Myth or real

The Facts about Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting

• Morning sickness only happens in the morning. FALSE. The name ‘morning sickness” is a misnomer. Although you may feel worse in the morning, you may feel sick and vomit at any time of the day.
• Vomiting during pregnancy will harm your baby. FALSE. Vomiting in pregnancy is rarely a risk to your health or your unborn baby's health. It's common in early pregnancy. Excessive vomiting so you can’t even keep fluids down (called "hyperemesis gravidarum") can result in you becoming dehydrated and so needing admission to hospital. Even then your baby will not suffer.
• You're less likely to have a miscarriage if have excessive nausea. TRUE. This thought due to nausea correlating with pregnancy hormone (βHCG) levels. While the actions of βHCG are not known it is used as a maker of early pregnancy well being.
• Nausea will stop at about 12 weeks of pregnancy. TRUE and FALSE. About half of all pregnant women do suddenly feel better at the end of the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy. But for some nausea and vomiting can continue for bit longer and for a few remains throughout the pregnancy.
• You will have more nausea if you're expecting twins. TRUE often. Twins are associated with higher βHCG levels

Sex determination

• Drano test. Drano mixed with urine will tell you if you're having a girl or a boy by the urine colour change. FALSE Not only is there is no consensus on what colour equals which sex, but also there is no scientific basis for the test.
• Baby's heart rate. Girl babies have faster heart rates throughout the pregnancy. FALSE
• Your shape. Extra size out front means you are having a girl, while extra size around the hips and bottom means a boy. FALSE. There are many factors that determine a woman’s shape in pregnancy but her baby’s sex is not one of them.
• Your shape. Carrying low means a boy; carrying high means a girl. FALSE.
• Dark nipples indicate a boy. FALSE. This colour change has nothing to do with the sex of the child
• Nausea during pregnancy probably means a girl. FALSE
• Craving chocolate means you are having a girl, while craving straight lemon juice means a boy. FALSE
• Pregnancy symptoms are different this pregnancy compared to my previous pregnancy. That means the sex of my baby is different. FALSE
• Weight gain of your husband / partner in your pregnancy means you are having a girl. If he doesn't put on extra weight, then you're carrying a boy. FALSE
• Looking round and full in the face means you are having a girl. FALSE
• Breast size. If the right one is larger, you're having a boy while a larger left breast indicates a girl. FALSE. All women have one breast larger that the other. This has nothing to do with your baby’s sex,
• Swinging pendant or ring. If the necklace swings back and forth, you are having a boy. If it is more of a circular motion, then it's a girl. This can also be done by suspending a ring on a string above your belly. FALSE
• Acne. Getting acne during your pregnancy indicates you're carrying a girl. FALSE
• Picking up a key. If you've picked it up by the thinner end, you're having a girl and by the bottom, rounder part means a boy. FALSE
• Scissors and knife. If scissors are put under one cushion and a knife under another cushion and a pregnant women without foreknowledge sits on the cushion with the knife under it then she is expecting a boy and on the cushion with the scissors under it then she is expecting a girl. FALSE
• Mum knows. Ask yourself what you think you're having. This may be TRUE. In one study pregnant women who did not know were asked what they though was their baby's sex. 71% guessed the sex of their baby correctly