Myths associated with pregnancy can be perilous if taken seriously. It is essential that every individual has all the facts in hand so that responsible decisions are being made at all times. As silly as some of these myths may sound to our ‘educated’ minds, it turns out that there are a large number of people who still base their decisions on these beliefs. If you want to ensure that you’re not one of them, read on.
1. You Can’t Get Pregnant When You’re On Your Period
Yes, the chances of getting pregnant while on your period is a lot less for most women but this does not mean that it can’t happen. Many women have irregular menstrual cycles and this makes it hard to identify when exactly she’s ovulating. Apart from this, the sperm can live inside the body for up to a period of seven days just waiting around for the egg to be ready.
2. You Won’t Get Pregnant If You Wash Up After Sex
Don’t waste your time washing your privates with the hope that it will prevent a potential pregnancy. Sperm are brilliant swimmers and no amount of washing of external and internal genitals is going to help stop them. If you’ve had unprotected sex and want to avoid a pregnancy, it is recommended that you take an emergency contraceptive pill.
3. Certain Sex Positions Increase Chances Of Pregnancy
The idea that certain sex positions increase the probability of pregnancy is a completely bogus idea. It may have been passed down in ancient times when people were failing to get pregnant and had to come up solutions. But the fact is, regardless of position, as long as the sperm meets the egg fertilization is likely to occur. Several people also believe that some sex positions may increase chances of birthing either a boy or a girl. Needless to say, science has proven otherwise and it just doesn’t work that way.
4. You Can’t Get Pregnant If You’re Still Breastfeeding
The method of using breastfeeding as a contraceptive is called Lactational Amenorrhea Method of birth control. Yes, it is possible to avoid a pregnancy while you’re breastfeeding provided all the conditions are met. These conditions include your baby being less than six months, your periods haven’t returned, and you’re only feeding your baby breast milk with a minimal exception of other food. But many people falsely assume that it’s not possible to get pregnant as long as a mother breastfeeds her baby regardless of frequency or menstruation.
5. Morning-After Pills Have To Be Taken The Morning After Unprotected Sex
As the name suggests, people believe that the emergency contraceptive pill also called the morning after pill only works if it’s taken within 24 hours of having unprotected sex. But in reality, the pill can be ingested within 72 hours after sex. It is essential to keep in mind that taking the pill sooner does have a higher chance of stopping the pregnancy from occurring.
6. Extended Use Of Contraceptive Pills Causes Infertility
A popular myth is that the use of contraceptive pills for extended periods of time will cause infertility or hindrance in getting pregnant in the future. But there have been no studies that have found evidence to these claims. In most cases, once a woman is off the pill, she will return to her regular menstrual cycle after a short period of time.
7. You Can’t Get Pregnant The First Time You Have Sex
This myth has been the cause for a lot of unplanned pregnancies in young women having sex for the first time. It is essential to be informed that even if it’s the first time, it is very possible for contact between the sperm and egg to occur.
8. You Can’t Get Pregnant If You’re Over 35
If you’ve crossed the age of thirty-five and are worried that you can no longer have children, don’t be. Although it is true that a woman’s levels of fertility declines as she ages, there are many women who naturally conceive even in their early forties.
