14 myths about pregnancy ... here is the truth

There is a great deal of advice and information related to pregnancy, most of which revolves around how to know the child's sex, what a woman can do during pregnancy, or what she should avoid. In a report published by the American "Medical News Today", author Gina Fletcher talked about the common myths about pregnancy in America, and the myths themselves seem to be spread all over the world.

Myth 1: Morning sickness occurs only in the morning
Despite this designation, morning sickness can affect pregnant women throughout the day, as only 2% of pregnant women experience morning sickness in the morning period. Usually morning sickness begins in the fourth week of pregnancy and ends in week 16.

Myth 2: Scarcity of pregnancy with twins
Pregnancy with twins is more common than people think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, about 128,310 twin babies were born in 2017, and twins accounted for approximately 33 cases per thousand births in the United States.

Myth 3: Heartburn means the density of the newborn's hair
There is not a lot of evidence to confirm this is true. A study published in 2006 found that 23 out of 28 women who reported suffering from moderate or severe heartburn, gave birth to children with an average hair amount or just a little more than the average. The researchers believe that this is caused by pregnancy hormones that affect hair growth and cause the muscles that separate the esophagus from the stomach to relax.

Myth 4: Predicting the gender of the baby
People have used several techniques to predict the sex of a child, such as using a pregnant woman's face or abdomen shape to guess the sex and rotating the wedding ring with a thread above the abdomen. None of these methods are accurate indicators for determining the sex of the fetus.

Myth 5: A pregnant woman should eat enough for two people
Women need to increase their calorie intake slightly during pregnancy, but they should not eat too much because it is harmful to the health of the mother and the fetus. You should continue with your usual diet while making sure to eat nutrient-rich foods.

Myth 6: Exercise should be avoided during pregnancy
Pregnant women should do light or moderate exercises during pregnancy for two to five days a week.

Myth 7: High teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy in the United States is slowly decreasing because of increased contraceptive use, research suggests. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of registered teenage pregnancies between 15 and 19 years reached 194,377 cases in 2017, registering a 7% decrease from 2016.

Myth 8: Eating some foods may cause allergies
Pregnant women can eat foods that people often associate with allergies without the risk of affecting the fetus, such as nuts and milk, provided they are not previously infected. However, women should avoid certain foods, such as raw meat, seafood, and some types of cheese for various health reasons.

Myth 9: Avoid having sex during pregnancy
Sex has no effect on a healthy pregnancy, as recent research shows it does not increase the risk of premature birth. Doctors advise to abstain from sex in rare cases such as heavy bleeding during pregnancy. Those with placenta problems or cervical insufficiency should also consult a physician.

Myth 10: Get away from cats
Many women avoid contact with cats during pregnancy because they have heard they cause infection. Cat stools can carry toxoplasmosis, so a pregnant woman must wear gloves to remove cat litter or seek someone’s help. However, it is okay for a pregnant woman to come into contact with cats as long as she is careful.

Myth 11: A pregnant woman cannot drink coffee
Pregnant women can drink one cup of coffee per day, taking care not to exceed 200 mg of caffeine.

Myth 12: Pregnant woman be happy and supple all the time
Pregnancy can be difficult for many women, as the flow of hormones, changes in the body, and fatigue negatively affect physical and mental health and the mood of the woman.

Myth 13: Natural delivery is not possible after cesarean section
Normal vaginal delivery can take place after a cesarean delivery. The decision about the type of birth depends on the circumstances of the current pregnancy and the condition of the woman and ensuring that there are no possible complications.

Myth 14: Some foods and drinks accelerate labor
Most of the recommended natural and alternative medications to stimulate labor have no scientific basis. A study published in 2018 shows that some herbal medicines may be effective, but some common natural methods differ in terms of safety. Castor oil may irritate the uterus and contract it, as well as cause diarrhea instead of labor.

Moreover, there is no evidence that eating spicy foods stimulates labor but can cause digestive disorders and heartburn.