Pregnancy is a mysterious period in a woman’s life.
Despite the fact that women have been conceiving since human beings appeared on the earth, a baby bump still puzzles many.
And due to the unknown nature of some of the symptoms experienced during this time, many theories have been floated in a bid to give insight into the possible causes.
This has created room for outrageous myths related to pregnancy, with some, sadly, being believed world over.
Many people will claim to know the gender of the baby depending on the shape of the expectant woman’s belly.
Legend says that if you are carrying low, you’re having a boy. If your belly is higher up, it’s a girl.
Many people will claim to know the gender of the baby depending on the shape of the expectant woman’s belly.
Photo credit: File I Nation Media Group
The truth: Healthline.com , the position of the baby is determined by the strength of the abdominal muscles. Stomach muscles stretch with subsequent pregnancies.
So, if a woman’s belly is higher up, it probably just means she has strong abdominal muscles or it’s her first pregnancy.
This myth holds that a woman with a full face, acne, or other skin problems during the pregnancy is carrying a girl, who ‘steals’ the beauty of the mother.
On the other hand, a smooth complexion and a prettier mother is said to be is carrying a boy.
The truth:
There are a number of spice-related myths and pregnancy including the one that eating spicy food will cause the unborn baby to be blind.
Others say, spices, especially chilli, will ‘burn’ the skin of the baby, resulting in light coloured birthmarks.
Eating spicy foods during pregnancy is perfectly safe. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The truth:
However, spicy dishes may lead to heartburn and a pregnancy safe antacid should be sought from the doctor.
Legend has it that a mother that experiences mild to severe heartburn will have a baby born with a full head of hair.
The truth:
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore found that when pregnant women reported moderate heartburn, they had hairy newborns 82 percent of the time; the majority of heartburn-free women gave birth to bald babies.
The researchers think there may be a connection between pregnancy hormones and the foetal hair growth.
Another study by Costigan KA1, Sipsma HL, DiPietro JA in 2006 published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information also found a correlation between heartburn and babies with magnificent manes.
The researchers think there may be a connection between pregnancy hormones relaxing part of the lower oesophagus being responsible for foetal hair growth.
In Kenya, legend has it that taking the soft drink will result in a lighter skinned baby as the liquid ‘washes’ the womb and possibly impurities that would darken the baby’s skin.
Some people believe that certain drinks ‘wash’ the womb and possibly impurities that would darken the baby’s skin. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Pregnant women are sometimes advised by well meaning family members, friends and even colleagues to abstain from any physical activities during pregnancy.
The truth:
“It’s completely healthy to take a stroll in the mornings and evenings and further exercise to keep you fit,” Dr Bansal advises.
Doctors say exercising is good for the mental and physical well-being of the expectant woman. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Some people think if a woman craves sweet foods, she may be carrying a girl, whereas salty cravings may indicate a boy.
The truth: Medical News Today , there is no scientific evidence to suggest that food cravings during pregnancy can indicate the sex of the baby.
It is recommended that an expectant mum should eat only 300 calories more a day. FILE PHOTO | NMG
The truth:
It is recommended that an expectant mum should eat only 300 calories more a day, which add up to three glasses of milk, or two slices of buttered bread with two eggs.
