12 Common Pregnancy Myths
By: Julie Fletcher
In this article we will examine common myths about pregnancy. From conception to labor, we’ll hit the most common and expose the truth.
If a woman does not orgasm, she will not get pregnant.
False! The female orgasm has nothing to do with whether or not an egg has been released by the ovaries. While it is partially true that an orgasm can help with conception by causing the uterus to slightly dip, if you are in a fertile period of your cycle, the absence of orgasm will not matter.
Having anal sex will prevent any pregnancy.
False! Strange, but true. You will not get pregnant from having anal intercourse, but there is a very slight possibility that sperm can leak and enter the vagina. The rectum and vagina are close enough that sperm really can make the trip! The use of condoms with all sexual activity reduces the risk, so any time you participate in anal sex use a condom for safety reasons and to prevent an errant sperm from making it to your vagina.
You cannot get pregnant if he ‘pulls out’.
False! Did you know that pre-ejaculate contains sperm, too? Up to three hundred million sperm is contained in the ejaculate, but even before a male reaches orgasm sperm is already seeking a way to reach an egg. Any time a penis enters a vagina without birth control methods, pregnancy is a possibility. No birth control is one hundred percent foolproof.
Vitamin C can be used to prevent pregnancy.
True! Though not foolproof, the use of mega doses of Vitamin C after unprotected sex can sometimes avert pregnancy by thinning the lining of the uterus and making it an inhospitable place for a fertilized egg to implant itself. Mega doses of Vitamin C have been shown in some studies to cause certain heart problems recently, so the use should be discussed with your doctor. This is a viable option for women who do not use chemical methods or are allergic to synthetics.
Lemon Juice can prevent pregnancy.
Somewhat true. Lemon juice has been used for hundreds of years to prevent pregnancy. While there is no in depth study that shows what the effects of lemon juice on the interior of the vagina are, it is possible to use a solution of lemon juice and water to effectively kill sperm. The high acid content is the killing factor as sperm cannot survive in an acidic environment. Lemon juice does little to reduce the possibility of aquiring a sexually transmitted infection.
Now that we have covered a few myths surrounding conception, let’s examine some common old wives tales about your actual pregnancy.
How you ‘carry’ predicts gender.
False! Whether you carry high or low, your baby still has a fifty percent chance of being either sex. Women who are in their first pregnancy may carry higher than women who are in their second, third, or later pregnancies. Babies in later pregnancies tend to ‘drop’ sooner. Also, women who are thinner carry and show more than heavier women and can appear to carry ‘high’.
Fetal Heart rate indicates sex.
False! Many women swear by this method of detecting gender, but heart rate is not reliable in indicating sex. In fact, babies start with a faster heartbeat that slows somewhat as the baby develops. A heart beat of 150-160 in earlier Doppler readings can later drop to under 140. The only way to really know what your baby will be is through ultrasounds or chronic villia sampling (CVS) tests.
How you sleep or raise your arms can tangle the umbilical cord.
False! Nothing the mother does will cause the umbilical cord to tangle around the baby or tie itself into knots. While an estimated twenty percent or so of babies are borrn with the cord around theirr necks or other body parts, this came from the activity of the baby. Babies ‘jump’, twist, turn, and ‘flip’ inside of the womb. With a limited amount of room for baby and cord, it is inevitable that at some time in your pregnancy the baby moves its’ cord.
Sleeping on your back can cut blood circulation to the baby.
False! While it is true that lying on the left side helps circulation, lying on the back will not harm a baby or cut off blood flow to the placenta. Increased pressure on the back from the uterus during later months may cause pain or other discomfort, this sleeping position will not harm the baby.
Sex can hurt the baby.
False, false, false! Unless your doctor has asked you to avoid sexual activity, you can enjoy your partner all the way up to labor! Sex is actually beneficial for you as a stress reducer and exercise. Orgasms can cause strong uterine contractions, but will not start labor before your body is ready for labor to begin. Some people try to use sex as a labor inducer later in pregnancy because of the progladstins in ejaculate. This hormone helps ripen the cervix, but will not cause labor to begin unless your cervix is ready.
Those who do not supply what a pregnant woman craves will get a sty in the eye.
False! Though this old wives tale is false, it couldn’t hurt to pout and use this one if your significant other refuses to go out at three am for a cheeseburger. Come on, what pregnant woman would not want her cravings met?