Common Pregnancy Myths

As you progress during your pregnancy, you may get advice from well meaning friends and family members regarding what to do and not do. Here are some of the more popular myths that seem to pop up. Try your hand to see if you can separate the facts from the fallacies. And remember, for medical advice pertaining to pregnancy, you should always consult your doctor, who can provide you with specific information based on your own personal situation.

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Myth: Standing on your head after sex can increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Reality: Although some experts say that lying down after sex for 20 to 30 minutes can boost your chances of conception because it keeps the sperm inside you, standing on your head has not been proven to aid in conception (and you might hurt yourself in the process!)

Myth: You can tangle the umbilical cord by raising your arms above your head.

Reality: About 20-25% of babies are born with the cord around the neck, and many are born with cords around their legs. Some cords may even be tied into knots. There is nothing that a mother can do to cause this entanglement. Instead, entanglements are caused by fetal activity during early gestation. Long umbilical cords, which are actually caused by excessive fetal movement, seem to contribute to entanglements.

Myth: Having sex during pregnancy can hurt the baby.

Reality: While there are some valid medical reasons to avoid sexual activity during pregnancy, in most cases sex is not harmful to the baby and can be very enjoyable for the woman, who may now be noticing enhanced ability to orgasm due to an increase in blood flow to her pelvic region.

Myth: Don't begin any exercise that you are not already doing prior to pregnancy.

Reality: Like most myths, this one has some basis in fact. It is meant to protect the newly pregnant woman from injury. Pregnancy does more to a woman's physiology than change her center of gravity. During pregnancy, hormones start adapting the ligaments and muscles to become more flexible and to expand, which makes them a bit more prone to injury.

Pregnancy and labor represent some of the most difficult and rewarding work a woman will ever do. It makes sense to prepare physically by participating in a regular program of exercise such as walking or yoga. Begin with a five-minute warmup with slow gradual stretching of all muscles. Find a nice path and some walking buddies and walk at a brisk pace for 30-40 minutes every day. Finish with five minute cool down period of a slower pace or stretching."

Myth: The shape and height of your belly can indicate your baby's sex.

Reality: The popular belief that women carry boys carry low and girls high just isn't true. The shape and height of your belly is determined by various factors including muscle tone and the position the baby is in. While someone may think you're having a boy because you're carrying low, your baby may have actually just dropped lower into the pelvis because you're closer to delivery.

Myth: Fetal heart rate can indicate your baby's sex.

Reality: A normal fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. Some people think if it's faster (usually above the 140 bpm range) then it's a girl and if it's slower then 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 during each prenatal visit depending on the age of the fetus and activity level at the time of the visit.

Myth: Spicy food will bring on labor.

Reality: Contrary to popular belief, spicy food will not induce labor. Pregnant women can eat just about anything, though they should avoid undercooked egg, cheese and meat products because of the risk of lysteria and salmonella.

Myth: Making mad, passionate love will induce labor.

Reality: Contrary to what Mom may have said, sex is not going to cause you to go into labor.

Myth: The Old Heartburn Harangue. If a pregnant woman has frequent heartburn, her baby will have a full head of hair.

Reality: You don’t really believe this, do you?

Myth: The Sty-in-the-Eye-Lie

Reality: Those who deny a pregnant woman the food she craves will get a sty in their eye.

Reality: While there is no basis for this myth, you probably do not want to deny a pregnant woman her cravings for other reasons, such as your own safety!

Myth: If a pregnant woman sees something ugly or horrible, her baby will be ugly.

Reality: There is no such thing as an ugly baby.

Myth: The shape and fullness of your face during pregnancy can indicate your baby's sex.

Reality: Every woman gains weight differently during pregnancy, and every woman experiences different skin changes.

Myth:If you experience heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will be born with lots of hair.

Reality: Because it's extremely common throughout pregnancy, heartburn isn't an accurate predictor of whether your baby will be born with lots of hair.

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