For some country, over population is one of the main problems why this world. Some families even have 8-10 offspring. But there are others who wishes to have a son or a daughter, even just one. But unfortunately, fate has not been that good to them. So science, as it does its part in making life easier and providing answers to our inquisitions, did some research. They founded the science of insemination, artificially. They did the the science of test tube babies, the science of spermaiogenics. Although this resulted to valid outcomes, they failed to provide 100% success. Some bore a child but has diseases, some have impaired vision, small brains, big heads, and some failed to even bore a child.
But even before this sciences were invented, people have already learned they own ways, the ways of nature and of faith. In many parts of the world, there are rituals done for the hopes of bearing a child. In China, they believed that a certain style of acupuncture can help a woman increase her chances of becoming pregnant if the needles are to be put on the exact aura spots of our body.
In the Philippines, the people put their faith on the mighty being and her servant, the patron of the hopeless mother - Sta. Clara. It is by through a festival called Sayaw sa Obando (Dance of Obando} that they show her and ask her to grant them a child through dancing. The dancing is done for consecutive days. It is held every May 17, 18 and 19. This is not an erratic dance but rather a dance for the saints, and therefore will not give any bad effects if you are already pregnant.
There is also an ancient belief in the Roman Empire that if you sleep under the full moon on the first day of your honeymoon, you will bore a daughter and if you had your first honeymoon in the morning, it will be a baby boy.
These beliefs, although not proven by science, still attracts many people to engage in and still is still widely celebrated. Many are still hoping that what science cannot do, faith can.