Pregnancy myths, old wives' stories and superstitions play an important role in society whether we realize it or not. Cultures around the world have different superstitions about every topic in life, with pregnancy and babies always being popular topics. Since the dawn of time, the world and its cultures have had strange ideas about pregnancy. Some ideas may seem silly, while others are seen as life and death. Although the list below is seen as a collection of "myths" and superstitions, we must always remember that for some, these ideas are honored and taken as facts. Whether we believe in them or not, we should have an open mind and about something, learn something about the beliefs of other cultures.
Old wives' stories about determining a baby's gender
Myths and superstitions about determining a baby's gender have been very popular through the ages for one reason:they are right 50% of the time. Biological sex has been and will forever be a hot topic of debate for anyone who may experience pregnancy. With so many old wives' stories floating around, is it possible for any of them to be true?
Carries low or high
A very well-known pregnancy myth is about the pregnant woman's elongated upper body. Many will say that if the stomach is low, a boy will be born. If it is loud, a little girl will be welcomed into the world. Of course, thousands of years of reproduction and many studies have concluded that this is simply an old wife's story. Whether you carry high or low is no indication of the sex of the baby.
The Ring Test
The ring test is a test that many people like to try out whether they believe it or not. According to myth, a wedding ring, needle or needle should be tied on a strand of hair and dangling over the pregnant belly. If the hanging object swings sideways, the chances are high that it will be a boy. If the ring swings in circles, a girl is expected.
As you might expect, because of how easy it can be to manipulate the hanging object unconsciously, this myth is myth-resolved. Hanging something over a pregnant belly will not be an indication of whether you have a little boy or girl.
Morning Nausea
This pregnancy myth is pretty straightforward. If the pregnant woman experiences severe morning sickness, they will have a girl. Why? We're not really that sure.
Glowing or not
Another pregnancy myth that seems to go in for families to have a boy. According to this old wife's story, if the pregnant parent "glows", they have a boy. It is a common superstition that having a daughter takes away one's beauty and removes the familiar "glow" that everyone seems to be talking about.
Unborn baby's heart rate
This pregnancy myth is almost supported by science - almost . Many people think that higher heart rate is an indication of having a girl. While this would be a fun thing to be exact, it is not true. The fetal heart rate is usually between 120 - 160 beats per minute, which is much faster than an adult. During development, the heart rate will also change drastically. So no, getting a high heart rate when it comes to scanning does not necessarily mean getting a baby girl.
Sweet or salty cravings
Sugar and spices and all goodies ... or so it is called. If you fancy all the cute things in the world, this pregnancy myth says you will get a girl. Salt cravings, however, mean you get a boy. Once again, you may not know if you have a boy or a girl based on your strange but completely understandable cravings.
Partner weight gain
Best not to even ask where this one came from. Apparently, if your partner puts on weight during pregnancy (called sympathetic), you will get a girl. Then again, some pregnancy myths say that if your partner does not gain weight you get a girl. It seems like we never want to know for sure, but does it matter?
Old wives' stories of bad luck during pregnancy
In many cultures, doing (or not doing) certain things can be seen as horrible bad luck. Although we may think we are making our own happiness, this superstition is taken very seriously in some parts of the world.
Do not attend weddings
In Chinese culture, it can be seen as bad luck if you attend a wedding while you are pregnant. This is because it is unlucky to outshine the bride with the famous pregnancy glow. Having someone who is pregnant in the same room as the bride and groom is said to cause a clash of 'qi energy' or 'luck' as many may know. This collision can backfire on pregnancy, and accidents can be linked to the unborn baby.
Do not attend funerals
This superstition spans several cultures, including some Native American and Jewish. According to this pregnancy myth, attending a funeral while pregnant can lead to miscarriage. Fortunately, this is no more than a superstition, but it may be worth avoiding overly stressful events if you are pregnant, just in case.
Do not announce your pregnancy
According to Bulgarian tradition, announcement of pregnancies can be unlucky and result in miscarriage. This is because it is believed that by making the announcement you are jinxing the baby's life. Due to this pregnancy myth, it is common for Bulgarian women to hide their pregnancy for as long as possible.
This superstition is probably about the fact that miscarriage is more common in the first trimester and rare in the second and third. By keeping the pregnancy secret, it is thought that you keep the baby safe, and ensure that the pregnancy goes to full term.
Do not take a baby shower or receive gifts
There's a reason you do not see baby shows in Jewish culture. According to Jewish pregnancy myths, it is unlucky to buy an unborn baby a gift of some kind and invites evil. This evil will cause chaos and potentially cause a miscarriage because you showed your happiness by having a baby shower.
Do not let strangers or acquaintances touch your abdomen
In many cultures, a pregnant parent will not allow anyone other than close friends and family to touch their baby skin. This is because they believe that by strangers touching their pregnant belly, they are inviting evil to their baby. Many people believe that letting others put their hands on a pregnant belly can lead to the baby being taken from the womb, probably in the form of a miscarriage.
