Scary Pregnancy Myths: From Sex to Kitty Cats

Whether we've had a child or not we've all heard the myths that revolved around pregnancy. I remember my friend Rachel calling me in tears asking if she really couldn't touch red meat until after she'd had her baby. She was having her first baby and wanted to do everything right. How could she cook for her husband if she couldn't handle red meat? I assured her that was just silly. As it turned out, another friend of hers had used this on her husband so she didn't have to cook. There was no truth to it.

Pregnancy can bring out the very best and the very worst in our friends and family. They want to be helpful but they can also be very wrong. A first time mother often feels overwhelmed and a bit scared about all the advice and warnings she receives. Even though some stories, such as the red meat tale, are totally untrue that doesn't stop us from believing them.

Sex Will Harm My Baby

Unless you have complications and have been warned by your doctor not to have sex, you can go ahead and enjoy the company of your spouse. Women who are pregnant often enjoy sex and find the closeness especially comforting during this time. Pregnant women often report sex is better than ever! Don't worry about dad hurting Jr. in any way, he or she is well protected in the uterus.

Love You Kitty But You Have To Go

Cats seem to get a bad rap when it comes to pregnancy and children. I've heard you can't have a cat in the house while pregnant. I've also heard my cats will "steal my baby's breath" while the baby is sleeping. If you love your cat you'll be happy to know these are both untrue. What you do need to worry about is the litter box. Used litter can contain a parasite known as toxoplasma gondii. This can be dangerous to pregnant women and unborn children. If you have had your cat for a while chances are you are already immune to it but it is always smart to have someone else take over the scooping duties while you are pregnant. Other than that, kitty is free to stay.

Have a Baby, Lose a Tooth

Though some women do have dental problems during pregnancy there really is no truth to this myth. The key is to eat right and remember to brush your teeth. If you are losing teeth during pregnancy it stands to reason your teeth weren't in the best shape before you got pregnant. Be sure to drink plenty of milk and keep those pearly whites brushed each day. Not only is calcium good for your teeth, your baby needs plenty of it as well.

Don't Take a Bath While Pregnant

"Don't take a bath while you are pregnant or the dirty bath water will get up inside and harm the baby". That does sound a little scary doesn't it? Rest assured it is not true! You're baby is completely encompassed in the amniotic sac and that is protected by the mucus plug. The only worry with a bath during pregnancy is the water temperature. Keep the baths warm, not hot. Pregnant women may find great comfort in a warm bath. They are great to soothe aches and pains, especially back pain.

You Can Tell the Sex of Your Baby By....

Pouring Drano and some urine in a cup? Swinging a wedding ring on a string over your swollen tummy? The shape of your face during pregnancy? How high or low you are carrying your baby? These myths are very common but are hardly good indicators of the sex of your unborn child. If you really want to know an ultrasound should do the trick. Though be warned, on occasion these have been wrong too!

Seatbelts Will Harm the Baby

This one is dangerous because you should always wear a seatbelt. It is always safer to do so no matter what your condition. The trick is how you wear the belt. Always place the lap belt across your lap under your belly. Position the shoulder belt so it goes around your belly and not over it. The force of an exploding airbag may do more damage to your child than any seatbelt. You may want to consider riding in the back if you have airbags in your car. Seatbelts save lives. It doesn't matter how well you protect baby if you don't survive an accident.

You'll Choke the Baby By Raising Your Arms High

The myth says that if you raise your arms up over your head you will cause the baby to be choked by the umbilical cord. Though almost 25 to 30 percent of babies will be born with the cord around their neck or other body part, most are delivered safely. Rest assured if this happens it has nothing to do with you reaching up to the top shelf to retrieve that hidden box of cookies. Umbilical cords are long and any looping or even knotting is a result of the baby moving around inside of you.

Drink Plenty of Water to Keep Your Amniotic Fluid Clean

"If you don't drink enough water your baby will be mucking around in dirty amniotic fluid". That sounds horrible! The truth is that amniotic fluid will regenerate itself every three hours. Baby is making a big mess in there but your body takes care of it despite the amount of water you drink. The good thing about this myth is that you really should be drinking as much water as possible. That can only be beneficial to you and your baby. Baby may not need it for a bath but it certainly makes good sense to drink up anyway.