Here are some questions that our expectant mothers may be silently pondering.
Let’s acknowledge it: Pregnancy, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful phases in a woman’s life, can also be one of the most daunting due to its myriad complexities. While obtaining reliable information is crucial for every expecting mother, who naturally desires the best for her growing baby, it’s easy to fall prey to various pregnancy myths lacking medical evidence. From the peculiar to the plausible, countless myths circulate, making it challenging to discern truth from falsehood. Questions like “Should I eat for two?” or “Will consuming ghee aid in delivery?” often arise, alongside advice like hanging pictures of babies in the room for good luck.
To address these concerns, we consulted Dr. Ritu Sethi, Senior Consultant Gynecologist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Gurgaon. In a candid discussion, she debunked some of the most common myths her patients believe in, offering clarity and reassurance.
Myth 1: Pregnancy means eating for two
Dr. Ritu Sethi: No, you should not be eating for two. Your calorie intake should depend upon your Body Mass Index (BMI). Not every woman is recommended to gain 10-12 kg during pregnancy. If you have a normal body weight, a weight gain of 10-12 kg is recommended. If you fall into the overweight category, you are not expected to gain more than 6-8 kg. For obese women, the recommended weight gain should not exceed 2-4 kg. Underweight women may be advised to gain 10-15 kg depending on their BMI.
What you should be doing:
Focus on consuming a balanced diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats in moderation, and ensure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. It’s important to incorporate fiber into your diet through sources like salads to prevent issues like water retention and constipation.
Myth 2: You can determine the gender of the baby by the shape of the belly or the heart rate
Dr. Ritu Sethi: The gender of the baby is determined once the embryo has been implanted. It is not possible to determine the baby’s gender by examining the mother’s appearance, the shape of the belly, or even the heart rate. Many patients ask about the baby’s heart rate, assuming that a lower heart rate indicates a boy and a higher heart rate indicates a girl. However, this is not true. The baby’s heart rate fluctuates constantly, and the normal range is between 120 and 160 beats per minute.
Myth 3: Avoid consuming peanuts during pregnancy as it can cause allergies
Dr. Ritu Sethi: New allergies do not develop during pregnancy. In fact, some individuals may already have food allergies before becoming pregnant, and they should continue to avoid those specific foods. For example, if someone is lactose intolerant, they should avoid dairy products and instead opt for substitutes like yogurt and paneer.
Myth 4: Consume a lot of ghee during your last trimester as it will aid in delivery
Dr. Ritu Sethi: There’s no truth to that belief. Ghee can help alleviate constipation and provide some comfort, but it may also lead to weight gain. You can consume it if you enjoy it, but be mindful not to gain too much weight, as it could make pushing during a normal delivery more challenging. Eating ghee won’t directly affect the baby’s position because it is processed in the intestines and will not influence the mode of delivery.
Myth 5: Castor oil aids in facilitating a normal delivery
Dr. Ritu Sethi: Many older obstetricians used to recommend castor oil to induce labor pains. The idea behind this was that castor oil acts as an irritant to the intestines, potentially triggering contractions. However, it’s important to note that this method does not reliably induce labor pains. Excessive irritation to the intestines can sometimes result in the baby passing stool, known as meconium.
Myth 6: Avoid rubbing your belly as it will spoil the child
Dr. Ritu Sethi: Rubbing the belly will not have any significant effects for most of the pregnancy. However, it should be avoided in later stages as it can potentially lead to contractions.
Myth 7: Avoid looking at ugly things as it will make the baby ugly
Dr. Ritu Sethi: The baby’s skin color, facial features, and intelligence are determined by genetics. Eating certain foods or looking at particular images will not affect the baby’s appearance or intelligence. Viewing pictures or watching movies, including horror movies, will not impact the baby’s physical or mental health.
Myth 8: Morning sickness only occurs in the morning
Dr. Ritu Sethi: That’s not accurate. In fact, it’s more of a misnomer. Pregnant women often feel sicker in the evening. Many of them start feeling more nauseous after lunch. The term “morning sickness” has been used for ages, associating it with feeling sick in the morning. However, most patients report feeling nauseous throughout the day, often feeling overwhelmed by various smells and not feeling like eating dinner.
Myth 9: If a woman experiences heartburn during pregnancy, the baby will be born with hair
Dr. Ritu Sethi: Heartburn occurs because the growing belly pushes the stomach, slowing down digestion. The delay in digestion is caused by the stomach and food pipe being pushed up. Therefore, heartburn has no relation to the amount of hair growing around the baby.
Myth 10: After a cesarean section, a normal delivery is not possible
While not entirely accurate, it’s generally less common for a woman who has undergone a cesarean section to have a normal delivery in subsequent pregnancies. Cesarean sections are typically performed when the baby’s head isn’t descending, the mother is exhausted, or the baby’s heart rate is significantly slow. However, in subsequent pregnancies, the possibility of a normal delivery can be considered based on the individual’s risk factors. Inducing labor with medication in cases of previous cesarean sections can be risky if the patient doesn’t go into labor naturally.