during Lent it is allowed to eat fish, since calcium and phosphorus in sufficient quantities are necessary for the full development of the fetus. The main task of a pregnant woman is to preserve the life and health of the child, the church understands this and does not encourage a woman to go hungry. In this case, spiritual cleansing comes to the fore.
The main thing is the desire to attend church
The main aspect of visiting a temple during pregnancy is the desire of the expectant mother. If you have such a need, there is no need to limit yourself. Sometimes it happens that before pregnancy a girl constantly went to work, but while she is expecting a baby she does not want to do this. There is nothing wrong with this, since in a new position changes occur not only with the body, but also with the soul.
The desire to visit the temple must be sincere; if it is not there, then there is no need to force yourself to go to church. You can pray at home and ask your loved ones to light a candle for you in church.
Is pregnancy a barrier to attending church?
A pregnant woman may hear an outside opinion that in her condition she should not attend church.
Any priest will definitely answer that this “warning” is nothing more than superstition. The fact that a woman is carrying a child does not in any way hinder her, but, on the contrary, favors her in joining the Church Sacraments.
The concept of the “evil eye,” which is why pregnant women are not advised to appear in public, is pagan. In Orthodoxy, it is believed that if a woman lives a full spiritual life and trusts in God, then she should not be afraid of “sideways glances” (prayers against the evil eye and damage can be found at the link). But the question of the need to continue (or start) actively attending church is still decided individually.
It is worth understanding in detail in which cases the expectant mother should go to church, and in which cases she should postpone this event for a while
.
Requirements for future godparents
Being godparents is a huge responsibility before God. When agreeing to an offer to become a child’s foster child, you need to know what the main requirements the church places on candidates and evaluate your compliance with them:
- Only baptized adults living in a registered marriage or living alone can become godparents;
- the chosen people must be churchgoers and live a spiritual life;
- Godparents are obliged to pray for their godchildren, teach them the basics of faith and prayers.
In church practice, the child’s relatives are allowed to act as godparents: grandparents, uncles, aunts, older brothers, sisters and other relatives. External optional rules include purchasing a gift for a godson. Usually, this is a gold or silver cross, an icon, spiritual literature and a prayer book for the little ones. The christening kit is usually prepared by the parents.
For a child’s baptism, you must prepare a baptismal shirt, a towel and candles.
Before accepting an invitation to become a godfather, you need to carefully weigh the full extent of the responsibility. If you have doubts or your conscience does not allow you to agree, you must politely refuse. Unfortunately, it happens that godparents move away from God and neglect their responsibilities towards the godparent. In such a situation, there is no need to provoke a conflict; the church recommends praying for careless people and placing hope in God’s help.
Pregnancy is God's blessing, a great gift. The expectant mother herself must make every effort to bear and give birth to a strong child. The clergy recommend that non-idle women take more care of their spiritual life: pray more often, take up the sacraments. There are no church restrictions on visiting the temple or services, except for periods of female cleansing. A pregnant woman can also become a godmother and be baptized herself, if her health allows.
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Patrons of pregnant women and women in labor
A woman expecting a child can turn in prayer to those saints who are closest to her. It doesn't have to be someone specific. However, there are saints whom expectant mothers and their loved ones usually ask for help in a successful pregnancy and childbirth:
- Holy Mother of God;
- Jesus Christ;
- Matrona of Moscow;
- Blessed Xenia of Petersburg;
- Great Martyr Catherine;
- Venerable Melania the Roman;
- Saints Joachim and Anna.
In the old days, an icon of the saint, the patron saint of pregnant women, was always in the house so that one could pray to him at any time. Nowadays women also do not neglect this rule; they purchase an icon that helps them during pregnancy and childbirth, and keep it among other images, in their purse or under the pillow. In maternity hospitals there are often icons, for example, the Helper in Childbirth, in the wards or delivery rooms.
During childbirth, a woman and her baby also need prayer, but much depends on the state of health and the course of labor. If nothing comes to mind, and there is no opportunity or time for long prayers, you can repeat: “Lord, have mercy! God bless! Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
When to go to church after giving birth?
As you can see, there are practically no restrictions on visiting the temple for a pregnant woman. But for 40 days after giving birth, the mother does not go to church due to postpartum weakness and bloody postpartum discharge. During this period, you need to limit yourself to home prayer. After 40 days, the woman in labor comes to God’s temple and the priest reads a cleansing prayer on the fortieth day. After this, mother can again take part in the Sacraments of the church. A full life of the church can be lived only after cleansing prayers. The Most Holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, also fulfilled this law and brought the Infant Christ to the Jerusalem Temple only on the 40th day.
If a woman who has given birth really needs to go to church before the end of this period, of course, she can go there and pray. But it is possible to venerate the Holy Places and participate in the Sacraments, to live a full church life only after the 40th day from the birth of the child.
Related superstitions
The Orthodox Church rejects prejudices and superstitions. Superstition appears when people have insufficient knowledge about church rituals and canons. People who believe in vain things believe that if a non-idle godmother felt unwell or nauseated during the sacrament of Baptism, she will be disappointed and misunderstood by the people around her. This is not confirmed in any spiritual or scientific sense.
Also, superstitious people believe that if the godmother feels dizzy in church, this signals that the baby will be born inquisitive and will be successful in school. If the birth began right in the church, it means that the baby and godson will be spiritually connected. It is considered a bad sign if the godmother develops a feeling of anxiety in a sacred place. The appearance of melancholy indicates future troubles for the godson.
The baptism of a child creates a spiritual connection between him and his godparents. The expectant mother can feel care and responsibility during this period. There are no church restrictions on the participation of the expectant mother in baptism. The priests advise praying more often and visiting churches.
Is it necessary: pros and cons
Participation in the sacrament of a pregnant woman has many positive aspects:
- develops maternal feelings after communicating with a little godson;
- participation in an event that will evoke positive emotions in the mother and unborn child;
- prayers and songs give peace and grace.
Among the disadvantages of participating in the ritual, it should be noted:
- great responsibility:
- carrying out the event requires endurance and patience;
- You have to hold the baby in your arms for some time.
It is better to refuse the offer to become a godmother to the expectant mother if she has serious health problems. It is also worth refusing to participate in the sacrament of Baptism in late pregnancy. If you have any doubts, you should not agree to the role of godmother.
