Skip to:

Uncovering The Most Common Myths About Giving Birth


If you are a pregnant woman, you will probably get to hear a lot of stories about labor and birth. While some of them may be useful for you, it’s important to understand that your pregnancy experience will be completely unique for you. Thus, always discuss anything you aren’t sure about with your doctor. This article sheds light on some of the most common myths about giving birth. Take help of this article and see what’s true and what’s not.


Myths about post-term pregnancy:


A full-term pregnancy is when a birth occurs between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. However, if you are close to 42 weeks and have not given birth yet, your doctor will discuss induction of your labor with you.


Many women try alternative methods in order to avoid medical induction. Although there are numerous suggestions to avoid medical induction or bring on the labor naturally, there are no proven ways that guarantee to work. Some of those include:


  • nipple stimulation

  • drinking castor oil- this can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which could result in dehydration.  

  • walking

  • acupuncture and hypnosis

  • consuming spicy food

  • having sex


Some other common myths about giving birth


Myth: Babies stop moving before you enter into labor


This is not true. If at any time of conception you feel your baby is not moving as it should, immediately contact your doctor and let him check if everything is fine with the baby.


Myth: Once you have undergone a c-section, you can’t give birth naturally


This is not right. You can have a vaginal birth, even if you have previously gone through a cesarean section. In fact, it mainly depends on the reasons for your cesarean delivery, and your health condition during this pregnancy.


Myth: Having an epidural while giving birth increases the risk of a c-section


Certainly, there are risks and side effects linked to having an epidural to help reduce the pain of labor. Epidurals might increase the chances of a vacuum or forceps birth. However, they don’t appear to make a cesarean more likely.


Myth: Mums instantly bond with their baby


Not every time. Contact between a mother and her baby’s skin soon after the birth can help create a bond, but not every woman instantly feel that bond with her baby.


Myth: Childbirth is like what you see on a television


Childbirth on TV and in movies is often dramatic, showing that giving birth is risky and painful. Although in some cases, giving birth can be painful, but it can also be normal if you’re properly being taken care of by the doctors. In addition to this, it’s important to gather some accurate information about labor and birth. You can get proper information regarding this by speaking to a maternal child health nurse or your doctor.


Myth: You should give birth lying on your back


This is false. Lying on your back can be helpful to be upright when giving birth. However, you can choose any position you feel most relaxed with while giving birth.


Myth: You will get to know when you are in labor


If you are pregnant for the first time, it might get difficult for you to know when you’re in labor. For most healthy pregnant women, there is no need to rush to the hospital when labor starts. Though, you can call your doctor and ask for advice if you think you are in labor.


Myth: You should only go to the hospital to give birth


This is untrue. There are other options as well that you can choose from. Birth centers and planned home birth in the presence of registered midwives are good options if you are a healthy, full-term pregnant women. While hospitals are the best options for women and babies having certain medical complications or for those who are at a higher risk of facing problems during the birth.


Myth: Small babies and good hips make for an easier delivery


You might have heard of the expression ‘good childbearing hips’ or that a small baby means an easy delivery. In fact, the size of your baby or your hips won’t tell you much about how hard or easy your birth is likely to happen.


A woman’s pelvis isn’t considered as a strong bone. It is formed of ligaments and various bones designed to move and loosen up as she goes through her labor. A baby’s skull bones are also not fused together yet, which allows the baby to fit into and move through the birth canal.


It’s also not true that the size of a baby will make birth less or more painful. Often, the position you choose during your labor makes a big difference. Many women feel that squatting or being on all fours makes it more comfortable. The position of a baby as it moves through the birth canal can also affect the labor progress.