MYTHS About PREGNANCY

 

6 labour myths DEBUNKED

Here we look at some popular misconceptions

about labour and birth and give you the facts.

Myth 1. When you are due, home remedies such

as drinking castor oil, eating curry or pineapple

will help to get labour started.

The thought behind this is that these will stimulate

the digestive system, and in turn the uterus, but

there is no evidence that any of these will work.

You are much more likely to end up with diarrhoea

or heartburn.

Myth 2. Having a ' show' means you are in labour.

A ‘ show ' is when the blood-tinged plug of mucus

that has been protecting your uterus from

infection during your pregnancy is discharged from

the vagina. It can appear as a single blob or in

several bits.

Although a show is a sign that the cervix is

softening, it doesn't mean that labour has begun.

Labour may not start for a few days, and in some

cases, a few weeks after a show.

Myth 3. Your waters breaking will be dramatic

Having your waters break unexpectedly in the

middle of the supermarket or at work is a very

common worry, compounded by TV shows and

films where labour is often depicted as starting

with a theatrical, public whoosh of amniotic fluid.

In reality this is pretty unlikely to happen.

When the amniotic sac, the bag of fluid your baby

has been growing in, ruptures the amniotic fluid

drains out through the vagina. This is more likely

to be a slow or constant trickle, certainly at first –

a big dramatic gush is a lot less common.

Your waters may break before any contractions

start, but it's more usual for it to happen when

you are in labour, so you are unlikely to be in a

supermarket or at work!

Once your waters have broken there is a risk of

infection, so if your contractions haven't started

naturally after 24-48 hours induction of labour may

be offered.

Myth 4. A second labour is a lot less painful.

The cervix, pelvic floor muscles and birth canal

have already been stretched by the first birth so

it's true that second and subsequent labours tend

to be shorter. But this doesn't make them any less

painful – they just don't last as long.

Myth 5. Your birth plan should always be followed.

Even though you have spent hours planning how

you want you labour and birth to be managed, your

birth plan should be viewed as a birth strategy

rather than as a plan that everyone has to stick

rigidly to.

Things can change when you go into labour and

you may want or need to change your plans. Not

having the birth that your planned doesn't mean

you have failed in any way – it's what best for you

and your baby that matters

Myth 6. You must have a C-section if you are

having twins

Although more than half of all twins in the UK are

born by Caesarean, it is perfectly possible to have

a vaginal birth if there are no complications. If the

first twin is in a head down position a vaginal birth

should be possible.