8 Common pregnancy myths busted

Zeenia Baria, TNN

Here are some things you often hear when the stork has decided to pay a visit.

Myth 1: One of the most common myths that surround pregnancy is the shape of a woman's stomach. If a woman is carrying high, in all possibility it is a girl and if she is carrying low it is a boy.

Fact: Experts say there is no scientific basis for this assumption and it is the woman's muscle size, structure, the position of the foetus, posture, and the amount of fat deposited around her abdomen that play a role in the size and shape of a pregnant belly.

Myth 2: Craving for salty foods means you're having a boy. Craving for sweet foods indicate a girl is expected.

Fact: Research shows that cravings have nothing to do with determining the sex of a baby.

Myth 3: Another myth is predicting the sex of the baby by holding a string with a ring in it over a pregnant belly. If it moves back and forth it is a boy, if it moves in a circle, it is a girl.

Fact: While there is no truth in this, you could probably do it for a laugh.

Myth 4: If you suffer from heartburn during pregnancy, it means your baby will be born with lots of hair. Heartburn is a common problem for pregnant women and have nothing to do with the quantity of hair for your child.

Fact: Even women who suffered a lot from heartburn have welcomed bald babies.

Myth 5: If your mother had an easy pregnancy and delivery, so will you.

Fact: Hereditary factors have no role to play in predicting how easy or difficult your pregnancy and delivery will be. On the contrary, the size and position of the baby, your diet and lifestyle play a role in determining how things will be.

Myth 6: Sleeping or taking a nap on your back will hurt your baby.

Fact: While you won't harm your baby if you sleep in this position, you will feel better if you sleep on your side. Experts recommend sleeping on your left side since this is known to increase blood flow to your uterus and placenta.

Myth 7: Having sex might hurt the baby.

Fact: You should know that seven layers of skin from the abdominal wall to the amniotic sac are present to protect your baby. Your cervix has lengthened and hardened to prevent anything from getting into the uterus, and it also produces mucus to keep the area clean and infection free. Having sex cannot reach, touch or harm your baby. If your doctor has not asked you to abstain from sex, have no fear and go ahead.

Myth 8: First babies always arrive late.

Fact: While this is true to an extent since about 60 per cent arrive after their due date, five per cent on the due date and 35 before the due date, what really determines the arrival of your baby is the length of your menstrual cycle. If it is shorter, there are more possibilities of you delivering early. If your cycle is longer, your baby will arrive later and if your cycle usually lasts 28 days, you will more likely deliver close to your due date.

Other common myths:

·         More women go into labour during full moon than other times.

·         Eating spicy food and having sex induces labour.

·         You will always get stretch marks. This is untrue. There are some lucky women who don't get them at all.

·         If your nose swells during pregnancy, you will have a baby girl. There is no link between your nose and your baby's gender. Your nose probably swells because of increased estrogen levels, which heightens blood flow.

Source: 8 Common pregnancy myths busted