Doula: Pregnancy and Labor Myths
One of the reasons why I became a doula is to help educate people during their pregnancy so they have the best pregnancy, labor, and delivery possible. This week is actually World Doula Week! So what better way to celebrate than to shine some light on pregnancy and labor myths.
Myth: You can’t exercise while pregnant.
Truth: Exercising is actually extremely important during pregnancy. It’s safe and healthy. As long as your pregnancy has no complications you can do the same exercises as before you were pregnant. Just know that your joints are more flexible and you will be top heavy, so be careful and know your limits.
Myth: Morning sickness only happens in the morning.
Truth: Nausea during pregnancy can happen at any time of day, not just the morning, and it’s due to changes in your hormones. It’s just more common in the morning because you have an empty stomach. It normally goes away after 3 months.
Myth: Once the water breaks the baby is born.
Truth: Hollywood portrays that when your water breaks you have to rush to the hospital because the baby could be born at any second. That can happen – it happened to me – BUT that isn’t common. You’ll probably still have hours left of labor. Your water breaking can help labor move along quicker but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have your baby right away. There are other signs that need to come into play to make that call.
Myth: There is water and “stuff” EVERYWHERE when the baby is born.
Truth: A birth isn’t normally so dramatic. When the amniotic sac breaks water is already coming out so when you start pushing some if not most of the water is already out. The water is actually called amniotic fluid. It’s what the baby has been breathing and living in the past 9 months. Healthy amniotic fluid should be clean and clear just like water. There shouldn’t be other “stuff” coming out, besides the baby of course!
Myth: Once you have a cesarean birth you can’t have a vaginal birth (VBAC).
Truth: It can depend on the reasons for your cesarean, your health during your next pregnancy, and who your provider is. A big reason why people think this is true is based out of fear, but recently ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) said that VBAC is safer than a repeat cesarean, and VBAC with more than one previous cesarean does not pose any increased risk.
These myths can be a little intimidating. Maybe because of these you’re scared to get pregnant. I believe knowledge is power! The more you learn the more you feel empowered! I hope I helped shed some light on some myths that you probably thought were true.