50 Surprising Pregnancy Facts & Myths Every Woman Should Know

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Conception and the embryo’s development into a full-grown baby is an extraordinary journey that every mother proudly embraces. But, while experiencing these events yourselves is blissful, reading some interesting pregnancy facts will spark some additional joy.

These facts are great to read if you are planning to conceive or pregnant. From the average pregnancy duration to how much the uterus can grow in size, these facts contain all the information a woman would love to read and explore about the expecting mothers and their unborn babies.

Read on as we share some interesting pregnancy facts with you and also debunk a few pregnancy and fertility myths in between.

Pregnancy Facts You Probably Didn’t Know Before

1. The average duration of pregnancy is 280 days. But it can be longer too.In 1945, Beulah Hunter, a 25-year-old woman from Los Angeles, gave birth to a healthy baby girl after being pregnant for 375 days(1). It was thelongest recorded pregnancy!

2. manbet安卓版, an actualorgan called placenta is developedin the uterus. It helps to provide nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.

3. After a couple of months of development, babies begin to pee in the womb. And sometimes they tend to swallow their own pee.

4. During postpartum, youruterus can shrink back down to its normal size after growing up to 500 times during pregnancy.(2).

5. During pregnancy, the fetus can send stem cells to the mother to repair any damage. It meansyour baby can heal youright from when it is in your womb(3).

6. When the fetus is about six months old, itdevelops fingerprintsand footprints. The ridges are formed in three patterns that are classified under whorls, loops, and arches. These are formed on palms, fingertips, and soles. Not many know that fingerprints help us grasp objects.

7. The world’s heaviest baby was born in 1879 to Giantess Anna Bates. He weighed 22lb (9.98kg) and measured 28in (71.12cm). Unfortunately, he died after 11 hours.

8. Theworld’s smallest baby!In December 2018, an infant born in San Diego, California, weighed just 8.6 ounces at birth. She was kept in the NICU for about five months and gained up to 5.6 pounds. She is now healthy.

9. Women tend to experience some skin changes like brown patches on the face around the cheeks, nose, and forehead, dark line from the navel to the pubic area,stretch marks, acne etc., during their pregnancy. This mainly occurs due to hormonal changes, however, it will fade away after childbirth(4).

10. Babies usually develop teeth during their first year.But did you know that one in 2000 infants are born with teeth?These are termed as natal teeth. Nonetheless, doctors might remove them as they may cause certain problems such as injury to the tongue, the infant biting the mother during breastfeeding, or the baby may be inhaling the tooth(5).

11. Foot size increases!After giving birth to your baby, you may notice your foot size to be one inch bigger. That is because of certain hormones that relax your ligaments. This change is usually more permanent when you grow old(6).

12. Your baby can hear in the womb and respond to the sounds coming from outside. By the end of the24th week, the fetus can actively listen to you. This is the right time to bond and communicate with your baby(7).

13. Pregnancy can give you asuper sense of smell!Now you know that you are not imagining things, and what you are smelling is right.

14. Although many old wives’ tales are just myths, there are a few that are valid. One such theory is thatpregnant womensuffering from severeheartburn could give birth to babies with hair(9).

15. A new mother could experience forgetfulness quite often. This is called‘mommy brain,’which is common among most women. So yes, you are not the only one forgetting things during pregnancy.

16. Cravingfood during pregnancyis normal. But some women alsodevelop cravings for non-food itemssuch as paper or hair, and this weird but real condition is called Pica!

17. Nursing mothers start leaking milk from their breast when they hear babies cry. It is said thatoxytocinⁱXHormone released by the hypothalamus in the brain that aids in uterine contraction and lactationis released in the blood when a woman hears a cry, and that causes milk let-down.

18. Igbo-ora, a town in Nigeria, has the highest number of twin births, because of which it is called theland of twins.

19. During pregnancy, theblood volume increases by 50%, to meet the increased blood flow requirement for the baby and you(10).

20. The milk ducts are completely developedduring thesecond trimesterof pregnancy. Your breasts may feel big but the milk does not come out till delivery .

