4 PREGNANCY MYTHS

We are all learning a whole new life lesson as we become mothers. And that’s a good thing!

However, along with our new maternal insights is – let’s face it - a tonne of information we were never taught. To add to this confusion are the myriad of myths and fables surrounding pregnancy and parenthood. Many of these myths are based on old wives tales and can be damaging to mum-to-be’s positive perception of her pregnancy, labour and birth plans. It’s time to take back our power, sweep away the myths and have a real look at what really goes on in the nine months leading up to when we meet our babies...

Myth

Karli Büchling, Pregnancy Safe Sleep Advocate

Founder of Natal Comfort and inventor of the Anna Pregnancy Pillow.

The clever marketing phrase, “left is best” was derived from a medical observation made on the male physiology. No actual scientific research has gone into it. But men don’t have uterus compatible bodies! A study in 2017 involved 1,000 women showed that there is no significant difference between sleeping on your left, right or stomach throughout your pregnancy.

For achy sides, ensure your hips, knees and ankles are all in a straight line when you lie on your side.

The spine twists and that adds pressure on your pelvis otherwise. The best option is a massive square pillow that you can lodge from your tights to your ankles, the IKEA 90x90cm pillow is perfect for this. Then, popping a soft toy under your bump as to bring it in line with your spine will ensure no rotation occurs as this could also be the reason for those achy hips & sides. Pushing your bump too far into the opposite direction can have the same affect.

Turn on your bump if you need an alternative position. Sleeping on your stomach is safe for you and your baby. Even beneficial, improving placenta performance and creating more space for baby to wiggle into the optimal foetal position. We love the Anna pregnancy pillow if you find it is too uncomfortable and want to continue sleeping on your stomach. For back sleepers, avoid going to sleep on your back. But if this is the most comfortable for you, then all you need to do is ensure you are not lying flat on your back, and at an incline of 25 degrees at least as to avoid placing pressure on important arteries.

Myth

“EXERCISE CAN CAUSE DIASTASIS RECTI”

Aimee Victoria Long, Pre-and Post-Natal Exercise Specialist.

London based Celebrity Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor & Barre Specialist, and due her first baby March ’23

Diastasis Recti occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles (six-pack ab muscles) separate during pregnancy from being stretched. The separation can make a persons belly stick out or bulge months or years postpartum. 60% of women and birthing people are affected by diastasis recti.

There is a common myth that exercise during pregnancy can cause diastasis recti. But here is what happens: there is a build-up in pressure in your core, which can create a separation. A certain amount of diastasis recti is natural during pregnancy, and essential to allow baby room to grow.

However, it is important to avoid activities and behaviours that could further elevate IAP, beyond that caused by the growing belly, as this could make diastasis recti become problematic. The same goes when you enter the postnatal period. In this case, we need to work on bringing that separation back together and not perform exercises that make the separation worse.

We are all unique and if you get diastasis recti, it isn’t your fault, you’ve not done something wrong.

This is the way your body responds to pregnancy.

MythJUST BREATHE THROUGH YOUR PELVIC GIRDLE PAIN

Clare Bourne, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

With nearly a decade of extensive NHS experience, she now runs her own business in London.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) is the umbrella term for any pain in the pelvis, whether that be at the front or back, and though it impacts around 1 in 5 women during pregnancy, it isn’t just part of pregnancy that we have to accept and struggle on with.

There IS help and treatment available. There are so many things that can often be labelled as ‘just part of pregnancy’, often said with a slight sigh and tilt of the head to one side in a sympathetic way, but let’s ensure that PGP does not continue to be one of those things. PGP can occur at any point in pregnancy and the cause is often different from woman to woman. What we do know is that the hormone relaxin is not all to blame, as we used to think and is still often communicated. If it was, then yes it would be correct to think there is no help as we can’t remove the hormone relaxin and it’s increased levels during pregnancy.

Seeking assessment or treatment from a trained professional, like a pelvic health physiotherapist will allow personalised advice to help you. In the meantime, try not to stay in one position for too long, variety is the spice of life. Think about what you are sitting on, and your desk set up for work, as this can have a huge impact on your back and pelvis. Movement or exercise that are little and often can make a huge difference. Sometimes moving away from longer workouts to little movement snacks throughout the day is just what your body needs. There is no one size fits all treatment approach, but not fearing movement and knowing your body is strong and stable are fundamental to recovery, alongside professional support that might include hands on treatment.

Myth “CERTAIN PRESSURE POINTS CAN TRIGGER LABOUR”

Claire Cannie, Pre-natal specialist in Advanced Massage Theraphy Dispelling the myths around pregnancy massage & encouraging women to take back their maternal power

If acupressure points were so effective in bringing on labour, wouldn’t all midwives be going around poking these points to induce women instead of the invasive methods that are currently on offer?

Acupressure points are an ancient form of Chinese medicine, they are points that lie along meridians of the body, that are pressed to promote relaxation and treat illness. During pregnancy some of these points are believed to be labour inducing. That is only the case if the body is ready and therefore the activation of these points will help to support the body into that process. During other stages of pregnancy However, these points could be used to help relieve physical / emotional stress and tension and should not be dismissed because of a myth that they could induce labour. Massage incorporating acupressure points is a safe and highly beneficial treatment that should be encouraged in the Western world as it is in Eastern traditions.

Conclusion

As a your body changes throughout your pregnancy, so does your mindset, and the likelihood of you experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety grows, too. It’s up to us to educate ourselves to ensure that we approach pregnancy with an open mind, knowing as much as we can, and falling pregnant doesn’t have to be scary. By debunking these myths and simply educating ourselves on how our own bodies work, we can start to enjoy this exciting process.

Pregnancy is a journey of transformation, untested waters, new beginnings, and an experience like no other.