Now that you’re pregnant, you’ve probably heard lots of advice about things you shouldn’t be doing because they could affect your baby. These stories based on traditional beliefs, which some of the elder members of the family may take quite seriously, are now considered pregnancy myths.
In the past, when there was no scientific way to determine why certain things happened, people leaned toward “magical” explanations and then made related recommendations.
As an expectant mom, your main concern is your baby’s well-being. Pregnancy myths can sometimes cause unnecessary anxiety, so keep in mind that they have no scientific basis and you shouldn’t worry about them.
However, those old beliefs are a part of our cultural heritage — and they’re entertaining. The fact that they have no medical basis doesn’t mean we can’t listen to them with love and understanding — especially if they’re coming from your abuelita, your elderly aunt, or your mom, who is just trying to share with you what worked for her in her time.
So, have fun reading these myths. They’ll give you an idea of how people thought in the past.