From Cravings to Gender Predictions: Facts vs. Myths in Pregnancy

Myth:
The sex of the child depends on the size of the pregnant woman's stomach and the heartbeat of the fetus. It is believed that if the size of the pregnant woman's stomach is less big, then a son is born. Whereas if the bulge of the stomach is upwards, then a daughter is born. Similarly, it is also said that if the heart rate of the fetus is fast then it will be a girl and if it is slow then it will be a boy.

Fact:
The size of the stomach of a pregnant woman depends entirely on her physical factors. This includes muscle development, the capacity of the muscles associated with the stomach, how many children the woman has given birth to, the condition of the body and the size of the muscles of the uterus. As far as the heart rate of the fetus is concerned, during pregnancy its heart beats according to the health and age of the fetus. Therefore, it is just a myth that the sex of the child can be determined by the heart rate.

Myth:
The position of the stomach of a pregnant woman shows whether the baby growing in her womb is a boy or a girl.

Fact:
Always keep in mind that whatever prediction you or all your acquaintances make on the sex of the unborn child, it will be 50 percent correct and 50 percent wrong. Therefore, do not pay any attention to this myth that the position of your stomach will tell whether your child will be a boy or a girl. Also keep in mind that every woman carries her baby in the womb in a different way. It depends on the body size of the pregnant woman and her hips. It has nothing to do with the sex of the baby.

Myth:
The sex of the baby can be determined by the sex position.

Fact:
Some women must have heard about this 'idea'. They must be thinking that the sex position can determine the sex of the baby. But this is not true at all. Let us tell you that the sex position has no effect on the sex of the baby.

Myth:
The sex of the baby can be determined by looking at the full face of the pregnant woman or the shape of her face.

Fact:
Every pregnant woman gains weight differently. Not only this, every woman also experiences different changes in the skin during pregnancy. If someone says that your face is round and cheeks are red, then it will be a girl. They may be right, but there is no scientific evidence to determine the sex of the baby.

(Read more - Every Mother Should Know : Pregnancy Problems)

Myth:
Eating papaya and pineapple can cause miscarriage or labor pain. Therefore, women should not eat papaya and pineapple during pregnancy.

Fact:
Peeled papaya contains latex called chymopapine. Chymopapine is associated with uterine contractions. Similarly, pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain. Eating pineapple in large quantities can also cause uterine contractions. However, its negative effects are seen only when pregnant women eat these fruits in large quantities. Whereas if these fruits are consumed in limited quantities, then it can provide many benefits during pregnancy.

(Read more - How To Take Care During Pregnancy)

Myth:
Eating saffron and orange during pregnancy makes the baby fair in the womb. Especially in our country, it is believed that consuming saffron in milk regularly and eating orange makes the baby fair.

Fact:
Generally, the color of the baby depends on genetic properties. No research has been done so far on whether the baby's complexion becomes fair by consuming any kind of fruit or vegetable, nor does food have any effect on the baby's complexion.

Myth:
Eating some food makes the baby fair.

Fact:
This is also an unfounded myth. Just as it is said that consuming saffron makes the baby fair, this is not true. Similarly, any food has nothing to do with the color of the child. Some elders even surprise us in this regard. They tell pregnant women to stay away from iron-rich diets and iron supplements because they think that it will make the baby dark-skinned. Whereas a particular diet has no effect on the color of the baby, as mentioned earlier. Secondly, not taking iron supplements can be fatal for both the baby and the mother. So do not believe such myths at all.

(Read more - Perfect Pregnancy Breakfast)

Myth:
Sex should not be done during pregnancy. It is believed that having sex during pregnancy can lead to abortion. It can even increase labor pain.

Fact:
First of all, sex does not increase labor pain. According to experts, sex during pregnancy is safe. But it is important to take care of sex positions while having sex these days. There should be no pressure on the stomach during sex during pregnancy. Actually, during pregnancy, the fetus is inside the amniotic sac, in which it remains safe. Apart from this, the cervix protects your fetus from external infections.

If you have some complications like placenta previa, weak cervix, cervical insufficiency, deformed membrane (vaginal discharge), abnormal discharge and there are chances of premature delivery, then the doctor may advise you not to have sex during pregnancy.

Myth:
Eating ghee or butter makes delivery easier. It is often heard that older women give ghee or butter to eat to the pregnant woman a few hours before delivery. They believe that eating ghee contracts the uterus and makes the cervix smooth. As a result, delivery takes place easily.

Fact:
A normal delivery depends on many factors. This includes the shape of the fetus, size, presence of the child, size of the pelvis. Ghee or butter has no effect on delivery. This is just a myth.

