For young feminists, science and innovation have changed the way they perceive pregnancy. Predictive medical testing can reveal your child’s gender, the quantity of fluid in your womb, your toddler’s weight before delivery, and many other details.
Why would parents support prenatal counsel from friends and relatives that aren’t based on scientific evidence?
Hearing guesses regarding the sex of the child or how much hair he or she will have is often amusing and harmless. However, in other situations, following a pregnant myth or legend may be dangerous.
Myths for Pregnancy in Society
When it comes to pregnant myths, be cautious when they:
- indicate that you are questioning your doctor’s medical advice (such as preventing prenatal vitamins)
- propose that you take or breathe something that your physician hasn’t advised (such as herbs or medicines)
- makes you highly concerned about your child’s wellbeing (stress on the mother can be harmful to the baby)
Here are some myths for pregnancy in society.
1. The infant would have a lot of hair if he or she has heartburn
There is insufficient evidence to support this claim. In a short research published in 2006, 23 of the 28 people who said they experienced moderate-to-severe heartburn had kids with a standard or above-average amount of hair.
This could be related to pregnancy factors that impact hair development as well as the relaxation of the muscles that divide the oesophagus (food pipe) from the stomach, according to the experts. This is among the commonest misconceptions about pregnancy.
2. When expecting, a female should consume for two
While it is accurate that women who are pregnant might have to increase their calorie consumption slightly, they should not overdo it. Overeating can affect both the mother and the foetus, particularly if the diet is high in empty calories.
During pregnancy, women should aim for a progressive increase in calories:
- No excess fat is required throughout the first trimester.
- Professionals suggest consuming an extra 340 calories each day during the second trimester.
- In the late pregnancy, an extra 450 calories per day is recommended.
Women should stick to their regular diets as much as possible, but they should make sure they are eating nutrient-dense foods.
3. Morning sickness is a condition that happens exclusively in the morning
Morning sickness, contrary to popular belief, can afflict pregnant women at any time of day. Solely about 2% of pregnant mothers have morning sickness only in the daytime. Morning sickness usually begins in the fourth week and lasts until the sixteenth week.
4. During conception, a female should abstain from sex
This is the most common pregnancy fact. An otherwise successful pregnancy is unaffected by sex. In low-risk deliveries, intercourse during gestation did not raise the risk of preterm labour, according to the authors of an analysis of various literatures.
Other possible repercussions, they added, have yet to be established. In rare instances, a doctor may advise against having sex while pregnant. For example, if a female’s water has burst or she has experienced internal bleeding during her gestation, she should avoid having unprotected sex.
Before engaging in sexual activity, women who have placental difficulties, cervical instability, or other factors that enhance the risk of preterm labour should consult a doctor.
5. During childbearing, a woman is not allowed to drink coffee
When expecting, females can still have one cup of coffee per day, but their coffee consumption should be kept to 200 mg or fewer. This is around 1.5 cups of coffee, with a cup weighing 8 ounces.
6. After a caesarean delivery, vaginal birth is not possible
In actuality, a lady who has had a previous caesarean delivery may be able to give birth vaginally. The choice between a caesarean or normal birth is based on the present stage of the gestation, the woman’s labour, and the risk of any potential problems.
7. Certain foods and beverages can hasten the onset of labour
The majority of natural and alternative treatments recommended to induce labour have no scientific backing. Some herbal treatments may be effective, according to a 2018 study. The common natural ways for inducing labour, on the other hand, vary in terms of safety:
- There is proof to demonstrate that blue and black oolong tea roots can induce foetal heart problems and stroke, as well as postpartum difficulties during labour.
- Pineapple: Pineapple has no side effects, though it can cause heartburn.
- Castor oil can irritate the uterus and trigger contractions, but they are usually due to diarrhoea rather than labour.
- Spicy meals: There is no scientific evidence that consuming spicy meals would make you go into labour. However, they can cause stomach distress and heartburn.
Medicinal plants are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same manner that conventional pharmaceuticals are. As a result, users should speak with a healthcare practitioner about their use.
