Bursting Common Myths About Pregnancy
When a woman knows that she is pregnant, she is overjoyed, as do her family members. However, the journey from the first day of pregnancy until the delivery of a healthy baby is not without its difficulties.
Everyone begins giving free advice, narrating their own stories of what to do and what not to do to the “would-be-mother,” which, rather than assisting her, prolongs her pregnancy. These advices aren’t always accurate.
Dr. Madhu Goel, best Gynecologist in South Delhi advises that you should listen to everyone but check with your doctor first to see if what they are saying is true.
5 common pregnancy myths are:
1. The pregnant woman must eat for two persons.
Women require about 350 kcals more during pregnancy in order to have a healthy baby.
Rather than eating for two, this should be adjusted by eating a balanced and nutritious diet.
2. Exercising is harmful to the baby.
This is absolutely incorrect. Exercise increases body stamina and aids in the usual delivery process. Consult your doctor, and pregnant women should exercise on a regular basis.
3. The shape of the tummy reflects the gender of the baby.
This is the most common old myth in our communities. If a woman is carrying high, she is a girl, and if she is carrying low, she is a boy. However, the truth is that the form of the belly is determined by muscle tone, the amount of fat deposition around the navel, and the position of the baby inside the womb.
4. Stressing out during pregnancy is harmful to the foetus.
However, mild to moderate stress is not bad for the infant since it rejuvenates and tones the foetus’ neural system and speeds up growth. These babies have better motor and cerebral development.
5. The baby’s sex can be determined by colour and skin texture.
Another myth is that if a woman gets more attractive with more shining skin, she will give birth to a girl child, and if the skin texture becomes hard and rough, she will give birth to a boy child. Although the underlying hormones do have an effect on the skin, this is not always the case.