5 Interesting Myths And Facts About Pregnancy

The period of pregnancy, especially in a country of like ours, is full of superstitions and myths. So much so, that it gets difficult sometimes to differentiate the truth from the lies. The worst part about this is that it doesn’t always come from the outside. You might find yourself ambushed by these myths and rules coming even from your closest inner circle. So here are some interesting myths during pregnancy that you should definitely avoid falling for.

1. Pregnant women shouldn’t bathe

Now this one’s been doing the rounds for as long as we can remember. It started because it was believed that having a bath during this time would harm your baby in some way. However, the truth is that pregnant women should avoid taking hot water baths during pregnancy. The heat is what could harm your little one. A warm water bath is quite alright to soothe those swollen feet or even just to get some relaxation time for yourself.

2. A lower bump means you’re expecting a baby boy

The myth is that acne in a woman means you’re expecting a girl child while a lower baby bump means you’re expecting a boy child. The truth is that acne has nothing to do with gender, it only reflects hormonal changes in the mother’s body. As for the baby bump, it depends on whether you’ve had a child before or not. If you have, your abdominal muscles tend to be looser and hence the bump is lower. It also depends on the body type of the mother. If the mother is tall, the baby bump appears higher while the baby bump on a shorter body frame will appear to be lower.

3. Pregnant women shouldn’t eat fish

This one is more like a piece of advice rather than a myth. It has been advised to avoid fish due to the chances of food poisoning, high mercury levels, and the chance of a fishbone splintering in you and harming your baby. But different fish have different mercury levels and it may be best to consume one with low mercury to avoid missing out on the benefits of fish oil. Fish oil is said to be highly beneficial for your child’s IQ and sleep pattern.

4. Faster heart rate indicates you’re having a girl

The myth goes on to say that a lower heart rate indicates you’re having a boy. But there is no conclusive proof to indicate that the gender of your child depends on the heart rate. Their heart rate will change during every one of your visits to the hospital. It depends on how far along you are during your pregnancy and the activity level of your fetus.

5. Pregnant women should eat for two

Just because you have another person within you, does not mean you double your eating habits. You will no doubt consume a little more, but as long as it checks out with your doctor, you should be fine. Do not simply assume that doubling your diet is what your baby needs. Overeating can be quite dangerous for your baby as well.