Common customs Somali women follow when they are pregnant

These customs are meant ensure the safety and wellbeing of both a mother-to-be and her unborn baby (Shutterstock)

When a Somali woman falls pregnant, everyone is delighted and her wellbeing becomes a concern of the community. In that regard, the Somali community has a set of customs that they believe ensures the safety and wellbeing of both the mother-to-be and her unborn baby.  Abdia Mohammed, a Somali midwife in Kawangware, however, admits that some of the customs are no longer in practice, especially among Somali women living in the city. Even so, Abdia acknowledges the importance of the customs, sentiments that mama Khadija Hassan, a mother of eight from Syokimau, seconds.

Here are some of the customs Somali women are expected to follow when pregnant