@narnianchick said:

I'm assuming that the noise the ladies make immediately after John is born (the lolling thing they do with their tongues) has some type of cultural significance, but I'm having trouble finding anything about it online. Can anyone give me some background on that?

Over a year since your question but if you or anyone else is still wondering:

'Ululation is commonly practised in most of Africa, the Middle East, Central-to-South Asia.In indian state of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bengal and Sri Lanka. It is also practiced in a few places in Europe, like Cyprus, and parts of Spain, and among the diaspora community originating from these areas. Ululation also occurs among Mizrahi Jews at all joyous occasions such as at the inauguration of a Torah scroll (hachnasat sefer Torah), brit milah (circumcision),[4] communal celebrations, weddings,[5][6] bar mitzvah[7] celebrations, and most of all at henna celebrations.[8] The cultural practice has spread to other Jews, particularly where members of different Jewish ethnic communities come together, and is also to be found among American Jews.[citation needed] The Modern Hebrew word for ululation is "tsahalulim" (Hebrew: צהלולים). Recordings of various styles of ululations are commonly found in the music of artists performing Mizrahi styles of music. In Morocco it is known as barwalá or youyou.' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ululation

It is also depicted in Lawrence of Arabia IIRC.

@Jacinto Cupboard said:

@narnianchick said:

I'm assuming that the noise the ladies make immediately after John is born (the lolling thing they do with their tongues) has some type of cultural significance, but I'm having trouble finding anything about it online. Can anyone give me some background on that?

Over a year since your question but if you or anyone else is still wondering:

'Ululation is commonly practised in most of Africa, the Middle East, Central-to-South Asia.In indian state of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bengal and Sri Lanka. It is also practiced in a few places in Europe, like Cyprus, and parts of Spain, and among the diaspora community originating from these areas. Ululation also occurs among Mizrahi Jews at all joyous occasions such as at the inauguration of a Torah scroll (hachnasat sefer Torah), brit milah (circumcision),[4] communal celebrations, weddings,[5][6] bar mitzvah[7] celebrations, and most of all at henna celebrations.[8] The cultural practice has spread to other Jews, particularly where members of different Jewish ethnic communities come together, and is also to be found among American Jews.[citation needed] The Modern Hebrew word for ululation is "tsahalulim" (Hebrew: צהלולים). Recordings of various styles of ululations are commonly found in the music of artists performing Mizrahi styles of music. In Morocco it is known as barwalá or youyou.' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ululation

It is also depicted in Lawrence of Arabia IIRC.

Yes! I'm definitely still interested! Thank you for sharing this!!