“Wow, you’re carrying so low. Must be a boy!”
“You can’t eat that – you’re pregnant!”
“Go for a long walk and eat spicy food – that’ll make that baby come tonight!”
Pregnancy Myth or Truth
We’ve all heard them, tried them, hoped they were true! Those old wives tales, tips, and cautionary tales that make pregnancy seem like a long list of dos and don’ts. It’s hard to keep straight. As if walking around with a growing watermelon in your stomach, foggy mom brain, and morning sickness aren’t enough, let’s inundate soon-to-be moms with a laundry list of myths that may or may not be true.
We’re about to put some myths to rest so that you know just what to believe and what to just smile and nod at.
We got to chat with Dr. Margaret Huggins at Monarch Healthcare about exactly what us moms should be paying attention to and what we can let go in one ear and out the other when it comes to pregnancy. First, I could have sat and talked with Dr. Huggins all day – she is a super-sweet bundle of knowledge. And, she has a way of bringing light to some of the tough stuff expecting moms may be going through. I speak from personal experience when I say, Dr. Huggins wants nothing more than to make sure women are comfortable.
Without further ado, here are some common pregnancy myths proved and debunked…
Reaching above your head with both hands can cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby’s neck.
Myth
Mamas rest assured that if you reach for the dishes you never use on the top shelf – baby will be just fine. There is no medical truth to this one. Reaching your arms above your head is perfectly safe for you and baby.
Carrying high means you’re having a girl, low means a boy.
Myth
Well, if we’re honest this is true about 50% of the time. (wink, wink) The way you carry baby has no indication of gender. The only indicator with some medical backing is the baby’s heart rate. Anything between 120 and 160 beats per minute is normal for babies in utero. Generally, girls have a higher heart rate ranging from 140-160 and boys fall into the 120-140 range. As is true with anything, there are outliers but in terms of predicting the sex of the baby – heart rate is far more dependable than whether your bump is high or low.
Do Not Get In A Hot Tub While Pregnant
Truth
Expecting mothers should avoid getting into water over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When our body temperature rises, so does our baby’s. We are able to cool off quickly by getting out of the water, but baby can’t cool off as easily and that rise in temperature could be unsafe.
Long Walks Will Induce Labor
Myth
You’re 40 weeks and 1 day – sorry ladies spicy food and castor oil aren’t proven to evict your little bundles either. According to Dr. Huggins, walking for exercise is always a good idea but walking and walking and walking to try to induce labor will only make you tired. Save your energy – baby will come soon enough! While there seem to be millions of myths that claim to induce labor, nothing has been proven to really work. Babies will come on their own time. So many of these claims have stuck because moms start trying these when they are close to their due date – baby is bound to come soon anyway!
Don’t Eat Sushi
Truth
Unfortunately, this is one we should listen too. No raw fish. California Rolls and rolls with fully cooked fish are just fine but raw fish should be avoided during pregnancy.
Speaking of foods we should avoid when expecting… Unpasteurized milk and cheeses should be avoided due to the higher risk of listeria. Listeria risks are, also, associated with expectant mothers steering clear of cold cuts. Lunch meats that have been properly handled (kept refrigerated) pose no greater risk than other properly handled foods. Lunch meats should, however, be limited due to generally high amounts of sodium and nitrates.
Epidurals can cause paralysis.
Myth
There is no higher medical risk for paralysis in mothers that receive an epidural during delivery. While Monarch supports any mothers decision to not have an epidural, concerns about paralysis can be put to rest.
There you have it! Pregnancy is all about a balance of taking advice, doing what you feel is best, complaining about being pregnant, and being thankful for the tiny miracle. While hanging your wedding ring over your belly and asking your husband to bring you spicy food at midnight is all part of the pregnancy fun, it is important to know what is truth and what is myth.
What myths or truths have surprised you? Have some things we should run by Dr. Huggins to get the real scoop? Comment below!
Have you caught our other articles sharing important information about women’s health? 3 Questions You Should Be Asking Your OBGYN and For the Love of Women’s Health :: Annual Exams and Breast Health
