Human and myths can never be parted, but when it comes to certain tales, it’s good to be informed before you swallow them hook line and sinker. The following are some pregnancy and childbirth myths, explained and debunked for your information.
Your water must break or your labor won’t start
The fact is, not all labors begin with the breaking of the water (amniotic fluid) and it is usually just a trickle and not quite what it’s often made out to be. Incidents of water gushing out might occur when the baby’s head blocks the water and it pushes out under the pressure of contraction. In many cases, a doctor may need to “break” the water during labor if it is not progressing well. Remember, if your contractions are strong and regular and frequent, it is a cue to make your way to the hospital instead of waiting for your water to break.
You shouldn’t eat during labor
There was a time when eating used to be discouraged but only because of the risk of food being regurgitated and inhaled into the lungs if a general anesthetic had to be given for a Caesarean section. However, now most Cesareans are done with a spinal block or epidural which eliminates this problem. In any case, most hospitals allow light snacks and sips of water or tea during labor.
Childbirth is never easy
Dramatic childbirths makes for great television, but it is rarely the way things happen in real life. The scene surrounding a childbirth event depends mainly on how the mother in labor is coping. Yes, there may be some loud noises during the peak of delivery — it may be inevitable for some mothers, to cope with contraction pains — but visions of women in labor screaming out helplessly or shouting obscenities to their spouses while doctors and nurses run frantically in and out of labor rooms are, as said earlier, mostly only seen as part of some heightened dramatic scenes in medical drama series and movies.
You will know when you are in labor
Well not necessarily so don’t take it for granted. There’s even a possibility you might not even notice when your labor begins. Sometimes contractions can be very mild when they begin, and they can drag out for as long as several days before you actually realize you are in labor. Often, pregnant moms may be several centimeters dilated without realizing it. So, be aware of what’s happening to your body and be well prepared to make your way to the hospital when the time comes.
Your labor will be just like your mother’s
If both your mother and you share pelvic shapes that are well-suited for the easy delivery of babies, then good for you but don’t assume that it will always play out this way. Your baby may be positioned differently or may be larger than the babies that your mother delivered. Due to a variety of factors your childbirth experience may vary vastly from your mom no matter how much you take after her in other ways.
Having epidural increases your chances of needing a C-section
There have been many myths surrounding epidurals but this one takes the cake. Epidural medications for childbirth have become extremely well refined in the last several years, and at this point studies show no connection between having an epidural and the consequent needing of a C-section.
Pubic hair has to be shaved for vaginal deliveries
Along with that myth is the one where an anema is needed too. Both may have been true a couple of decades ago. Pubic hair used to be promptly shaven off prior to childbirth as it was thought to be unhygienic, but research has successfully cleared up that myth some time ago. It was also believed in the past that an empty bowel meant less chance of infection, which was found to be yet another unfounded myth.
An episiotomy is a must during vaginal deliveries
In actual fact, the rates of episiotomies (a small cut made in the vaginal opening to avoid tearing) have declined considerably over the past years and they are by no means routine anymore. In any case, a doctor will wait till the baby is crowning to assess whether or not one might be needed. If you feel strongly about not having one, make sure you talk to your doctor about it ahead of time so you are both on the same page on this.
