When my mom was pregnant with her fourth and last child, everyone told her she would be having a girl. Based on her cravings, the shape of her belly, and a ton of other signs, some people just knew she was pregnant with a girl.
But my mom knew she was having a boy.
It came as no surprise to my mother when she found out that she was, in fact, having a son. She couldn't explain how she knew; it was just a mother's instinct.
Everyone grows up believing a host of pregnancy "rules" and "standards". While some beliefs are valid, others are completely false. Here are six pregnancy myths that everyone believes:
1. A pregnant mommy should eat for two
While it is true that pregnancy can often strike up cravings, you shouldn't be eating that much more than you would if you weren't pregnant. In fact, during your first trimester, you shouldn't be eating (or feeling the urge to eat) more than you normally do.
During your second trimester, you'll want to start eating 300-350 more calories a day. During the third trimester, you'll want about 500 extra calories a day. If you're carrying more than one baby, you'll want to include about 300 extra calories per baby, so an extra 600 for your twins.
It's perfectly normal (and expected) to gain weight during your pregnancy, but sticking to this regime will prevent you from gaining unnecessary weight.
2. You can tell the sex of the baby by the shape of the bump
Some people believe that if a pregnant woman is carrying the baby up high (closer to her ribs), it means she's having a boy. If the woman is carrying the baby low (closer to the hips), it means she's having a boy.
Every woman's body is different, so the shape of the bump depends completely on the mother's shape, size and muscle tone, not the sex of your baby.
3. Morning sickness means you're having a girl
Morning sickness is common in most pregnancies, regardless of the baby's sex. It's typically the first sign of pregnancy, and it's most common during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Morning sickness can be attributed to a wide variety ofhormonal changes a woman's body is processing through. Reduced blood sugar is another common cause of morning sickness. Other factors such as emotional stress, excessive fatigue and frequent traveling can exacerbate your morning sickness.
To help treat your morning sickness, be sure to drink lots of water, take naps and avoid fatty and spicy food.
4. If you crave sweet foods, you're having a girl. If you crave savory foods, you're having a boy
Cravings are the body's response to mineral deficiencies, not your baby's gender. There's nothing wrong with indulging yourself a little bit during your pregnancy (you're growing a little human inside you - it's OK to treat yourself!), just be sure to avoid the things that can be harmful to your baby, like raw meat and unpasteurized milk.
5. Pregnant mommies should skip the gym
Working out during your pregnancy actually has many benefits, including a quicker recovery after childbirth, fewer aches and pains during your pregnancy and fewer pounds of baby weight.
6. There's an ideal pregnancy body type
It's normal for women to feel self-conscious when their jeans stop fitting and they start seeing stretch marks across the hips and belly. Remember that every single body is different, whether you're pregnant or not. You're perfect the way you are, and your body is doing a great job creating new life.
No matter what body type you've got, you always wish it was somehow different. You baby loves you, your husband loves you, and it's time to love yourself.
How many of these myths did you believe? What are some other wives' tales that you've heard about pregnancies?