8. Cats are not allowed
Many pregnant women want to avoid making contact with cats because they’ve heard cats can spread infection. Toxoplasmosis, a potentially deadly disease, can be transmitted by cat faeces. As a caution, a pregnant lady should either replace the litter herself or let someone else do that for her. Cats should not have to be avoided during childbirth as long as the mother is healthy.
9. Food allergies can occur as a result of eating particular foods
Expectant mothers can eat foods commonly associated with sensitivities, such as nuts and dairy, if they are not sensitive to them. These products will not cause an allergy in the newborn. However, for additional health considerations, a female should avoid specific foods such as ground beef, shellfish, and certain milk products. More data on which meals to avoid can be obtained from a healthcare expert.
10. When a woman becomes pregnant, she should avoid activities
During labor, most females should partake in light-to-moderate activity. Before beginning a new fitness routine, a girl who did not exercise frequently before getting pregnant must consult with a healthcare expert.
According to a poll of gynaecologists, or doctors who specialise in birthing, more than 50 % of the respondents said they don’t normally advise women who were inactive before getting pregnant to start a new practice.
However, 97 percent of respondents said that light-to-moderate cardiovascular activity should be done 2–5 times per week for women in their first trimester. This is one pregnancy myth that needs to be eradicated from society as early as possible.
11. It is easy to predict the baby’s gender
Many various methods for predicting the baby’s sex have been proposed. These range from guessing the sex based on the form of the pregnant lady’s head or abdomen to seeing how a wedding ring revolves when suspended on a string and held over the tummy. None of these approaches accurately predict a baby’s gender.
The non-invasive pregnancy test (NIPT) is a genetic test that can identify the baby’s gender after 10 weeks. In many circumstances, an ultrasound scan can also reveal your baby’s gender. Although it isn’t 100% accurate, you can ask the ultrasonography technician to inform you what they observe. If you suggest waiting until the birth to discover, you could also request them not to inform you.
12. Pregnant females must not have hot baths or dye their hair
When you’re pregnant, it’s completely acceptable to take a warm bath, but don’t get too hot. Biochemical changes during pregnancy can make you feel hotter than usual. Spa showers should be avoided since they can elevate your heart rate and blood pressure, resulting in scorching, exhaustion, or fainting.
Hair dye is typically regarded to be harmless due to the minimal level of chemicals included in it. Many ladies, however, still decide not to colour their hair during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you colour your hair, use semi-permanent plant colour or leave it on for as little time as feasible. If you’re a hairstylist, make sure you use gloves and practice in a well-ventilated environment when using hair colouring.
13. It’s dangerous to hang clothes out to dry on the line
Reaching above your head to hang clothes on the line is quite safe. It is doubtful that it will have any effect on your baby’s umbilical cord. If there are any tasks that are harmful for you to do while pregnant, your midwife or doctor will let you know.
14. Stretch marks are avoided by using cocoa butter
This is a pregnancy fact. While many patients choose to use cocoa butter, there is no research showing that it or anything at all may avoid stretch marks. It’s most likely inherited, and basically, if you accumulate too much fat in one place, i.e. your pregnancy balloons, you’re more prone to develop stretch marks. However, it is not worth spending a lot of money on high-priced creams because they will not function. That was uplifting.
15. You can give your unborn child a cold
Your child will not catch a cold. Although your infant can become ill if you catch the flu, doctors recommend that you obtain a flu shot to protect your infant from becoming seriously ill. Some infections, such as the flu, can be passed on to your kid, but not a cold. I believe that many people confuse the cold and the flu, which is sad because both are serious illnesses.
16. Women who are pregnant should not travel
When flying, there are a few things to consider. One of the big difficulties, in my opinion, is that pregnant women are more likely to have a blood clot in their leg or lung. The atmosphere is dry when you soar. You’re also more inclined to merely sit for an extended amount of time. And that only raises your chances of acquiring a blood clot.
To pregnant women, it is always advised, “Be cheerful, move forward.” Go on those excursions. However, you should drink plenty of water before leaving. Support hose, or at the very least, jogging tights or something that provides you a little amount of leg support, should be worn. Every quarter or so, you must get up and move around.
People are concerned about the air pressure, which is absurd given that the cabin is pressurised. That won’t help; you won’t be able to break your water with that. Isn’t it true that they’re also concerned about passing the screener? Everyone is concerned about radioactive contamination while passing through security, yet the ionizing radiation is significantly higher when flying on a plane than while passing through security swiftly.
