Debunking Pregnancy Myths

By Sarah Matheny on June 15th, 2009

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Perhaps it’s the fear of the unknown, but during pregnancy, most expectant mothers flock to the internet, pregnancy books or their girlfriends to try to link what is going on with their bodies to some possible explanation or glimmer of hope in their time of misery.  Such a quest is likely to uncover the multitude of pregnancy myths that women have been touting for years.

Here’s my take on three major myths:

• If you crave sweets, you are having a girl; if you crave savory foods, you are having a boy.

The basis of this myth is that since girls are so sweet-natured, an expectant mother who has a female bun in the oven will crave Hershey’s syrup straight from the can.  My experience didn’t support this one, unless you consider a Rueben sandwich slathered with Thousand Island dressing and ‘kraut “sweet,” and I don’t mean in the Bill and Ted sense.  I had two girls.

• If you have a lot of heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will have a ton of hair.

My mother-in-law must have had a lot of heartburn.  In fact, I think she is still battling it RIGHT NOW.  My experience with this myth:  too many Ruebens, and not a baby Sasquatch had me reaching for my Tums.  My girls were baby cue balls.

• Spicy food will induce labor.

I tried this one when I was overdue with both my girls and wound up with watery eyes, a runny nose, ten more trips to the bathroom to compensate for all the water needed to extinguish the flames, and more heartburn.  I think a greater labor instigator is to not have your bags packed, skip the shaving in the shower and to drive somewhere more than 45 minutes away from the hospital in a freshly detailed car.

Clearly these myths can be hit or miss, so before you go painting the nursery blue based on a Mexican food craving, I’d go pack a bag for the hospital, and don’t forget your razor.

(Photo By: Thorsten Mangner)