Well, it seems like congratulations are in order! You’re pregnant with your very own precious miracle and we’re sure that you are ecstatic and nervous about the beautiful journey of pregnancy and all the challenges and surprises in store for you. But when it comes to prepping for a long and eventful 9 months, it’s important to steer clear from pregnancy myths that will further complicate this journey for you unnecessarily. We know that many mothers-to-be are ravenous for information about how to deliver their baby safely and what to do with a newborn once they are in their arms. But unfortunately, not everything you read is the truth. And there are some myths and misconceptions that haven’t been debunked for decades. As unfortunate as that is, we have the solution. If you’re concerned about some pregnancy pitfalls and want to separate truth from myth then this is the article for you!
1. Wider Hips Make The Delivery Easier
We’ve all heard of this phrase at least once in our lives. Who would have thought that this was a myth? But let us explain. Wider hips are mostly referred to as a wider ilium, which is the uppermost part of the hips. This part also is the largest part of the hips (1). However, contrary to popular belief the distance between the iliac crest has absolutely nothing to do with the size of one’s birthing canal. What really counts in terms of having an easier delivery is the form and size of the round hole situated in the middle of the pelvis. This is known as the pelvis inlet and it can be the same regardless of whether a woman has wider hips or very small ones (2). So the next time someone comments on the size of your hips, you can let them know that it makes no difference where giving birth is concerned.
2. You Can Tell The Gender Of The Baby By Looking At The Size And Shape Of The Belly
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How many times have you had relatives and friends debate the gender of your baby simply by looking and touching your baby? Sure, it’s a fun game but there’s no actual merit to this discussion. Although it would definitely be very convenient to identify the gender of your baby by just glancing at your growing belly, unfortunately, things don’t work that way. There are only two things that affect the same and size of a pregnant woman’s baby bump and they are the size of the baby and the fetal position in which they are in, in the womb. Your baby is not going to take up more space and cause your bump to be bigger just because they are a girl or a boy!
3. Multiple Ultrasounds Are Unsafe For Your Baby
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Many expecting mothers tend to put off important doctors appointments because they think that multiple ultrasounds are unsafe for their baby. But there is no proof scientifically that prenatal ultrasounds are harmful for the fetus (3). Keep in mind that an ultrasound does not use radiation. Instead it uses high frequency sound waves which bounce off the baby in order then produce an image. The pregnant woman and the unborn child are safe as long as the procedure isn’t prolonged and the equipment is used by trained professionals. So, don’t skip out on your doctors appointments and checkups!
4. You Can’t Run While You’re Pregnant
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If you’ve run all your life and are wondering if you can still do it while pregnant, the answer is absolutely! Being pregnant doesn’t mean that you need to give up running, especially if you have a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy. In fact, it’s considered healthy for pregnant women to run or work out throughout every trimester of their pregnancy. But of course there are exceptions. If you suffer from high blood pressure, multiple gestation pregnancy or any other health complications, it’s best to check with your doctor before you venture off to exercise or run. This should also be the case if you didn’t run before being pregnant.
5. Morning Sickness Only Happens In The Morning
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Oh how we wish this were true! Morning sickness can occur at any time during the day so make sure you have some saltines and ginger ale on hand throughout the day. Thankfully , morning sickness often stops after the first trimester. Unless you’re a part of the unlucky 20% of women who experience it until they give birth (4).
Pregnancy is a beautiful and magical period in your life. But it can also be daunting and overwhelming, especially with all the false information around you. So, make sure you don’t fall for any of these myths and enjoy your pregnancy journey!
