Help for Pregnant Students

Myths and Facts

What you'll find here: a discussion of common myths about birth control and pregnancy, and accurate information about them.

Sections: [ Contraception | During Pregnancy | After Pregnancy ]

Contraception

Myth: If you use any method contraception, you will not conceive later on, when you actually want to.

FACT: No method of contraception except permanent surgical sterilization (tubal ligation or vasectomy) will make you infertile. Many people have been known to conceive immediately after discontinuing birth control. However, Norplant, a subcutaneous implant, used for birth control is contraindicated for couples desiring to become pregnant one to two years after the implants are removed. In addition, it may take one to two months to become pregnant when discontinuing an oral contraceptive.

Myth: Douching before or after sex will prevent pregnancy.

FACT: Douching does not "wash out" or kill sperm, however it may alter the acidity of your vagina, hindering the life span of the sperm.

Myth: If you have unprotected sex immediately after your partner has a vasectomy you will not get pregnant.

FACT: It may take up to fifteen ejaculations after the vasectomy before the seminal fluid no longer contains sperm.

Myth: Using two condoms is better than using one.

FACT: Unlike the old "two heads are better than one" saying, using two condoms is actually LESS SAFE than using one. Using more than one condom increases friction, increasing the chance that the condom will break. Condoms usually break due to human error or dryness. You should read the directions for proper application and/or use a water-based lubricant.

Myth: Since you don't have an Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) you should not use condoms.

FACT: You should always protect yourself by using a condom. Even if you are sure about yourself, your partner may or may not realize whether they currently have an STD. Most STDs have no physical signs in the early phase (incubation phase), however you can still catch the disease from them. Also, your partner may know they have an STD but be unwilling to tell you.

Myth: Masturbation makes a man's semen "dry up".

FACT: Not true. Masturbation will not make a man's semen "dry up" or reduce his sperm count. Starting in early puberty, the man's testicles start constantly producing sperm. Even the most active masturbator won't exhaust his supply.

Myth: Women who are virgins can NEVER get pregnant.

FACT: Yes, they can. If a man releases his semen near the vagina, there's a small but very real chance that sperm can make its way to the egg and fertilize it. Also, the man does no have to fully ejaculate; it only takes a few drops. The fluids that a man releases from his penis as he begins to get sexually excited can contain active sperm.

Myth: If a woman has sex right before her period, she can't get pregnant.

FACT: A woman can become pregnant at any time in her menstrual cycle. Her peak time to become pregnant is during ovulation, but it is hard to figure out exactly when that occurs. Also, sperm can live in the vagina for a few days. There is no "safe" period.
_____________________________________________________________________________

During Pregnancy

Myth: If you start your period at an early age, you have greater chances of miscarriage.

FACT: How early you start your period has no effect on your pregnancy. 15-20% of normal pregnancies may end up in spontaneous miscarriage for no explainable reason.

Myth: If you sit down cross-legged, your baby will get entangled in the umbilical cord.

FACT: Your posture and movements do not affect the baby's movement inside the uterus and you cannot cause the umbilical cord to get tangled.

Myth: The shape and height of your belly can indicate the baby's sex.

FACT: The myth that "boys carry low and girls carry high" isn't true, but no matter what you believe, you'll always be right 50% of the time! The shape and height of your belly are determined by your muscle tone, uterine tone, and baby's position. The most recommended way to tell the baby's sex is through the use of ultrasound examination at about 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Myth: You can't have sex during pregnancy.

FACT: This is not true for most women. For many women, the desire to have sex, and intensity of orgasm, increase during pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, you may need to adjust your position in order to be comfortable. Having sex does not hurt the baby. After sex, you may notice a faint amount of vaginal bleeding; however if it does not stop, you are bleeding heavily, or have cramping, call your health care provider right away.

Myth: Since you are pregnant you have to eat for two.

FACT: While you may notice an increase in appetite, your diet needs to only increase by 200 to 300 calories per day. You goal for healthy weight gain is 25-30 pounds by the end of pregnancy. In most cases, an additional glass of milk or a serving of fruits and vegetables is all that is required. Talk to your health care provider about specific recommendations.

Myth: Miscarriages are caused by _________________.

FACT: This is a "fill-in-the-blank" myth. Old wives tales are numerous – "something you've eaten or done", "something wrong with the baby". The fact is that sometimes in the first three months, miscarriages are common. About 15-20% of normal pregnancies end all by themselves for no explainable reason during the first three months. If you notice bleeding or cramping during the first three months of pregnancy, tell you health care provider right away. If you have an unexpected miscarriage, you may need time to grieve the loss of this baby.

Myth: If you experience heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will be born with lots of hair.

FACT: Heartburn throughout pregnancy is extremely common because of muscle relaxation, so heartburn isn't an accurate predictor of whether your baby will have lots of hair.

After Pregnancy

Myth: The baby will always cry when he/she is hungry.

FACT: The baby should eat every 1 ½ to 3 hours. Do not go longer than four hours without feeding your baby. Even if the baby is sleeping you or someone should awaken the baby for feedings. Your baby's crying may also mean that he or she is cold, tired, frustrated, lonely, hurting from gas on his or her stomach, or wet. Crying as the baby falls asleep is a normal way for the baby to release tension and relax enough to go to sleep.

Myth: You can prop the baby's bottle on a pillow or another device if you are unable to hold it.

FACT: Propping a bottle is dangerous as it can cause choking, increase the chances of an ear infection, and potentially result in dental problems. Your baby needs warmth and contact during feeding.

Myth: It is best to put the baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice.

FACT: Putting the baby to bed with a bottle of milk or sugar-containing fruit juice can cause the primary teeth to rot even if they are still up inside the baby's gums. If you must give the baby a bottle in bed, fill the bottle with water.



