Pregnancy Myths

Myths about pregnancy and extends widely circulated in the community. Some people even believe these myths. Though not all myths are true. That prospective parents are not misled by myths circulating pregnancy, the following is an explanation of some of the myths that exist. Here's pregnancy myths 2menitsaja version:

Myth 1: A classic myth is that if a pregnant woman is carrying high, the baby will be a girl and if she is carrying low it, will be boy. There is no scientific basis for this. Carrying low indicates the baby just dropped lower into the pelvis because you're closer to delivery. Factors such as her muscle size, structure, the position of the fetus, her posture, shape before pregnancy, and amount of fat deposited around the abdomen play a role in the size and shape of a pregnant belly. Curious to know the sex of your baby, ask your doctor for an ultrasound.

Myth 2: During the full moon phase more women go into labor than other times. Looking at the facts shows that this isn't true.

Myth 3: Spicy food induces labor. Again, there is no scientific logic to this.

Myth 4: Sex brings on labor - this also isn't based on fact and there is no evidence to show that it is true.

Myth 5: It is commonly expressed that stretch mark is a natural resultant of pregnancy. The truth is there are women who don't get them at all.

Myth 6: Another classic is that if you crave for salty foods then you will have a boy. Craving sweet foods would indicate a girl is on the way. You may crave lots of things when you are pregnant and you may have no particular cravings but none of these will determine the sex of your new baby.

Myth 7: Hold a string with a ring in it over a pregnant belly and you can predict the gender of the baby by the direction the string moves: back and forth for a boy; in a circle for a girl. This isn't true but it might be fun to try.

Myth 8: If your nose swells during pregnancy, you are going to have a girl baby. In reality there is no link between a mother's appearance and baby's gender. Nose swelling can be explained by increased estrogen level, which heighten blood flow to the mucous membrane causing it to expand.

Myth 9: No morning sickness equates to having a male baby. About one half of all pregnant women go through some degree of morning sickness. According to myth women carrying boys are protected from the male hormone testosterone produced by the male fetus. Doctors believe that relaxin, a hormone produced by the mother is responsible for the nausea. Mothers who have undergone morning sickness blues while pregnant with their daughters expound this theory.

Myth 10: Slow heart rate means a boy child and a fast heart rate means a girl child. A normal fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute (bpm), although some people think if it's faster (usually above the 140 bpm range) it's a girl and if it's slower it's a boy. But there have been no studies that conclusively show that heart rate is a predictor for a baby's gender. Your baby's heart rate will probably differ from prenatal visit to prenatal visit anyway - depending on the age of the fetus and activity level at the time of the visit.

Myth 11: Heartburn during pregnancy means your baby will be born with lots of hair. Heartburn is a common discomfort during this state and is no way an accurate predictor of baby being born with lots of hair. Women with this problem have welcomed baldies into the world.

Myth 12: Having sex might hurt the baby. Seven layers of skin from the abdominal wall to the amniotic sac protect your baby. Your cervix has lengthened and hardened to prevent anything from getting into the uterus. Additionally, your cervix is producing mucus to keep the vagina clean and infection free. Intercourse cannot reach, touch or harm the baby. The only exception to this is a woman whose doctor has told her to abstain because of a complication.

Myth 13: Backaches are an unavoidable part of being pregnant. You can avoid backache with some simple changes. First, pay attention to your posture, don't arch your back by pulling your shoulders back but not your abdomen. Don't wear shoes with any heel height, it will force you to arch your back which puts pressure on the lower back. Try pelvic rocking to give your back a break, and squat throughout the day to stretch the muscles of your back.

Myth 14: Being pregnant makes you so crazy. Your hormone levels change when you are pregnant, which may cause you to react more strongly to things. However, you will still be yourself. You will still have your likes and dislikes, fears and concerns. What changes is your ability to "hide" the real you. Your high hormone levels encourage you to show your reactions on the outside too.

Myth 15: First babies are usually late. True to an extent since about 60% arrive after their due date, 5% on their due date and 35% arrive early. The timing is tied closely to length of your menstrual cycle. If it is shorter, you are more likely to deliver early. And if your cycle is longer than your baby will arrive later and if it usually lasts 28 days you will more likely deliver close to your due date.

Myth 16: If your mother had an easy pregnancy and delivery, so will you. The size and position of the baby, your diet, lifestyle and attitude all play greater roles than hereditary in determining the ease or difficulty of your pregnancy and delivery.

Myth 17: Don't lie or sleep on your back or you'll hurt your baby. While you won't harm your baby if you lie on your back for short periods of time, both of you will feel better of if you sleep on your side. Doctors recommend sleeping on the left side as this increases the blood flow to the uterus and placenta .

When it comes to your pregnancy its always best to rely on the advice of medical professionals instead of folklore and myths.