Do not step on ropes
Stepping on ropes is seen as bad luck by many. In this pregnancy myth, it is believed that by stepping on a rope, you twist the umbilical cord around the baby's neck. As with all of these so far, this is completely wrong. Stepping on ropes, regardless of type, will have no consequence for the placement of the umbilical cord in a pregnant person's uterus.
Do not lift your hands over your head
Like the one above, this pregnancy myth says that lifting your hands over your head will cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the unborn baby's head. It should be noted that nothing you do will affect the position of the umbilical cord around the unborn baby.
Pregnancy myths about your baby and your birth
Finally, we will look at a few pregnancy myths about birth and the baby. These are all interesting and you can even be a little supported by science. Ultimately, there really is no way to know how to give birth, when to give birth or what your baby will end up looking like. Strange things can happen after all.
Anyone carrying an unborn baby should not dye their hair
It comes as no surprise that some hair dyes have harmful chemicals. Many people say that you should not dye your hair while you are pregnant because it can harm your baby. Hair coloring is not harmful to you or your baby (if you are not allergic), but coloring your hair too much is probably not good for anyone. If you are concerned about the safety of your baby and have a hair deal on the way, do not worry about it. Dyeing your hair does not endanger your baby.
Heartburn means your baby gets hairy
Ok, this one has very weak evidence to support it, but evidence nonetheless. This "myth" about pregnancy states that heartburn during pregnancy is an indicator of how hairy the baby will be when it is born. A small study was done on this topic, and it was found that those who considered heartburn more serious during pregnancy, gave birth to babies with more hair on their heads. The baby's "leaky lures" were rated by others, and the high ratings were consistent with the feedback from heartburn that the pregnant parent experienced. So if you experience a lot of heartburn, you may actually give birth to a baby with some amazing hair.
You should not exercise while you are pregnant
This pregnancy myth is nothing more than that - a myth. Although it is not recommended to Start Exercising when you are pregnant, it is okay to continue to be active when you are with a child. Since everyone is different, some expectant parents can continue the exercise regimen even if they are seen as "extreme", but this is not for everyone. Toning down on some exercises can be a good idea for some, while continuing at the same or similar pace may work well for others. It is always best to consult a professional before rushing to make a decision in these matters.
Flying must be avoided while you are pregnant
A common pregnancy myth and not always one you should listen to. The risk associated with flying is aimed at increasing the risk of blood clots forming. Although for obvious reasons it is not recommended to fly when you are close to the due date, there is no need to worry about flying. You do not have to cancel your flight or vacation just because you are pregnant. If you feel comfortable enough to fly, there is no real reason for you to stop unless you are told otherwise by the caregiver.
Not indulging in cravings can cause your baby to get a birthmark
A very interesting pregnancy myth indeed. Many people believe that it is your duty, as the pregnant parent, to indulge in your cravings. By doing this, you prevent your unborn baby from getting a birthmark in the form of the food you refused to eat. Of course, not all cravings are actually edible, so if you think you fancy the taste of a brick, contact your nurse as soon as possible. If you've looked at that combination of pickles and orange juice, what's stopping you? Do you want your baby to have a birthmark in the form of a pickle all his life?
You must avoid an eclipse at all costs
This pregnancy myth seems to originate from India. The belief is that the eclipse and any ray of light from it must be avoided by anyone who is pregnant. Any pregnant women are expected to stay home in the event of an eclipse and stay indoors with the windows closed so that no light enters the building. In India, an eclipse is considered a bad sign, and as long as the eclipse lasts, no sharp objects should be touched. You are expected to fast, rest and refrain from swimming before the eclipse has passed, otherwise you risk serious consequences.
Rubbing your stomach too much can lead to a spoiled child
Another pregnancy myth originates from China. This superstition works on the basis of showing love to an unborn baby by rubbing a pregnant belly. By rubbing the stomach too much, the baby will be spoiled and demanding as an infant and as it grows up. So if you do not want to have a demanding child in the house, limit the time you spend rubbing the pregnant belly.
Several babies are born on a full moon
The moon is a common factor in pregnancy myths (if you do not believe me, just google it). Many people swear that more babies are born during the full moon. Why? We have no idea. Statistically, there is no significant difference in the number of births on a full moon compared to any other lunar phase. Considering that it is generally believed that animals change on a full moon, it is not so difficult to see where this myth may have come from.
What do you think about these pregnancy myths?
This list is by no means all the pregnancy myths, superstitions and old wives' stories out there, but they are interesting. In some countries there is a widespread belief that pregnant women should not look at something that is considered ugly for fear that their babies will be ugly when they are born. Others believe that the position you were in during intercourse has an impact on the sex of the baby. Some of these ideas may seem strange and others may feel real. What pregnancy myths, superstitions or old wives' stories did you grow up hearing about?