Common Myths About Pregnancy

Common myths about pregnancy persist, even though women have been having babies for centuries. Research has shot down many pregnancy myths, although a few do have a grain of truth to them. Can you separate pregnancy myth from fact? See how you do with these popular myths.

The baby's sex can be determined by the position used for sexual intercourse.
The father's sperm carries either the X chromosome or the Y chromosome. If the sperm is carrying the X chromosome, the result will be a daughter. If the sperm is carrying the Y chromosome, the result will be a son. The position used during sexual intercourse has no effect on the sex of the child. The bit of truth here is that sperm with X chromosomes are a little larger and slower than those with Y chromosomes, but not so much so that standing or laying back will let one group reach the egg first.

Standing on your head will help you get pregnant.
Acrobatics won't help sperm find their way to your egg. Doctors do recommend lying down for 20 to 30 minutes after intercourse if you're trying to conceive, because this allows sperm to stay in your cervix.

You can't get pregnant the first time you have sex, aka virgins cannot get pregnant.
Pregnancy can happen the first time you have intercourse if the time of the month is right for pregnancy and birth control is not being used. This is true for any female. Age and experience have nothing to do with your chances of getting pregnant.

The sex of the baby can be determined by the size and shape of your pregnant belly.
The belief that a boy causes the mother to carry "low" is false. The baby's weight and position in the uterus determine how your belly looks to others.

The baby's heart rate determines whether I am carrying a boy or girl.
A baby's fetal heart rate can range from 120 to 160 beats per minute. The heart rate can change at any time. Gestational age and the mother's activities also determine how fast or slow the heart rate may be at any particular time. The heart rate does not determine whether you will be having a boy or girl.

Certain activities with your arms, such as hanging wash outside, cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby's neck.
The mother's activities, such as raising her arms, exercising or stretching, do not cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby's neck. Only movement by the baby will determine whether the umbilical cord will get wrapped around the neck. There is nothing the mother can do to prevent this.

Keep your pregnancy secret to avoid a miscarriage.
Many women believe that telling others about their pregnancy before the third trimester invites a higher risk of miscarriage. This is pure superstition, but there is some medical fact behind it. Around 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, which is slightly more common for first pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage drops significantly after the eighth week and continues to fall in each of the following weeks. Practically speaking, fewer people will know about a miscarriage if you keep the news about your pregnancy to yourself during the first few weeks.

Sexual intercourse can stimulate labor.
There's no research to back up this claim. Psychologically, however, it could help you to relax.

If you are unsure of any information you read or hear from others about your pregnancy, always consult your doctor for the proper answer. Do not rely on possible myths from family, friends, and other sources.