4 Things Most People Don't Know About Pregnancy |
Posted: July 4, 2019 |
It can be easy to assume that most adults know everything there is to know about pregnancy. However, the reality is that pregnancy is an extremely complex process, and even scientists are still learning new facts about the nature of pregnancy and baby care. While some pregnancy-related curiosities might seem trivial –– like the fact that women’s feet grow during gestation –– others can have a big impact on the health of both mother and child. To that end, today we’re going to share several often overlooked, yet important facts that all people should know: Conception Can Take a Long Time Around 9-11% of the population will have to deal with infertility issues at some point in their life. What’s more, some couples may try and conceive for over a year before pregnancy occurs. Also, it’s worth noting that infertility affects men just as often as it does women. The good news is that there are more treatment options related to infertility now than ever before. Pregnancies Don’t Last Nine Months It’s a common myth that most pregnant women give birth at exactly the nine-month mark. In fact, only four percent of women have children after forty weeks of pregnancy. Rather, the “average” pregnancy will last around eight months and 24 days. But the potential for variation is massive –– up to five weeks in some instances. And several babies born after a mere 21 weeks have gone on to survive. Hormones are Unpredictable Many people assume that all women who are pregnant exhibit certain signs of hormonal changes such as morning sickness or wild food cravings. But the reality is that each pregnancy is unique and no two women experience the same hormonal fluctuations. A few things that do remain constant though, include:
Your Past Activities Can Affect Your Baby Most people are already aware that the choices an expecting mother makes will have an impact on the health and wellness of her child. That’s why women are strongly discouraged from smoking or drinking during pregnancy. However, fewer people realize that a woman’s health before pregnancy can have an impact on her child’s development as well. Indeed, pregnant women can even pass certain pre-existing infections like STDs to their children in the womb. That’s why it’s important for all pregnant women to visit local STD screening centers both before and during their pregnancies. The Bottom Line If you’re curious about how best to prepare yourself for pregnancy, make sure to reach out to your doctor for further advice and consultation.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|