What happens when we’re too connected to our phones?
Pregnancy requires a degree of preparation, but unfortunately not all things we hear about it are true. Some of these are indeed myths that have been passed on through generations, and many people are simply not sure if they're real or not. Luckily, science has come to our rescue and debunked some of the most common myths about pregnancy.
In this gallery, we debunk the pregnancy myths people still believe. Click on for some much-needed clarification.
Many women consume caffeine, either through tea, coffee, or other beverages. While pregnant women are able to benefit from the effects of caffeine, fetuses don’t have the enzymes to metabolize caffeine. Therefore consumption requires some caution.
Of three conducted studies on the matter, one showed that there was an increase in miscarriage, while the other two didn’t show any signs of increased risk.
In fact, the latter concluded that caffeine consumption "was associated with lower hypertension risk." To play it safe, limit your daily caffeine intake to no more than 200 milligrams, which is commonly considered a safe dose.
Many women believe that dying or bleaching their hair can be harmful for the fetus. While there is still a risk of inhaling some chemicals, if you dye your hair in a well-ventilated area it shouldn’t be a problem. Wearing gloves can also help reduce the contact with toxins.
Studies have been conducted about this, including one with 2,000 women, where 75% dyed their hair. The results showed that it didn’t affect the babies. "Your skin is a strong barrier that keeps the hair dye from getting inside your body,” explains obstetrician-gynecologist Salena Zanotti.
To be completely safe, there are still a few precautions you can take. Waiting until the second trimester of pregnancy before being exposed to the chemicals, for instance. This guarantees that the baby's key organs are already developed.
Barring any medical exceptions, it’s perfectly safe to have intimacy while pregnant. The fetus is well protected inside the womb and won’t be hurt by penetration.
Some women do, however, experience cramps and spotting occasionally. This shouldn’t be a cause for concern, as long as you don’t experience heavy bleeding or have any medical issues that may be aggravated by penetrative intimacy. If you have any doubts, talk to your doctor.
We’ve all heard about that pregnancy glow. But do pregnant women actually glow? Well, sort of. During pregnancy the skin gets stretched, it can get oilier, and it looks flushed, giving the woman a more radiant appearance.
An increase in progesterone and new blood can help give women that luminous appearance people talk about.
The excess oil can, however, also have the opposite effect in some women. The oil can in fact clog the pores and cause acne, as well as a condition known as melasma. Melasma occurs when there’s an excess of skin pigmentation (caused by pregnancy hormones), resulting in darker spots on the face.
When was the last time you saw an obstetrician-gynecologist giving chilies to a woman to help induce labor? Exactly. Believe it or not, a survey was conducted on the matter, with no births registered following the ingestion of spicy foods.
Spicy food can affect your intestines though, which in turn might lead to uterine contractions…and diarrhea. Also, spicy foods can cause heartburn and indigestion for some women during pregnancy. As for its power to induce labor, it remains unproven.
Okay, cats that consume raw meat may pose a threat to you and your baby’s health and indeed carry and transmit the toxoplasma parasite to humans.
And while pregnant women should steer clear of cat litter, the risk is not as high when precautions are taken. For instance, your pregnancy could be at risk if you were to touch your cat’s poop and then place your unwashed hand in your mouth—so don't!
Still take precautions, of course, but getting rid of your furry friend just because you’re pregnant is probably overkill. You can always ask someone to change your cat litter while you're pregnant, if possible.
The moon does have an impact on a lot of things on our planet, but pregnancy is not one of them. Or is it? Well, a study looked at more than 500,000 births over 60 lunar cycles and found no statistical differences in birth rates between the different phases of the moon.
Though a 2017 study, with a smaller sample of just over 8,000 births over a year, found that around 15% more babies were born during the full moon, when compared to other phases of the moon.
The theory is that the moon affects tides, which increase during storms (storms are characterized by a low barometric pressure). There is an anecdotal correlation between lower barometric pressure and more births, but perhaps saying that a full moon induces labor is a bit of a stretch.
This is yet another old wives' tale about pregnancy, right? Well, not so fast. At least one small study (64 women) found a correlation between heartburn and babies being born with lots of hair.
But can such a small study sample indicate an accurate cause-and-effect relationship? Some medical professionals disagree. The more likely correlation is the high levels of estrogen during pregnancy, which can both cause heartburn and play a role in the amount of hair the baby is born with.
Sleeping can be hard with all the nausea, hunger, and hormonal changes. So, being restricted in the position you can sleep doesn’t sound great. While sleeping on your left side is optimal for circulation, doing so on the right is not going to be the end of the world for you or your baby.
There are, however, two studies that chime in on the matter. One found that women who slept on their backs during the late months of pregnancy enjoyed health benefits, including better sleep quality.
The other study found that "sleeping on the back or side through the 30th week of pregnancy does not appear to increase the risk of stillbirth, reduced size at birth, or high blood pressure disorders of pregnancy."
Women will gain weight during pregnancy, but obesity can be prejudicial for the fetus. A study found that “40% of normal-weight and 60% of overweight women gained excessive weight during pregnancy. Obese women gained the least, although one-fourth of these women gained 35 or more pounds.”
Some doctors recommend a caloric surplus of 300 calories a day, not actually doubling the amount of food you eat daily.
Between 2000-2007, some 6,000 women participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. The study found that "bath length was not significantly associated with risk for any birth defect."
Being exposed to a higher temperature increases the risk of maternal hyperthermia, potentially leading to birth defects. Though a study found that pregnant women can safely sit in a hot bath (40°C/104°F) for up to 20 minutes.
Consuming alcohol during pregnancy is actually the leading cause of congenital disabilities. The fetus is unable to break down alcohol as the mother can, being exposed to it for much longer periods of time.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. Furthermore, babies can develop a number of conditions affecting behavior and learning, as well as develop physical disabilities.
Who needs an ultrasound when you can just listen to the baby’s heartbeat? Apparently, if the fetus has a heart rate over 140, it’s a girl. A lower heart rate would indicate a boy. However, research actually says that the real number is on average 152 for girls, and 155 for boys.
The due date is a prediction calculated using a formula, and it’s rarely the exact date when the baby will be born. Research indicates that only about 4-6% of babies are actually born on their due date.
See also: Things you cannot do while pregnant
Pregnancy myths people still believe
Do cats and hair dye really pose a threat?
HEALTH Motherhood
Pregnancy requires a degree of preparation, but unfortunately not all things we hear about it are true. Some of these are indeed myths that have been passed on through generations, and many people are simply not sure if they're real or not. Luckily, science has come to our rescue and debunked some of the most common myths about pregnancy.
In this gallery, we debunk the pregnancy myths people still believe. Click on for some much-needed clarification.