Myth-Busting Pregnancy Edition

In honor of all parents-to-be, we bring you a few fun facts about family-building. While there is so much serious news to digest these days, we thought a break might be a welcome distraction. Myth #1: Every woman’s water breaks before her labor begins. Truth:  Only 11% of all women experience a leak or gush of amniotic fluid prior to feeling their first contraction. Myth #2:  A due date is an actual thing. Truth:  Only 5% of all women give birth on their due dates. That’s why the clinical term is actually “Estimated Due Date” (and those of us in the birth world refer to it as a “Due Month” because there is so much variability around this). Myth #3: Most pregnancies in the US are planned. Truth:  Just 50% of pregnancies in our country are reported to have been planned Myth #4: You can’t get pregnant if you exclusively breastfeed. Truth:  Um, yes you CAN. Many women have. Myth #5: Every partner freaks out at the first sign of labor, and immediately experiences a loss of all executive function. Truth:  After attending over 100 births, I can tell you that while most partners have at least SOME understandable anxiety, they don’t turn into blithering idiot sitcom characters. Myth #5: Labor and Birth Are Strictly Biological. Truth: A baby can come from lots of places (like a mother’s womb or another woman’s womb, a donated egg and or sperm). What matters in the end is that someone capable and caring opens their heart to a new little person. Want more actual...
Source: Cord Blood News - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Tags: parents pregnancy facts mythbusting Source Type: blogs