Old traditions and customs are still firmly embedded in most societies today despite the growing modernity and complexity of life. Cultural traditions are still very much alive which may involve choosing your spouse or even avoiding bad luck. There are traditions that surround almost every aspect of our daily living. Even
pregnancy and birth-giving are surrounded with mystified ideas that are often misconceived by many who do not believe in them. Europe may be a very industrialized continent but it is not exempt from these birth traditions that are still believed by many.
Europeans very much believe in pregnant women's cravings. Greeks have the conception that if the craving was not granted, the baby will develop a birthmark that may be in the shape of a fruit or maybe
ice cream. They also have a belief that a pregnant woman should wear a boar's tooth brooch because it will protect her from bad spirits and bring prosperity to her baby. In fact many of these amulets are still being sold in jewelry stores in many areas in Europe.
Pregnant women should likewise keep away from the dead like attending a wake or visiting graveyards. Germans believe that if a pregnant woman steps on a grave, her baby could die. The Russians believe that if a couple confesses their past relationships to each other, the wife won't go through a
difficult labor. Otherwise, the wife would have to put the blame on her husband if she labors with difficulty.
