Unconventional Beliefs Surrounding Pregnancy Revealed
In this article, I, a pregnant woman, will be sharing updates about my pregnancy journey on my videos and Instagram photos. As I navigate through this exciting yet challenging time, I want to debunk common pregnancy myths and share the facts with you.
Firstly, let's address the "pregnancy glow." Contrary to popular belief, this is not a scientifically proven phenomenon. The radiant look often associated with pregnancy may be due to factors such as sweat, sleep, mood, or energy.
Another myth that needs debunking is the belief that one can tell a baby's gender based on the shape of the mother's belly. This is a myth, and the gender of the baby cannot be determined by the shape of the mother's belly.
Pregnancy brings about a myriad of changes, and it's essential to be aware of what to avoid. For instance, pregnant women should be careful about the cold medicines they take as some can cross the placenta. Similarly, certain cheeses like Brie, feta, and goat cheese that might carry food-borne illnesses should be avoided.
However, it's important to note that pregnant women can consume pasteurized cheese. Also, it's advisable to avoid activities that pose a risk of falling, such as bungee jumping or rock climbing.
Pregnancy is a time when many myths abound, but science provides us with a wealth of knowledge to separate fact from fiction. For example, it's a myth that birth control causes long-term infertility. Hormonal birth control generally does not cause permanent infertility.
Similarly, while highly effective when used correctly, no birth control method (except abstinence) is 100% foolproof, so pregnancy is still possible but unlikely.
As I continue on my pregnancy journey, I will be sharing human behavior science related to pregnancy, babies, and parenting on my platform. I will also be playing a game called The Pregnancy Game with my audience, sharing updates and insights along the way.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that the time of year a baby is born may have a lasting impact on their physical development and potential risk of certain conditions. Eating chocolate during pregnancy may have benefits, such as reducing the risk of high blood pressure and encouraging more smiling and laughing in babies at six months of age.
Moms' colds will not make their babies sick, and exercise during pregnancy is beneficial for the mother, helping her stay limber and strong for labor.
In conclusion, the science behind common pregnancy myths and facts often reveals a gap between culturally persistent beliefs and research-backed evidence in reproductive health. As a pregnant woman, I hope to share my journey and help bridge this gap by sharing facts and debunking myths.
[1] American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2017). Birth Control Methods. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/birth-control-methods
[2] Cahill, L., & Nelson, C. A. (2014). The neurobiology of maternal behavior. Neuron, 83(4), 773-786.
[3] Kupka, R., & Kupka, M. (2014). The role of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology: A review. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 36(11), 873-882.
[4] National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2017). In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Retrieved from: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/Pages/in-vitro-fertilization.aspx
[5] World Health Organization. (2018). Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injections. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/family_planning/depo-provera-contraceptive-injections/en/
- Science debunks the myth that eating chocolate during pregnancy can encourage more smiling and laughing in babies at six months of age, but it may reduce the risk of high blood pressure for the mother.
- Just like the birth control method Depo-Provera, consistently using hormonal birth control generally does not cause permanent infertility, disproving the myth.
- In the realm of health and wellness, it's important to remember that while exercise during pregnancy is beneficial for the mother, common cold viruses cannot be passed down from moms to their babies.
- Mental health is a crucial aspect of family health, and it's worth noting that popular fashion trends and beauty practices have little to no impact on women's health or parenting abilities, thereby bridging the gap between belief and research-backed evidence.
These insights, based on the work of reputable sources such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, aim to help pregnant women and parents navigate common pregnancy myths and find factual information about reproductive health.
