Pregnancy Old Wives’ Tales – Fact Or Fiction?

90% of pregnancies show signs and symptoms within the first eight weeks. Most of these are extremely common and can include fatigue, nausea, and an increased need for urination. There are some signs and symptoms, however, that are considered to be old wives’ tales. There are also the more far-fetched tales that have passed through the generations. They include everything from gender predictions to the indications of twins. Which old wives’ tales are based in fact though, and what is complete fiction?

You don’t smell the same

“My vagina smells different, I must be pregnant!” This old wives’ tale is sort of based on fact. During early pregnancy, you might notice a change in vaginal odor. This is a normal part of pregnancy. One of the reasons is that all your senses are heightened during this time. You will probably notice that food smells and tastes different too, and you may even go off your favorite foods. Your heightened sense of smell may be why your own body suddenly smells different to you. However, if you notice any unusual discharge or anything that you are concerned about, then you should visit your doctor.

Pregnancy test myths

Pee on a dandelion leaf, and then leave it for a few hours. If when you return, the leaves have small red blisters, then you are pregnant. This is an old wives’ tale with absolutely no basis in fact. Another theoretical way to test if you are pregnant is to place an onion in your vagina and leave it overnight. If you wake up the next morning to find that your breath smells of onions, then you are pregnant. Scientifically, this concept is ludicrous. It is certainly not recommended that you insert onions anywhere personal. One old wives’ tale that does have a basis in fact, however, is that you can use frogs to test if you are pregnant. Until the 1950s, frogs were injected with a woman’s urine. If the frog laid eggs, then this indicated that the woman was pregnant.

All about the bump

How you are carrying your baby is always a point of discussion when you are pregnant. The first old wives’ tale to beware of is that the size of your bump indicates the health of your baby. It is a complete myth that the bigger the bump, the better. Every woman’s body is different, and the size of your bump does not indicate the wellbeing of your baby. Neither does the position of your bump indicate whether you are having a boy or a girl. It may, however, indicate that you are having more than one baby. The position of your bump may also change the further along you are in your pregnancy.

Beware of pregnancy old wives’ tales that do not have a basis in fact. If you do have any questions about your pregnancy, a medical professional should be the first person you speak to.

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