Women hear all sorts of "facts" about childbirth but not everything you hear is true. To help set you straight, here are 5 myths about child birth.- Your second one will be easier:
While this is sometimes true, it’s not always the case. Women who have a big gap between pregnancies might not have an easier delivery the second time round.
- Spicy food can induce labour
Not true. There have been studies done into this and there is no evidence to show that eating spicy food can cause you to go into labour.
- Your water will break when you go into labour
This isn’t always the case. You can go into labour without your water breaking. Sometimes the membranes that contain the waters stay intact right through labour. And sometimes your water can break before you have gone into labour. If your water breaks – regardless whether you think you’re in labour or not – go to your doctor.
- Go to the hospital if you are having contractions
Labour takes hours and sometimes days so there is no need to go to the hospital until your contractions are strong. Many mums choose to stay at home for the early stages of labour as its more comfortable and they feel less anxious compared to sitting in a hospital. Your doctor/midwife will give you guidelines on when you should come in.
- There is nothing you can do to make your labour easier
Having the right mindset and being prepared can make labour much easier. Pre-natal yoga, ante-natal classes, breathing exercises and mental preparation can all be of great benefit. Read articles, check out books and talk to your doctor or midwife about how you can prepare your body for labour.
