Everyone knows that as soon as family, friends, and acquaintances find out that you're having a baby, they feel compelled to tell you all the "myths" and common misconceptions associated with pregnancy. Well, we'd like to clear up some of those misconceptions.
Here are a few of the most common:
1. Myth: You cannot get pregnant while you are breast-feeding your baby.
You should be aware that your ovaries may begin to function before menstruation begins. This means you may become pregnant before your first menstrual period if you engage in intercourse without using birth control. You should use a reliable form of birth control three to four weeks after delivery if you are going to have sexual relations and do not want to get pregnant.
If you are breast-feeding your baby, your menstrual periods may be delayed for several months or possibly not resume until you stop breast-feeding. It is still possible, however, to get pregnant while you are nursing your baby. Breastfeeding is not a reliable form of contraception (birth control).
2. Myth: If you have acid reflux or "heartburn" in pregnancy, your baby will be born with a lot of hair.
This has nothing to do with the amount of hair the baby will be born with. It is simply caused by the pressure put on the stomach and intestines by the enlarging baby and uterus, which make digestion more difficult. Another function is hormones that cause the sphincter muscles of the stomach to relax.
Some simple steps to take to minimize the problem are as follows:
- Avoid eating spicy and greasy foods
- Eat more slowly
- Avoid lying flat particularly after eating; an extra pillow at night may give some relief
- Tums may relieve some of the symptoms
Do you have any interesting myths? Send your myth to us!