There exist seventh misconceptions regarding pregnancy and conceiving a baby. Soe of them are facts but a lot of them are complete myths and fiction.
You have probably heard some myths about certain sexual positions or some unfounded ways about conceiving twins or conceiving a baby girl or the various things that you need to do before getting Pregnant so that you can conceive a baby boy.
What are some of the most common baby making myths?
- Sexual position affect your chances of conception
- The shape of a woman’s baby bump can predict if she will have a baby boy or a baby girl
- Food cravings imply you will have a baby boy
- A woman’s age determines the probability of conceiving twins
- Myths regarding your partner’s sperm count
- Specific time will result in a specific gender of your baby
- Frequency of your sex reducing your chances of getting pregnant
Truth About Baby-Making Myths
You have also even heard about Perfect Parenting Myths so that your kid turns out to be a genius, but it is equally significant to understand all the important facts that surround them.
Myth 1: You will get pregnant faster if you have sex in missionary position
This one is a complete myth and is thus false. Certain sexual positions allow sperm to get closer to the cervix and the uterus but every position will be equally effective and equally probable in leading to pregnancy. The position of your vaginal intercourse is irrelevant to your chances of getting pregnant as long as you have a normal vaginal for uterine anatomy.
Myth 2: If a woman’s baby bump is high then she will have a baby girl and if the baby bump is low then she will have a baby boy
Research shows that there is no basis for this assumption and is false. The shape of the baby bump is determined by the expectant mother’s abdominal structure, muscle size, and the position of a uterus. It is also determined by her posture and amount of fat in her abdomen. The shape of your baby bump has no correlation to the gender of your baby.
Myth 3: If you are above 35 years old, you will have a greater chance of conceiving twins.
This one is statistically true. It has been recorded that older mothers tend to have a higher number of multiple births and such a statistical number is not only aided by the assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF or fertility-enhancing medications.
Myth 4: Bike riding effects a man’s sperm count.
Unless your husband or partner is an Olympic level cyclist, this assumption is unfounded and is false. Riding a bike on a daily basis casually for going to work or for running errands will not affect the testicular or groin area to such an extent that your partner’s sperm count reduces. Therefore casual bike riding will have no effect on his fertility.
Myth 5: Briefs or Boxers will affect your partner’s sperm count.
This one is also false. There is hardly any science-backing fact for this particular myth. Only pelvic trauma can adversely affect sperm count.
Myth 6: If your man eats non-organic bananas every day he will become more sterile
This one is also false. There are some reports which claim that the chemical found in bananas can have a negative effect on a man’s sperm. However, there is no clinical proof showing that men who ate bananas were affected.
Myth 7: Cooling your partner’s reproductive organs with an ice pack will increase the fertility
This one will also probably not work and is false. Sperm counts have shown to rise in cooler temperatures. That is why men are often advised to wear breezy underwear and they are also advised to avoid hot baths for long hours, saunas, and hot tubs.
But it also takes at least more than 2 months for such cooler temperatures to positively affect a person’s sperm count. Therefore using such an ice pack before sex on his reproductive organs will probably not help you get pregnant.
Myth 8: Having sex in the early fertile period results in a baby boy or else you will have the baby girl.
There is no scientific research providing any concrete evidence for such a statement. It is false that having intercourse at a certain time of the month will affect your baby’s gender. Your ovulation cycle or your menstrual timing will not have any effect on your baby’s gender and therefore you will not have a higher chance of conceiving either a boy or a girl depending on the time of your intercourse.
Myth 9: If you have sex too many times, it can be difficult to become a mommy.
The saying that men need to store their sperm is simply a myth. The actual sperm count may decrease if your partner is having intercourse multiple times each day but what matters is the sperm count that is present during your ovulation.
The sperm can live inside your body for almost five days. The fact is that the chances of your pregnancy will increase if you have more sex while you are ovulating.
Myth 10: If you are experiencing heartburn as a pregnancy symptom then you will have a baby with lots of hair.
Heartburn is one symptom that all pregnant women endure. Heartburn does not correlate with the amount of hair your newborn will have.
Myth 11: Right after sex, a woman must raise her legs immediately to increase the chances of the egg getting fertilized.
This statement is false. Sperms are extremely motile and are automatically going to be drawn towards the female egg. Even though a lot of women assume that propping of the legs or hips on a pillow or raising their legs in the air immediately after the having sex resulted in them becoming pregnant, the fact is that they only had sex at the right time of the menstrual cycle which resulted in them getting pregnant.
Myth 12: If your first child is a baby boy then your next one has more probability of being a girl.
This is also false. Your baby’s gender and birth order are not at all related. You will always in each pregnancy have a 50% chance of conceiving a male or a female.
Here are Some Important Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that I cannot exercise to get pregnant?
You don’t have to stop exercising to ensure conception. It is rather advised to be in a proper physical form for a healthy pregnancy. Doctors also advise moderate exercise or long walks during pregnancy.
Do I have to eat for two to ensure pregnancy?
This is a complete myth. Either before or during your pregnancy, no women have to “eat for two”. Pregnant women are generally advised to eat an additional 300 calories each day and if you are trying to get pregnant then you should maintain a correct Body Mass Index (BMI) to ensure pregnancy.
Is it true that I can’t touch my cat if I try to conceive?
You don’t have to stop cuddling with your cat to become pregnant. Only after getting pregnant, doctors advise pregnant women to not change the cat’s litter box as it can spread various infections.
Is it true that I’ll have to completely give up caffeine if I am trying to get pregnant?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to getting pregnant faster but you don’t have to completely give your cups of coffee. One cup of any caffeinated beverage is allowed if you are trying to conceive.
If my mother experienced an easy pregnancy and baby delivery, will mine be easier too?
Such a statement is a myth. Hereditary factors play no role in determining the difficulty level of your pregnancy. Your lifestyle and physical conditions will determine the circumstances of your pregnancy.
Is it true that Birth Control Pills will affect my chances of getting pregnant?
Birth Control Pills have no negative effect on female fertility. Prolonged use of such pills may lead to delay in resuming your normal menstrual cycle and thus will delay your ovulation period. Doctors generally advise coming off pills right when you decide to start trying. Such may delay your pregnancy but will never have any long-run effect on fertility.
Is it true that my chances of having a miscarriage will decrease if I am further along in my pregnancy?
This is a fact. The risk of a miscarriage considerably reduces from the second trimester.
Takeaway
A lot of advice or statements about the baby-making process or your chances of getting pregnant are scientifically just myths and have no scientific basis. If you are worried about your chances of conceiving you should consult your doctor and ask for some advice. However, not all the things that you hear are always myths and some of them are true.
It is true that your chances of miscarriage will decline in the later trimesters of your pregnancy but it is most definitely false that you will have a lower chance of getting pregnant if you have frequent sex.
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Mother of Two children. I’m a former teacher with a background in child development and a passion for Good parenting. I understand child development and know how to develop activities to help children learn and grow. Spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and volunteering in my community.