- Sindhuja Jane
If you eat saffron during pregnancy, the baby will be born fair-skinned; you can predict the baby’s gender by the shape of the belly; you should not eat papaya; you should not exercise... Many such things are said during pregnancy. Are all of these true?
Chennai-based obstetrician and gynecologist Jayasree Sharma of 'Jayasree Women’s Specialty Clinic' explains the misconceptions surrounding pregnancy.
Myths and facts
Pregnant women should eat enough food for two people
It should not be understood that way directly. Doing so can lead to excessive weight gain. Excess weight during pregnancy can lead to additional complications. Doctors will emphasize that nutrients needed for the baby’s healthy growth and weight gain should be obtained through food.
Rather than increasing the quantity of food, it is important to eat foods rich in nutrients such as folic acid, iron, protein, and calcium.
The baby’s sex in the womb can be predicted by the shape of the abdomen
This is a false belief. When guessing whether it is a boy or a girl, their prediction may be correct 50% of the time. The shape of the mother’s belly depends on her body type and the baby’s position. The mother’s height, muscle strength, the structure of the pelvic bones, and the baby’s size and position are what determine the shape of the belly.
If you drink milk mixed with saffron, the baby will be born with a reddish complexion.
This is not true. Saffron contains many rare plant compounds. It offers pregnant women many benefits. It helps reduce anxiety and calm the mind, while also providing important nutrients such as iron. Saffron is good not only for pregnant women, but for everyone.
Pregnant women should not eat papaya; it causes miscarriage.
There is no chemical in papaya that causes miscarriage. In general, miscarriage happens because the baby is not healthy. It depends on defects in the baby’s development. Papaya contains a chemical that can cause the uterus to contract. This may cause stomach cramps, but it does not cause miscarriage. All fruits are safe.
'Morning sickness'—pregnancy nausea/vomiting—occurs only in the morning
The name comes from the fact that pregnant women usually vomit after waking up in the morning. However, nausea and aversion to certain foods or smells can last throughout the day. This is not a problem that occurs only in the morning; it can persist all day long. It is considered a sign of “normal delivery,” meaning vaginal childbirth. However, normal delivery also depends on other factors.
Pregnant women should not exercise; it is dangerous.
Pregnant women should do some exercises to stay physically healthy and flexible. They should avoid exercises that are too strenuous. Moderate exercise is good for both the mother and the baby. It helps keep the mother active. It is best to do these exercises with the help of a physiotherapist.
In general, we advise doing all kinds of exercises after the 20th week of pregnancy. Before 20 weeks, simple exercises such as walking are sufficient.
In Tamil: M. Muthumari