The birth rituals traditionally start with the pregnancy period itself. First-born sons continue to be particularly desired in the Egyptian culture. "The family makes sure that wishes are made and alms are paid to the poor. They carry out a list of events from visiting shrines to slaughtering lamb and sheep," said Malak Yakan, an anthropologist.

If the mother looks healthy, full of life and happy it is assumed that she is expecting a boy. If her face and body are covered with rashes or there is discoloring or redness, then the mother is thought to carry a girl. By the time the mother is six months along in the pregnancy, the shape of her belly is thought to indicate the gender of the future baby. "Perfectly round bellies indicated a boy while those that are not predict a girl. The celebrations starts from the time the family becomes aware of the gender of their baby," added Yakan. 

By the seventh month, the women’s parents are responsible for preparing the clothes and other baby items. According to Yakan "The number seven is considered important to the Egyptians because it is considered a lucky number. Normally, seven sets of clothes, socks, hats for boys and small scarves for girls, diapers, are made and sent as gifts to the baby." 

Earrings, necklaces and bracelets of gold are bought for the girls. Talisman, written prayer rolls that are sometimes placed in gold or silver cases decorated with precious stones are also bought for the baby for protection against the evil eye, bad spirits, and diseases. "These would be pinned down to the babies clothes or placed in the bed or close to the baby," said Yakan. 

The family makes sure that other essentials like soap, cleansing powder, herbal medicine and powdered, crystallized sugar (nabat) are placed in small white bags, made from silk if they can afford to do so.  The new mother and her husband’s family are notified in advance for delivery time of these gifts, and once everything is ready, all of the items are placed in bags with candies and sweets like nougat, gold and silver coins in between the items. 

Once the baby is born, it is washed in warm water and dressed in a long white cotton dress. "A specially blessed safety pin with prayers is normally attached to the headgear to frighten the bad spirits," added Yakan. 

On the seventh day, the Sebou’ celebration starts with the baby taking a bath and then getting dressed in a new outfit. The mother and the women of the family are responsible for preparing a feast and cooking the Aqiqah (the slaughtered sheep or lamb). “The event starts by scattering salt on the mother and around the house to keep the evil eye away. Then, the baby is placed in a decorated container where he or she is taken for a tour in the family home, followed by members of the family carrying candles,” said Yakan.

During this ceremony, the mother the steps over the baby seven times without touching it, while older women make loud noises to make the baby aware of sounds. “Grandparents shake the baby horizontally and give him orders to obey only their family “added Yakan. 

Finally after the meal, the bags full of candies, sweets, nougat, gold and silver coins are distributed to all attendees. 

Through it all, the baby seems somewhat unimpressed

Traditionally, this occasion was used for naming the newborn children, circumcising boys and piercing the ears of girls. Today these practices are only done in the urban centers and in most cases take place separately from the Sebou' ceremony on the seventh day.