By Dr. Michael Lu, MD, MPH and Associate Professor of OB/GYN and Public Health and lead investigator for the Los Angeles-Ventura Study Center of the National Children’s Study.
We often hear or read about what women should or should not do to promote a healthy pregnancy and prevent problems during labor or after the child is born. However, one of the key timeframes in which to consider changing behaviors is the period before conception.
Each week over a hundred pregnant moms make their way into our office for their routine obstetric visits. We are often amazed by the myths floating around in the community intending to confuse and scare potential mothers to be. For a variety of reasons, urban legends and old wives tales seem to thrive in the world pregnancy.
After checking out some of the information out there, we decided it was time to pool our vast wealth of shared knowledge and experience and write our own book, “The Mommy Doc’s Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth,” based on the most up-to-date medical research available and filtered through the lens of our daily lives, both as busy ob-gyns and as dedicated moms.
There are many urban legends and old wives tales about different ways to predict your baby's sex. The most accurate method to find out the gender of the baby, before the baby is born, is an ultrasound. But if you can’t wait for that day to come, here are some irresistible and fun methods to start the betting.
I have never felt the urge to be a mom. But he doctor confirmed it this morning: After 13 years of marriage, we are going to be parents.
Danielle Christopher
Two months ago, I walk away from the third doctor who confirmed that I would never get pregnant naturally. I was only a little sad. I have never felt the urge to be a mom. But he doctor confirmed it this morning: After 13 years of marriage, we are going to be parents.
One mother endures countless miscarriages in order to birth two beautiful daughters. But she finds herself doubting her ability to create a third.
Christy Hiniker
"I know you're scared given your history, but we've done this twice now," Dr. F. said, excitedly bobbing his head up and down, "there's no reason this won't work a third time."
I found myself exactly in this state of denial as I sat there, once again, fiddling with the crinkly paper liner of the exam table. Half listening to our OB explain the progesterone treatments and blood thinners that he was certain were going to "do the trick" this time.
When one young woman knows it's her destiny to become a mother, fate tells her otherwise.
Christy Hiniker
"Third times a charm" was not the case for us. It felt like a cruel joke as we sat in the same office, on the same pleather chairs, hearing the same words, from the same man. I felt myself stiffen when he suggested that we should take some time before we tried for another baby. The very thought caused a short circuit in my heart.
One husband reveals his inner thoughts--and fears--when he learns his life is changing.
Michael Roemensky
With the lack of oxygen to my brain I began to feel dizzy. Being the person that I am, and like most men, instantaneously a thousand ‘whatifs’ began to manifest inside my head. Whatif I’m a horrible father? Whatif I do things wrong? Whatif my life changes? Whatif I won’t have the time to complete everything I want to do?
Parents looking for genetic perfection can click here.
Laurie Dent Wegman
From the annals of “Really—you can’t be serious, can you?” comes a twist on human procreation so shallow it makes Heidi Montag look like Maya Angelou: an online sperm bank where the donors must be certifiably beautiful.
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