		Myths and Facts What you'll find here: a discussion of common myths about birth control and pregnancy, and accurate information about them. Sections: [ Contraception \| During Pregnancy \| After Pregnancy ] Contraception Myth: If you use any method contraception, you will not conceive later on, when you actually want to. FACT: No method of contraception except permanent surgical sterilization (tubal ligation or vasectomy) will make you infertile. Many people have been known to conceive immediately after discontinuing birth control. However, Norplant, a subcutaneous implant, used for birth control is contraindicated for couples desiring to become pregnant one to two years after the implants are removed. In addition, it may take one to two months to become pregnant when discontinuing an oral contraceptive. Myth: Douching before or after sex will prevent pregnancy. FACT: Douching does not "wash out" or kill sperm, however it may alter the acidity of your vagina, hindering the life span of the sperm. Myth: If you have unprotected sex immediately after your partner has a vasectomy you will not get pregnant. FACT: It may take up to fifteen ejaculations after the vasectomy before the seminal fluid no longer contains sperm. Myth: Using two condoms is better than using one. FACT: Unlike the old "two heads are better than one" saying, using two condoms is actually LESS SAFE than using one. Using more than one condom increases friction, increasing the chance that the condom will break. Condoms usually break due to human error or dryness. You should read the directions for proper application and/or use a water-based lubricant. Myth: Since you don't have an Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) you should not use condoms. FACT: You should always protect yourself by using a condom. Even if you are sure about yourself, your partner may or may not realize whether they currently have an STD. Most STDs have no physical signs in the early phase (incubation phase), however you can still catch the disease from them. Also, your partner may know they have an STD but be unwilling to tell you. Myth: Masturbation makes a man's semen "dry up". FACT: Not true. Masturbation will not make a man's semen "dry up" or reduce his sperm count. Starting in early puberty, the man's testicles start constantly producing sperm. Even the most active masturbator won't exhaust his supply. Myth: Women who are virgins can NEVER get pregnant. FACT: Yes, they can. If a man releases his semen near the vagina, there's a small but very real chance that sperm can make its way to the egg and fertilize it. Also, the man does no have to fully ejaculate; it only takes a few drops. The fluids that a man releases from his penis as he begins to get sexually excited can contain active sperm. Myth: If a woman has sex right before her period, she can't get pregnant. FACT: A woman can become pregnant at any time in her menstrual cycle. Her peak time to become pregnant is during ovulation, but it is hard to figure out exactly when that occurs. Also, sperm can live in the vagina for a few days. There is no "safe" period. _____________________________________________________________________________ During Pregnancy Myth: If you start your period at an early age, you have greater chances of miscarriage. FACT: How early you start your period has no effect on your pregnancy. 15-20% of normal pregnancies may end up in spontaneous miscarriage for no explainable reason. Myth: If you sit down cross-legged, your baby will get entangled in the umbilical cord. FACT: Your posture and movements do not affect the baby's movement inside the uterus and you cannot cause the umbilical cord to get tangled. Myth: The shape and height of your belly can indicate the baby's sex. FACT: The myth that "boys carry low and girls carry high" isn't true, but no matter what you believe, you'll always be right 50% of the time! The shape and height of your belly are determined by your muscle tone, uterine tone, and baby's position. The most recommended way to tell the baby's sex is through the use of ultrasound examination at about 20 weeks of pregnancy. Myth: You can't have sex during pregnancy. FACT: This is not true for most women. For many women, the desire to have sex, and intensity of orgasm, increase during pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, you may need to adjust your position in order to be comfortable. Having sex does not hurt the baby. After sex, you may notice a faint amount of vaginal bleeding; however if it does not stop, you are bleeding heavily, or have cramping, call your health care provider right away. Myth: Since you are pregnant you have to eat for two. FACT: While you may notice an increase in appetite, your diet needs to only increase by 200 to 300 calories per day. You goal for healthy weight gain is 25-30 pounds by the end of pregnancy. In most cases, an additional glass of milk or a serving of fruits and vegetables is all that is required. Talk to your health care provider about specific recommendations. Myth: Miscarriages are caused by _________________. FACT: This is a "fill-in-the-blank" myth. Old wives tales are numerous – "something you've eaten or done", "something wrong with the baby". The fact is that sometimes in the first three months, miscarriages are common. About 15-20% of normal pregnancies end all by themselves for no explainable reason during the first three months. If you notice bleeding or cramping during the first three months of pregnancy, tell you health care provider right away. If you have an unexpected miscarriage, you may need time to grieve the loss of this baby. Myth: If you experience heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will be born with lots of hair. FACT: Heartburn throughout pregnancy is extremely common because of muscle relaxation, so heartburn isn't an accurate predictor of whether your baby will have lots of hair. After Pregnancy Myth: The baby will always cry when he/she is hungry. FACT: The baby should eat every 1 ½ to 3 hours. Do not go longer than four hours without feeding your baby. Even if the baby is sleeping you or someone should awaken the baby for feedings. Your baby's crying may also mean that he or she is cold, tired, frustrated, lonely, hurting from gas on his or her stomach, or wet. Crying as the baby falls asleep is a normal way for the baby to release tension and relax enough to go to sleep. Myth: You can prop the baby's bottle on a pillow or another device if you are unable to hold it. FACT: Propping a bottle is dangerous as it can cause choking, increase the chances of an ear infection, and potentially result in dental problems. Your baby needs warmth and contact during feeding. Myth: It is best to put the baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. FACT: Putting the baby to bed with a bottle of milk or sugar-containing fruit juice can cause the primary teeth to rot even if they are still up inside the baby's gums. If you must give the baby a bottle in bed, fill the bottle with water.
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