(Read more - Diet during the first month of pregnancy)

Myth:
The skin glows during pregnancy. It is believed that the skin glows during pregnancy and the natural glow increases.

Fact:
It is true that a woman's face glows during pregnancy. In fact, during pregnancy, the blood circulation of the body increases, which nourishes the skin and also moisturizes it. Changes in hormones also play an important role in this. This is the reason why pregnant women look beautiful and their skin glows.

However, this fact does not apply to all women. Some women develop pimples and skin diseases during pregnancy. Even their skin looks worse than normal days. The only thing that can be said for such women is that their problem reduces after delivery.

Myth:
Pregnant women should not exercise. It is said that exercising can harm a pregnant woman. She may have a miscarriage. Even delivery can happen before time.

Fact:
The fact is that doing light exercise regularly is good and safe for a pregnant woman. According to experts, doing light exercise regularly keeps you physically ready for delivery. Doctors also advise pregnant women to exercise. However, it is important that pregnant women do not over-exercise. They should take the doctor's advice regarding the type of exercise they should do.

Myth:
Pregnant women cannot travel in a plane. It is said that traveling in a plane during pregnancy is not safe, because during traveling they have to pass through scanners many times, which emit radiation. Similarly, long flights can also harm the baby in the womb.

Fact:
It is true that air travel longer than 5 hours can cause physical problems. Especially those who have a problem with blood clotting. Therefore, pregnant women should not travel long distances. If the health of the pregnant woman is good, she is not facing any problem during this time, then she can easily travel by air. There is no solid reason behind not traveling by air when you are healthy. However, some airlines do not allow women to travel by air in the last days of pregnancy so that there is no possibility of delivery during the journey.

(Read more - Benefits Of Eating Sabudana During Pregnancy)

Myth:
It is believed that eating spicy food increases the risk of miscarriage and labor pain.

Fact:
No fact has come to light so far that supports this myth. However, eating spicy food can cause heartburn and gas problems. If pregnant women consume spicy food in limited or normal quantities, then it does not cause any harm to them.

Myth:
The more heartburn a pregnant woman has, the more hair the child has on his head.

Fact:
Whether the child will have more or less hair on his head depends on genetic factors. It has nothing to do with the woman's heartburn during pregnancy. The increasing weight of the fetus often pushes the digestive system towards the chest, which causes acid to form. This is the reason for the heartburn of a pregnant woman. Apart from this, there have been many such cases where the woman had a severe heartburn problem during pregnancy, but after delivery the woman gave birth to a child with less hair or no hair.

Myth:
Eclipse can cause genetic defects in the child.

Fact:
Due to inter-caste marriage, genetic defects can be seen in the child. But it has nothing to do with solar eclipse or lunar eclipse.

(Read more - Indigestion during pregnancy)

Myth:
Sleeping on the back during pregnancy is not right.

Fact:
Lying on the back during pregnancy can slow down the blood flow in the body. But till now no scientific facts have been proved in this regard that lying on the back of a pregnant woman is not right for the child. The situation of comfort and discomfort while lying down varies in all women. Usually doctors advise women to sleep on the left side. This keeps the blood flow in the lower part of the body better.

Myth:
Sleeping on the back during pregnancy is not right.

Fact:
Lying on the back during pregnancy can slow down the blood flow in the body. But till now no scientific facts have been proved in this regard that lying on the back of a pregnant woman is not right for the child. The comfort and discomfort of lying down varies in all women. Usually doctors advise women to sleep on their left side. This improves blood flow in the lower part of the body.

Myth:
Stress is not good for the fetus.

Fact:
Most of us believe that stress during pregnancy is not good. But recent research has shown that normal levels of stress are good for the fetus. This speeds up the development of the child and also improves the nervous system. Not only this, the brain of the fetus growing in the womb of pregnant women who take normal levels of stress works faster. Whereas this does not happen with the fetus of pregnant women who do not take stress. Apart from this, the mental level of children of mothers who take stress is also good.

(Read more - Eating Eggs During Pregnancy)

Many truths and myths related to pregnancy are prevalent among the common people. For example, it is true that a balanced diet and regular exercise during pregnancy are beneficial for both the mother and the baby. However, it is a myth that the shape or position of the belly can determine the sex of the baby. Pregnant women are advised to avoid papaya and pineapple, but ripe fruits in the right quantity are not harmful. Another myth is that flying during pregnancy is dangerous; while in a healthy pregnancy, traveling can be safe with the advice of a doctor. For correct information, one should always rely on the advice of experts.