The wonders that come along pregnancies are often paired with myths, worries and questions. As soon as the pregnancy is announced, it becomes inescapable for the expectant mother to hear pregnancy stories, superstitions and myths. Uncovering which tales to believe in can be a challenge, especially for first-time parents.
Most of these folktales have been existing for a number of decades and can be a little hard to disprove. Some of these fallacies can provide risks to both the pregnant mothers and unborn babies, therefore, it is critical to debunk these myths.
Myth: You're Eating For Two.
Fact: The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that the average woman with a normal weight prior to pregnancy only requires a daily dose of 300 extra calories for her baby's growth. Eating for two will obviously result to excessive weight gain and might lead to further complications like a higher risk for a cesarean section because the baby would be too fat for a vaginal birth.
Myth: Hair Dyes Can Be Harmful
Fact: The myth is proven wrong, as quoted in WebMD's website, Nancy Chescheir says, "We don't believe there's any fetal risk from hair dyes and such." Chescheir is a clinical professor or maternal and fetal medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Most pregnant women easily experience nausea especially in the first trimester. Using hair treatments with strong odor might trigger getting nauseated but the chemicals that the skin might absorb will be minimal and will not be dangerous.
Myth: No More Sex
Fact: The fetus in the womb is shielded from internal and external pressures by the amniotic sac and uterus muscles. Pregnant women should be extra careful for sexually transmitted diseases though, some of these are known to be passed on to the baby. The myth to stop having sexual intercourse during pregnancy is false, however, it is recommended to seek the expert advice of gynecologists for high-risk pregnancies.
Myth: Food Cravings Are The Baby's Demands
Fact: Author of Conception, Pregnancy & Birth Dr. Miriam Stoppard, MD, was quoted inBabble.com, "Cravings are also thought to be a response to a deficiency in certain minerals and trace elements in your body." Like someone with sodium deficiency might crave for salty food. The rising hormone levels affect the saliva in pregnant women, thus making usual palate favorites taste differently than before the pregnancy. Some food might taste better now than before and it is the mother's own taste buds craving for it and not the baby demanding so.
Myth: Belly's Shape Tells Baby's Gender
Fact: ACOG Spokeswoman Kate Connors states, "The only way to identify gender before birth is through an ultrasound." The shape of the pregnant woman's belly can be dependent on the size and position of the baby inside the womb, or other factors like body shape, height and size of the mother. It is simply a myth that the shape of the belly would not be an indicator of the baby's gender.
Debunking pregnancy myths would help expectant mothers have a healthier and safer pregnancy. The current knowledge gained from expert sources can correct the myths of the past. These information can be passed on to future pregnant women and the myths would vanish over time.