21. Is your husband experiencing any pregnancy symptoms such as cravings, morning sickness, and anxiety? Well, it is a real condition referred to as couvade syndrome orsympathetic pregnancy.

22. In Ancient Egypt, it was believed that if a pregnant womanpeed on barley and wheatand if they sprouted, pregnancy was confirmed. It was also said that if barley grew, it would be a boy, and if wheat sprouted, then it would be a girl.

23. 听说过pregnancy glow?That’s real! As the blood volume increases during pregnancy, and there is increased estrogen hormone, pregnant women will have glowing skin and shiny hair.

24. Your fetus will develop taste buds during 13-14 week. This is the time when yourbaby can tastesome strong and pungent flavors.

25. Sweating and more sweating!pregnan时血容量增加t, your body temperature increases. Your body starts sweating more to cool you down.

26. You might notice achange in your voicewhen you are pregnant. That is because your vocal cords may get swollen, altering your tone.

27. Twin pregnancy fact!Twins start bondingwith each other right from when they are in the womb. Every twin set is different, but they do share a special bond.

28. Women produce more estrogen在一个比怀孕妇女可以在怀孕eir entire life!

29. Morning sickness is not limited to the mornings. It can be experienced during afternoons and evenings too. Seeking regular prenatal care can help alleviate these symptoms.

30. Besides nourishing the fetus, theplacenta can protect your little onefrom infections too by transferring protective antibodies from your body to your fetus.

31. Yourbaby could be dreamingin the womb. Scientists have observed rapid eye movement of the fetus when it is in the womb, and believe it is due to dreaming.

32. Hormonal changes duringpregnancy could affect your vision.But there is nothing to worry about, as it is a temporary condition.

33. It has been scientifically proven thatnipple stimulationcan induce labor naturally. This technique releases oxytocin from your body, which triggers contractions.

34. In around five months of gestation, the fetus will develop soft and fine hair referred to aslanugo. It usually sheds away in the following months, but some babies are born with it.

35. Only 3 to 5% of the babies are born on the due date.So if you are running late, do not panic.

36. Pseudocyesis is a term given forfalse pregnancy. It causes many pregnancy symptoms, but the woman is not pregnant. Strange, right?

37. You mightpoop during labor. This is a common occurrence and not something you should be embarrassed about.

38. You might experience minorgum and nose bleedingwhile pregnant.

39. Your baby when born hasmore bonesthan you. However, some bones fuse while the baby is growing up.

40. Babies repeatedlyyawnin the womb(12).

41. Yourbaby first passes poop in the womb, early on in pregnancy(13).

42. You would be delighted to know what all babies can do in the womb. Many ultrasounds have detected the fetusesclapping hands, smiling and making expressions, and sucking their thumbsin the womb(14).

43. Orgasms could induce laborsome times during late pregnancy(16).

44. Do you getweird dreams?Pregnant women commonly get vivid and strong dreams, which are usually frightening. Talking about the dream with someone can help you take it off your mind(17).

45. Pregnancy could bringchanges in the mother’s braintoo(18).

You must have come across a lot of myths while you are pregnant. Some common ones are debunked here:

46. Myth:Your belly shape/size reveals the gender of the baby.

Fact:The shape or size of the pregnant belly has nothing to say about your baby’s gender. So, if someone tells you that you would deliver a girl or a boy just by looking at your belly, do not believe it.

47. Myth:Eating papaya during pregnancy can cause miscarriage.

Fact:Maternal health should not be negatively impacted by consuming fully ripe papaya. However, the presence of latex in unripe or semi-ripe papaya may cause uterine contractions(19).

48. Myth:It is dangerous to exercise during pregnancy.

Fact:Not every pregnant woman is at risk due to exercise. So it is better to consult your doctor before doing so and do it under the guidance of an expert trainer.

49. Myth:Eat for two when you are pregnant.

Fact:You do not have to eat for two while you are pregnant. Although your nutrition should improve, you will need only 300 calories extra during pregnancy.

50. Myth:Pregnant women should not drink coffee.

Fact:According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, consuming less than 200mg caffeine is not harmful in pregnancy(20).

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