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Legends, tales, and several other stories about pregnancy have been around since time immemorial. You would have probably heard your grandmother or older aunts share weird “facts” about pregnancy that made no sense. You always took it with a grain of salt and didn’t bother about it much. But now that you’re pregnant, it’s only natural that you want to know about these myths you heard to know if there was any truth to the tale. While numerous myths surround the topic of pregnancy and should not be considered, we’ve curated a list of several myths that actually might have some truth to them. Scroll below to know:
1. Your Baby Will Have Enemies If You Caress A Cat
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It might sound bizarre to you that you shouldn’t pet your cat when you’re pregnant, but there’s some truth to it. Of course, your baby will not be hated by all and make a foe everywhere they go. However, this myth probably came into existence because cats play a role in spreading toxoplasmosis, which can be fatal for your unborn child (1).
2. If You Sit On A Doorstep, Evil Spirits Will Take Your Baby Away
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If you live with elders in your house, you would have probably heard this. Before you get irritated with them, hold on because there might be some truth to it. No, we aren’t talking about the evil spirits from the beyond but the tiny allergens that exist among us. When you’re pregnant, you’re susceptible to infectious diseases and microorganisms in the air. Therefore, exposing yourself to the outdoors can compromise your baby’s health (2).
3. Watching Scary Movies Will Make Your Baby Ugly
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You’re gushing with hormones when you’re pregnant. Therefore, you tend to be more sensitive and emotional. Watching something scary might trigger stress which can be detrimental to you and your baby (3). Therefore, surround yourself with feel-good movies, television shows, and music rather than the ones that make your heart rate rise.
4. If You Cross Your Legs, Your Baby Will Be Club Footed
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There’s a lot said about your posture during pregnancy but giving birth to a club-footed baby if you cross your legs has got to be one of the weirdest of them all! But we think this myth came into the picture because women are supposed to sit straight in a certain way while pregnant. It could hurt your back and shoulders if you strained yourself too much (4).
5. Sleeping On Your Back Can Make Your Baby Choke
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You’ve been instructed by your doctor and everyone around you to sleep on your side. It’s the safest position to sleep in when you’re pregnant, especially during the final trimester of your pregnancy. Sleeping on your back could make it difficult for you to get up and also put a lot of pressure on your lower back.
6. Your Baby Will Be Washed Out If You Have A Bath
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It really makes us wonder — did our ancestors skip baths for nine whole months? While that might be a scary and disturbing thought, this myth has some truth to it. Research suggests that pregnant women who take hot water showers, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, have an increased chance of a miscarriage (5). So if you insist on taking a hot water bath, limit that time to 10 minutes or less.
When you’re pregnant, you will hear all sorts of things from people around you. They are only trying to help you keep you and your baby safe. While some of them seem ridiculous even to consider, others have some truth to them. Therefore, do your research and know where these myths originated from because you never know the facts behind them. What strange pregnancy myths have you heard? Tell us in the comments below!
