Have you been pregnant before? What are some of the shocking things that you were told about pregnancy? For me, it was how I must eat for three, having been expecting twins. If you are expectant, hooray! This is the start of an adventurous journey! Motherhood is one of the most precious gifts that women have. The ability to bring forth life, and to watch ‘little humans’, who might resemble you, – or their father, grow and transform into independent beings is simply amazing! While pregnancy is an exciting time, the anticipation of the expected bundle of joy is sometimes too much. Besides it being an adventurous time, many mothers take it as a time of preparation and learning. It is during this time that many encounter myths about pregnancy disguised as truths. Here are a few of those myths that have been passed down as truths for the longest time.
- Sex during pregnancy will poke your baby
Whoever told you that you cannot enjoy some good sex during pregnancy was kidding. If you are enjoying a smooth pregnancy, there is no problem in being intimate with your partner. Different hormones that come into play during pregnancy affect our moods individually. While some pregnant women complain of a low sex drive, for some sex is actually more enjoyable during this phase. Sex during pregnancy may trigger Braxton Hicks contractions. So long there are no other major concerns, these will come and go. To keep your sex life thriving at this time, try out new positions that are comfortable for both you and your partner. And please, sex will not poke your baby! Enjoy it, unless the doctor advices otherwise.
- You are eating for two
Before you pick up that bingeing habit, it is important to remember that this phrase has been busted as a myth. It is true – ‘what you eat nourishes the unborn baby.’ However, eating well during pregnancy is not just about the quantity of food. Most importantly, it is about the quality. Most women will only need to add 340 to 450 extra calories a day in late pregnancy. Eating a healthy balanced diet is the most important diet consideration for expectant mothers.
- Exercise is a no no!
Who said that you cannot walk, dance or jog during pregnancy? Exercise during pregnancy is another common myths about pregnancy but it is important for both you and the unborn child. Unless you have a high risk pregnancy, or are having some complications, it is important to keep up with exercises as they help relax your muscles and could make laboring easier. An important point to note though, don’t go all crazy! Some exercise may be too risky, as they might cause you to slip and fall hurting you and the baby. So long as you’re healthy and are not overdoing it, keep exercising.
- Be careful not to pass on the cold to the unborn baby
While this may sound absurd, some people actually believe that it is possible to pass on sicknesses such a cold to the unborn baby. This falsehood has been propagated over the years. A mother’s cold will not pass on to the baby. The placenta protects the baby. However, mothers should be careful with the medications that they take during pregnancy as some may have adverse effects on the fetus.
- Spices are no longer for you
Are you fond of spices? Well, there are myths about pregnancy about spices and pregnancy. The myth suggests that eating spices during pregnancy can lead to blindness in the unborn child. It is also believed that spices can lead to miscarriages. While this might sound realistic, there is no evidence in this. However, a proven fact is that spices can lead to heart burn.
- Heart burn is a sign of a hairy baby
Another falsehood associated to heart burn states that if a mother experiences too much heart burn, hair is being formed in the unborn child’s head, and the child will be born with too much hair. Some women who often complained of heart burn during pregnancy have born children with hardly any hair. Try not to be too sure about your baby’s hair next time. The result might just surprise you.
- Morning sickness only happens in the morning
Many first time moms fall for this myth. Unfortunately, morning sickness can come at any time of the day and even though most people expect it to end during the end of the first trimester, it may actually last through the pregnancy.
- Carrying Low/High
There are several strange myths on baby gender prediction. For example, you’ve probably heard that if your belly sits low during pregnancy, it is a boy and if it high and wide in the middle, you are carrying a girl. The truth of the matter is, where the baby is positioned is highly dependent on several factors including your shape, the tone of your muscles and how much weight you take up during pregnancy. It is therefore unrealistic to determine the gender of the baby based on how high or low the belly sits.
- Your cravings can indicate the gender of the child
If you are craving sweet things, you are expecting a girl is another common myths about pregnancy, and if you are craving salty things, it is a boy! Cravings aren’t a gender predictor. They in fact might only indicate the nutrients that your body needs.
- Don’t raise your hands above your head
Supposedly, doing this can lead to the umbilical cord being warped around your baby’s neck. If you have done this already, worry not. This is a myth. Whether you raise your hands dancing or hanging your clothes, your baby will not care. New moms are most prone to pregnancy rumours. While learning is vital, get your information from relevant sources. How about consulting your doctor for any concerns you may have? They will not only give you all the information that you need, but will also walk with you through this journey. Enjoy motherhood!