Quick, what’s the English translation of the Filipino word “paglilihi”? Take your time. Think harder. None? Don’t worry, there appears to be no accepted translation, which led some to suggest that “paglilihi might be an Asian, if not solely Filipino, thing.”
Perhaps the nearest equivalent to paglilihi is “food craving” during pregnancy. According to an article, “nobody is sure why some women have pregnancy food cravings. Some experts say cravings, and their flip side, food aversions, are protective, even if there is no scientific data to back up that theory.” I always thought that with the mix-up of hormones during pregnancy, it was understandable for my wife to have food cravings.
Our concept of paglilihi, however, is broader than food cravings among pregnant women. Paglilihi could also refer to matters or things other than food. We have this notion, regardless of whether such belief is baseless or not, that what a pregnant woman craves somehow has an effect on the unborn child.
A pregnant woman who craves black-colored foods would have a dark-skinned baby. A pregnant woman who likes to look at handsome or beautiful men/women will have a handsome/beautiful baby (and, mind you, the reverse is also believed to be true). The list goes on, and perhaps you could tell us what you’ve actually witnessed.
Now, going back to paglilihi as food cravings, I was lucky that the only food craving my wife had was McDo cheeseburger (at least this is the only “official” food craving, but that’s according to her). It could not be any cheeseburger, only McDo (they could be that specific, and much more). Good thing McDo is everywhere. She once asked me to buy Red Ribbon mamon, but she said that it was not a food craving (besides, she made me eat the mamon). I’ve heard about food cravings that are much worse, both in the kind of food and the time of the day demanded (ok, “requested”). You could, again, tell us what’s your experience with your significant other.
While a medical explanation of paglilihi would be good, it doesn’t really matter, so long as you’d want to make the pregnancy of your partner more comfortable. Your pregnant partner is undergoing so many changes (physical, hormonal, etc) during pregnancy and the least you could do is get what she craves for. Besides, when there are discussions on paglilihi, such as this article, you’ll feel OP (out of place) if your partner did not undergo this exciting process. Happy hunting.
gud pm po 7 weeks na po akong naglilihi hindi naman po ako nagsusuka pero hindi po makakain hirap po ako maglihi ngayon lagi po akong nanghihina at inaantok dati po kasi hindi ganito ang naramdaman ko apat na po ang anak ko pero wala po ako naramdaman na hirap sa paglilihi dito lang po kaya pakiramdam ko po first time mommy ko anu po bang puede ko inumin or gawin para makakain ako ng maayos baka po kasi makasama sa baby ko ito maraming salamat po inaasahan ko po ang inyong kasagutan
Jennifer, I strongly suggest you consult an OB-Gyne. We’re not doctors and we can’t give any medical advice. When it comes to your baby, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
This is also about paglilihi but in a different point of view. I was thinking of this thing just 2 days ago, I was always puzzled by this thing why there are such things and above the rest it is believed to be an ancient occurrence specifically in Asia. I believed that there should be a scientific or metaphysical explanation regarding this matter. Please email me if anyone here have an idea how this thing called paglilihi affects the child before and after birth, also if anyone knows some one who has been in a paglilihi that does more than craving of the food. Here is my email bernsteiner88@yahoo.com thank you.
That’s really interesting! So if anyone knows about it please share you post, i am so curious to know
Thank you in advanced
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alam nyo guys nasa isip lang natin ang paglilihi.. hindi naman totoo ang paglilihi.. sabi ko nga nasa isip lang talaga.. psychological lang talaga.. kya nga napapangiti na lang ako sa mga comment ng iba.. kesho ganyan daw,ganun.. hay naku.. nasa isip kasi kaya ganun..
What an timely article. It’ amazing how you distill your point and make it easy to understand! Thank you!