Superstition is a common part of our lives, but not many people take it seriously. It’s sensible not to walk under a ladder and black cats crossing your path are lucky or unlucky depending upon which part of the country you live in. There is no real reason to believe that old wives’ tales are true, especially those associated with pregnancy. Here are a few examples.
Apparently you can predict the sex of your unborn child if you dangle your wedding ring over the bump? Why would this work – if you really want to know, then a more reliable option lies in pregnancy scans.
If a pregnant woman sees something ugly or horrible, she will have an ugly baby. This is obviously untrue. If you are worried that there might be something wrong with your baby then talk through the pros and cons of having a Down Syndrome test or ultrasound scan with experienced medical staff.
If you drink too much coffee then the baby will have liver spotted birthmarks. Again, this is a piece of nonsense as no food can affect your baby’s skin. However it is important to eat healthily during pregnancy and some foods are best avoided. Talking to your midwife, nurse or doctor during antenatal care sessions should put your mind at ease.
Posture is very important during pregnancy to minimise strain on your back and muscles; it is an indication of your body type and muscle condition. Carrying a baby low down shows the strain on your stomach muscles, and doesn’t mean you will give birth to a boy.
Why have these tales exerted such an influence for so long? It’s all in the statistics because of course they have a 50/50 chance of being right. We at Innermost Secrets do not give them credence and offer sound medical advice during antenatal care and beyond.