Pregnant women are perhaps one of the most commonly misguided recipients of advice, even when it is well-intentioned. (Parents were there too!) Sometimes what people say is relatively harmless, but there are a lot of assumptions that can lead to poor or at least unnecessary decisions about dietary choices, childbirth, etc. Here are some myths that are still prevalent – let’s stop spreading the tropes and stick to the best wishes!
Myth 1: You can tell the sex of your baby by how you conceive it.
the truth: The size, shape and location of the baby bump are not related to the sex of the baby, No matter how definitive grandma sounds. Instead, how you carry depends on factors such as your height, weight and abdominal muscle tone as well as the baby’s size and position, says Kecia Gaither, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell in New York City. medical school. The number of times you get pregnant also plays a big role: When you’re pregnant for the first time, your abdominal muscles are tighter, so you’re usually pulling your stomach inward, says Jennifer Jennifer, an ob-gyn at Northwestern Medicine’s Kishwaukee Hospital. Lu (Jennifer Lew) said. However, in future pregnancies, you may appear faster and appear larger. Either way, the appearance of your belly is usually nothing to worry about; if your doctor is concerned about the baby’s size, they may order an ultrasound to check that your pregnancy is going well.
myth #2: You are more likely to have a C-section if you have an epidural.
the truth: “Having an epidural does not mean a woman is more likely to have a surgical delivery,” Dr Gaiser said.Multiple studies have confirmed that the risk of cesarean delivery does not increase with the use of epidurals, according to a report in the journal Obstetrics and GynecologyInstead, “an epidural can make labor more peaceful and less overwhelming with pain,” says Dr. Lew. This myth may have something to do with the fact that epidurals can shorten the first stage of labor and possibly prolong the second stage, which may prompt medical staff to intervene (depending on the policies of your doctor or the hospital where you delivered). It’s important to choose a doctor you can talk to regardless of your epidural preference. “Your birth may not go the way you planned, but in these cases, it’s very important to be able to trust and build the team you want,” says Katherine Schubert, president and CEO of the Women’s Health Research Association.
myth #3: If you eat certain foods during pregnancy, it may cause your baby to develop a food allergy or asthma.
the truth: No evidence of eating high-allergen foods such as nuts, dairy or eggs during pregnancyAnts or breastfeeding can cause food allergies in children, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases report. In fact, many of them are part of a healthy diet and don’t need to be avoided, says Dr. Lew. The goal is to “eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods . . . with an emphasis on grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, fat, and dairy to ensure that all macronutrient and micronutrient needs are met,” says registered dietitian Myranda Vig. UC Davis Health. However, you may have a positive effect: Some research suggests that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, chia, mackerel) during pregnancy may help reduce your child’s risk of allergies and asthma later in life.
myth #4: No Lunch Meat or Hot Dogs During Pregnancy.
the truth: Hot dogs and deli meats don’t automatically disappear from menus when you’re pregnant, but they must be heated to 165ºF, Or steaming hot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s because of the risk of listeria, the bacteria that’s sometimes found in lunch meat and (now more commonly) produced and unpasteurized dairy products. Listeria is the reason you shouldn’t eat soft cheeses like brie or feta made with unpasteurized milk — especially during pregnancy — and why you should wash yours anyway product reason. Although listeria infections are uncommon, pregnant women are 10 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis due to changes in their immune system. Listeriosis may not even make a pregnant woman sick, but it can cause premature labor, birth defects, and fetal death. So if you don’t want to heat your cold dishes in the microwave, ignore them.
myth #5: If you had a C-section on your first delivery, your subsequent deliveries must also have a C-section.
the truth: My mind has changed. “In the past, if you had a C-section before, you were automatically scheduled to have a C-section in a future pregnancy,” says Schubert. But in 2021, 14.2 percent of all births will be vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), the CDC reports. That may not sound like much, but VBAC rates have been steadily increasing. Certain factors can affect whether you have a VBAC or other surgical delivery, including whether you have a vertical or horizontal incision for the first time (the risk of rupturing the uterus with a horizontal incision is less than 1% if you delivered vaginally). You may be advised to have another C-section, however, if the reason you had it in the first place (such as a very large fetus) comes into play again, Dr. Lu says. You and your doctor will discuss your options throughout your pregnancy to find what works best for you and your baby, she adds.
Kate Rockwood is a freelance writer based in New York.
