A look at the science (or lack thereof) behind prenatal wives' tales
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April 30, 2010
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Carrying low? It must be a boy. Do you have heartburn? Then the baby has a full head of hair. Perhaps you have heard some of this prenatal folklore, much of which has no scientific basis. But it turns out there may be a grain of truth behind a few of these so-called myths. To find out which are fact and which are fiction, take a gander at the following slide show.
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14 Comments
Add CommentIt is beautiful and glorious. We should not misuse this wonderful system which nature has so ingeniously engineered. If everything is in its proper order in the biological system, then we humans should likewise follow our intended "dao", the "plan" or "design" of our species, which is certainly the stable family structure. Isn't this the principal basis of human society?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt is beautiful and glorious. Nature has designed a wonderful and orderly system. Likewise, human beings, not just following our "natural desires", but true to our "Dao" as humans, must exercise responsibility and self-discipline. Namely, the stable family structure is the environment in which the beauty and principle of the natural order will realize its full fruition and manifestation in a constructive and loving way.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIsn't it great that we can look behind the tales we're told and find out if they're actually true or not? I love science.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIs this really an appropriate place to be discussing such ideological issues? They are certainly worth discussing, but not in a scientific article on aspects of pregnancy.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisibrahim ekinci from istanbul-turkey
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI can not understand that some pepple say that "Nature has designed a wonderful and orderly system". The nature is composed of mindless particules, atoms, molecules etc. How can, then, these mindless particules behave so organizedly to build such wonderful creatures? This is obviously nonsense. Instead of accepting that God, Allah, created all the creatures, why and how do some people imagine that mindless nature made all these things?
Because they checked.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisibrahim ekinci,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI cannot understand how people like you are even posting comments like the one you just made on a 'scientific' forum. Maybe stop being so ignorant and do a bit of research yourself into evolution.
I am currently 6 1/2 months pregnant and you wouldn't believe how great it is to find scientific articles about the stuff we're told by every man and his dog. Pergnancy is fun and amazing, so it's awesome to the science behind it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisResponding to ibrahim ekinci's comment in a negative tone does not promote Science in a positive way, Hezakiah. Instead of scolding someone for having this opinion, it's more rewarding to properly explain why these things happen, or to point him or her in the right way to seek further knowledge.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Lifting something cannot not cause the placenta to shear from the wall [. . .]"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUm. . . erm. . . typo?
-D
Why so emotional Hezakiah? This is science - facts...the first atom was designed? Or not? What you choose to put your faith in is your decision- evolution provides less facts for its theory but go ahead and beleive what they tell you - be close minded.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy so emotional Hezakiah? Facts only right? Either the first atom was designed or not. It designed itself? Evolution is your faith and thats fine - beleive what they tell you and be closed minded to everyone else. (its amazing that you have that choice & that we can even think about where we came from - but you beleive in chance - interesting...)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisregarding sex during pregnancy
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGood stuff.These myths need to get busted!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisKeep up the good work author.
LisaPM
http://pregnancy-miracle.org