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Everyone has an opinion, friends, family, mothers, neighbors, and even the internet. With the deluge of opinions, it is easy to be swept away. Same is the case with childbirth. Yes, it is extremely simple to acquire information from various sources, but how do you know if it’s true or not?
Luckily for you, we are here to help you debunk the myths and tell you the truth. Since there are so many stories, options, opinions, and different experiences, one can get confused and overwhelmed. If you want to know the truth about childbirth, don’t go anywhere, as we tell you the real deal behind a few myths.
1. Epidurals
Myth: “It hurts and there is nothing you can do except opt for an epidural.”
Fact: Epidurals are a valid option if you want to lessen your pain and discomfort, which is a fact. However, it MAY not work for every woman, AND there are other options to make you more comfortable and ease your pain.
There’s a book called “The Birth Partner” by Penny Simkin that has ideas to make your labor easier. It can be for you, your partner, or even the both of you. There are options to change your position according to your comfort. You can customize your breathing patterns, and you can even be in the bath or walk around, change your room – anything that fits your needs! So, if you want to avoid an epidural, this book will come in handy.
2. C-Section
Myth: “My friend had to have an emergency C-section, and I’m afraid this will happen to me.”
Fact: The above statement cannot be considered as a fact because every woman’s body is different, which means her experiences and birthing process will be different to yours. Just because another woman has gone through something, it doesn’t mean you will go through the same. For example, different doctors make different decisions according to what they think is best for YOU in particular, and every doctor explains things differently. On a side note, stories can be misunderstood, parts can be left out, and the use of language can leave room for selective interpretations and lead to sensationalist claims like our myth above.
3. The Amount Of Food You Eat
Myth: “You’re eating for two.”
Fact: In the movies and even books, we’re told that pregnant women are ALWAYS hungry and eat everything in sight. Particularly unhealthy food thanks to their cravings, as they’re eating for themselves and the baby. We hate to break it to you, but you’re only eating for a teeny tiny baby, not another adult. The average amount a pregnant woman needs is 300 extra calories per day for the baby’s growth, according to American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). So, 300 calories is what you’ll get with a glass of skim milk! A woman who is of normal weight should ideally gain only 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.
4. Pushing Hard
Myth: “You have to push while lying on the bed.”
Fact: Again, going back to the movies, we only see women lying down in bed and pushing. However, this is not necessary by any means! According to ‘Lying In: A History of Childbirth in America’, it is not vital to be in the lying down position; it was only used as the norm because of convenience.
Otherwise, women have given birth in many different positions, it just depends on what feels right and comfortable for you. You can stand, semi-sit, squat – you can give birth in any position. Speak with your doctor regarding what positions are comfortable for you and if they are okay with the same.
We hope our post helped debunk some myths and clear your confusion. What myth did you grow up listening about? Does it feature on our list? Tell us here.
