It can sometimes be hard to differentiate fact from fiction. Just because you’ve been told something more times than you can remember doesn’t mean it’s true. In fact, a lot of the popular old wives’ tales about pregnancy are false. Here are five widely believed (but definitely not true) pregnancy myths:
1. Your bump can give clues as to the sex of your baby – if you’ve decided to wait until the birth to discover the sex of your baby, you probably hear this one a lot. Friends, family and strangers will be using the size and position of your bump to guess the sex of your developing baby. According to legend, a high bump indicates you are carrying a girl, while a low bump is a sure sign you’re having a boy. Sadly, there is no truth to this myth, so you can keep the gender a surprise if you wish.
2. If you suffer from heartburn, your baby will be born with a full head of hair – heartburn has little to do with your baby’s ‘do, and more to do with the foods you eat and with your slowing digestive tract. Whether you suffer from heartburn or not is really no indication of how much hair will be atop your baby’s head at the birth.
3. Having sex while pregnant could harm your baby – don’t worry, you can continue to have a sex life during pregnancy. Unless your healthcare provider has advised you to go on ‘pelvic rest’, sex during pregnancy is perfectly safe. Your mucus plug will keep your uterus closed, and your baby safe from infection during pregnancy.
4. You should be eating for two – this is something you have probably heard a lot, but it’s factually incorrect. During the first and second trimester, you shouldn’t need to eat any extra calories. By the third trimester, you will need an extra 200 calories a day, but this amounts to two slices of wholemeal toast with a thin spread of butter. It’s hardly eating for two.
5. You shouldn’t start exercising during pregnancy – this isn’t true at all. Even if you’ve never exercised before, pregnancy is the perfect time to start. It’s more important than ever to look after your body, and keep fit in preparation for the birth. If you are a bit of a couch potato, break yourself in gently with some walking, swimming and prenatal yoga. If you’re a keep-fit fanatic, you can keep up your exercise routine, but be wary of any potentially dangerous activities such as extreme sports.
What pregnancy myths have you heard?
Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.
