Pregnancy Tales
Technology and medicine have transformed the experience of
pregnancy for modern women. Prenatal medical testing can indicate
the sex of your child, the amount of fluid in your uterus, the
weight of your baby before birth, and many other things. Yet,
despite this increased reliance on diagnostic information,
pregnancy continues to inspire its own set of myths and tales -
some that are wacky and some that are downright weird.
Parents who wouldn't dream of skipping a prenatal
appointment often find themselves wondering whether Great Aunt
Sally's predictions about Junior's gender could be on the
money. Why would parents choose to follow pregnancy advice from
friends and family that isn't grounded in medical science?
In many cases, hearing predictions about the baby's sex or
how much hair the baby will have is fun and harmless. In some
cases, though, it may be harmful to do what a pregnancy myth or
tale suggests. Here's when you should beware:
- when the myth suggests that you contradict your doctor's
medical treatment
(such as discontinuing prenatal vitamins)
- when the myth suggests that you ingest or inhale something
that isn't recommended by your doctor (such as herbs or
drugs)
- when the myth makes you extremely fearful for your baby's
health (stress on the mother can adversely affect the baby)
Common Pregnancy Myths
Pregnancy myths may vary from generation to generation and from
region to region. Myths your grandmother in Texas claims are true
might be different from what your uncle in Alaska believes. Here
are a few of the most common pregnancy myths:
Myth:
Standing on your head after sex can increase your chances of
becoming pregnant.
Truth:
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 your neck
while trying to do it!).
Myth:
The shape and height of your belly can indicate your baby's
sex.
Truth:
The popular belief that women carrying boys carry low and that
women carrying girls carry high just isn't true. The shape and
height of your belly is determined by your muscle tone, uterine
tone, and the position the baby is in. That's why someone may
think you're having a boy because you're carrying low, when
actually the baby just dropped lower into the pelvis because
you're closer to delivery. So, what's the most accurate way
to determine your baby's sex? Talk to your doctor about getting
an
ultrasound
.
Myth:
Fetal heart rate can indicate your baby's sex.
Truth:
A normal fetal heart rate is between 120 and 160 beats per minute
(bpm), although some people think if it's faster (usually above
the 140 bpm range) it's a girl and if it's slower 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 from prenatal visit to prenatal
visit anyway - depending on the age of the fetus and activity level
at the time of the visit.
Myth:
The shape and fullness of your face during pregnancy can indicate
your baby's sex.
Truth:
Every woman gains weight differently during pregnancy, and every
woman experiences different
skin changes
. If people tell you that because your face is round and rosy
you're having a girl, they might be right - but it's just
as likely that they're wrong!
Seeking the Truth
As you go through your pregnancy, it can be fun to collect and
record various people's tales. However, for medical advice
pertaining to pregnancy, you should always consult your doctor
first.
And keep in mind that every woman's pregnancy is different,
which means that your doctor can provide you with information
tailored toward your personal medical situation. That's
information that friends, family, and strangers at the mall
won't have when they tell you their pregnancy predictions.
So, enjoy the stories - but talk to your doctor before you do
anything that could affect the health or well-being of you or your
baby.
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: October 2007
Originally reviewed by:
George Macones, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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