17. Breech births almost always necessitate C-sections.
This is a very common myth for pregnancy. The most usual and safest approach to deliver a singleton is via C-section. So there’s a single baby in labour, especially if it’s at full term. As a result, there are some scenarios in which doctors must be able to customise treatment. Patients with twins are frequently approached. If the second twin is breech, this could be a fantastic alternative.
When a woman is in labour, doctors may suggest and/or support a vaginal breech birth for a singleton in exceptional circumstances. If you want to assist a vaginal breech delivery, you’ll need a practitioner who has done it before. And, you know, in the United States, the number of providers capable of doing so securely is rapidly dwindling, practically to zero.
The second alternative is a version in which, if you realize the infant is breech and you’re at delivery, you come in for a surgery in which the doctors shift the baby to head-down underneath ultrasound guidance.
18. Women who are pregnant must sleep on their left hand side
New mothers should sleep however they feel most comfortable, while we know that as they grow further along in their pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, they may not even be likely to rest flat on their backs.
That’s because, as the pregnancy progresses, the foetus grows, the uterus grows, and the pressure that the uterus places on your capillaries and other tissues may create discomfort for you and the baby. Females can slumber on their left, right, or back, slanted slightly. However, doctors aren’t often so rigorous as to say, “Left side only”.
19. When you’re pregnant, your hair and skin seem nicer
Doctors suppose your hair would look better. It’s unlikely that your skin will improve. Some women claim to have a radiance. Paradoxically, the elevated progesterone levels that females get during pregnancy to maintain the fetus can sometimes bring up blemishes that they’ve not seen since they were 13 years old, and no amount of pricey creams will help. So doctors wouldn’t recommend spending money on that.
20. Pregnant women become more adaptable
When a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes several changes, but I wouldn’t argue that becoming more flexible is one of them. Various incidents occur in terms of your position, how you walk, and undoubtedly some relaxing of various sections of your body in order to develop your pelvis for a vaginal birth.
Conclusion
It can be entertaining to collect and document various people’s stories and pregnancy myths as you progress during your pregnancy. However, you should still get clinical advice from your doctor before making any pregnancy-related decisions. Also, bear in mind that each woman’s pregnancy is unique, so your doctor may offer you with knowledge that is specific to your medical circumstances. Neighbors, relatives, and passersby at the mall won’t get that insight when they give you prenatal forecasts or advice.
So, enjoy the narratives, but visit your physician before doing anything that could jeopardise your or your child’s health or well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I have wine during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it is strongly advised that you must not ingest any alcohol. Regrettably, there is no such thing as a safe quantity of beer or a safe time during pregnancy when we can be certain that it will not harm a developing foetus.
2. Does my nutrition and food intake affect the baby’s palate?
There isn’t a grain of proof to back that up. Doctors believe that what you consume throughout pregnancy is significant because it helps to provide a healthy foundation for your baby’s general diet and nutrition. But it’s unlikely to alter the baby’s palate. Nutrition and food preferences, as well as a healthy weight growth, can have an everlasting impact on your growing baby, but not on their palate or what they like.
3. Can I drink coffee during pregnancy?
Prohibiting coffee intake to keep the baby safe is totally a misconception about pregnancy. You are permitted to consume coffee. This is one of those situations where moderation is key. Excessive coffee consumption during the first trimester has been linked to an increased risk of stillbirth. Can you go crazy with the espresso when the first trimester comes to an end? Most likely not. But it’s not going to do any harm.
4. Is sitting all day harmful for the baby?
You’ll accumulate a massive amount of weight and have back discomfort if you rest all day, but your infant can do whatever your baby wants. At full term, the majority of newborns are not breech. So, only approximately 3% of babies are born breech at full term. Those kids will turn several times till they are approximately 36 or 37 weeks old. As a result, it makes no difference whether you’re running a mile or lying on your backside.
5. Can consuming spices induce labour?
Unfortunately, no one diet, exercise, drink, or medication has been identified as having the ability to induce labour. Doctors have drugs that can be used to induce labour, but as far as they can tell, there is no proof that any of the things that women might wish to attempt will truly work.
