Pregnancy is a beautiful experience both for the mother and the people around her. The excitement often comes with numerous questions, mostly based on myth and superstition. Believe me, when I tell you, there are thousands of myths out there about pregnancy. Some of these myths were created to incite caution into first time mom-to-be’s. Think about it, if it were your first time being pregnant, you would believe right about everything for your safety and that of your unborn child right? Below is a rundown of common pregnancy myths and the actual facts.
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#1. Pregnant women should avoid exercise as it puts stress on the pelvis
In reality, the easiest way to get through pregnancy is through exercises. Exercise does not only help pregnant moms but helps the growing fetus as well. However, it is essential that the exercises be supervised by a professional and your doctors certify you are fit for it. Advantages of exercise during pregnancy include better blood circulation, slower heart rates, and overall cardiovascular fitness, and best of all it keeps you in shape towards the perfect post-baby bod.
#2. Avoid all forms of stress during pregnancy
This is the most common pregnancy myth. The fact remains, studies have shown that a moderate level of stress during pregnancy helps in the overall health of the fetus (nervous system) and mom. Studies have shown that infants whose mum experienced some level of stress during pregnancy have higher brain performance than their counterparts.
#3. The fetus is a mass of tissue sealed away in the uterus, oblivious of what’s going on outside.
If you ever believed this myth, then am sorry you are in for a shock. In reality, the fetus shares every environmental exposure the mother has. From the air, she breathes, to chemical exposure. It is essential that pregnant women be cautious of their lifestyle and exposure while pregnant for the health of their babies.
#4. Ultrasound or amniocentesis is the only way to predict a baby’s sex
That myth holds no water. Research has shown that before recent times, old folklore has records of ways to determine the sex of a child. According to these records, they do this by studying the pregnancy symptoms of the mother. They also used ancient methods like Chinese gender predictors or the Mayan prediction method, which are now considered more as an amusement than reliable gender predicting tools.
#5. Pregnancy is a happy and fulfilling experience
This is a common false pregnancy myth. Most women will tell you otherwise. Pregnant women suffer similar mood disorders and anxiety as other women. Psychiatrists estimate that about 20 percent of pregnant women experience anxiety or depression. The risk of premature delivery is often increased by depression during pregnancy.
#6. Health conditions such as obesity and diabetes are strictly determined by lifestyle and not fetal experiences.
In reality, most health conditions suffered in adulthood is influenced by decisions made by the mother while pregnant. Low birth weight, for instance, has an effect on the functioning of the blood vessels in later life that is as great as the effects of smoking. It is essential to make healthy decisions while pregnant, the future of your child depends on them.
#7. Obesity in children is strictly dependent on genetic disposition and eating habits.
The truth, however, is that the feeding habits of the mother while pregnant affects the health of the baby. Women who gain more than the required amount of weight during pregnancy have four times the risk of having an overweight child. It is best to consult a dietitian to help healthy meals during the pregnancy. Research shows that children born to overweight mothers are likely to get obese while growing.
#8. The myth that your month of birth can give information about you
That’s just foolish astrology. However, research has shown that the time of year you were born greatly influences your mental and physical health. People who were born in the late summer or early fall are often taller and have thicker bones compared to people born at other times of the year, for instance, and most people who were born during the late winter or early spring have a 10 percent higher possibility to develop schizophrenia.
In conclusion, there are thousands of myths out there. However, the doctor should be the best source of any information regarding the pregnancy.
