Cracked! 30 common myths about pregnancy taboos. Have you been told when you are pregnant: you cannot hold scissors, being patted on the shoulder can lead to miscarriage, eating barley and hawthorn can lead to miscarriage, eating crabs can cause dystocia... Even in a modern civilized society, there are still many folk rumors Pregnancy taboos, however, are these statements 100% correct? Through detailed explanations from the perspectives of folklore experts, obstetricians and gynecologists, and Chinese medicine practitioners, pregnant mothers can spend the difficult 10 months of pregnancy with peace of mind.
There are still many taboos about pregnancy that have been circulated since ancient times. Where do these opinions come from? Zhou Jiaqian, an attending physician at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Taiwan Adventist Hospital, said that in the past, when ultrasound technology did not exist, it was difficult to know whether there were any abnormalities in the fetus during pregnancy. The problem would only be discovered after delivery, or even in the event of dystocia. There are so many taboos surrounding pregnancy. Looking at the starting point alone, it is actually to allow pregnant mothers to have more rest time during pregnancy, such as moving, lifting heavy objects, raising their hands to do things, etc. For women with weak bodies, There is indeed a risk of uterine contractions, leading to premature birth and miscarriage. Therefore, when looking at many taboos, it is not necessary to refute them with opposing viewpoints. These taboos can prevent certain accidents.
Huang Yuling, an attending physician at the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Renai Campus of Taipei City United Hospital, pointed out that due to the poor hygiene, medical and nutritional conditions in ancient times, the miscarriage rate was high, and even if you gave birth, you might not be able to survive. It can be saved, so pregnant mothers will be paid special attention to, so that various taboo legends appear.
Assistant Professor Zhong Pei-nuan of the Language Center of the National Kaohsiung University of Applied Science added that from a traditional perspective, ancestors had no scientific explanation for the miscarriage, dystocia, and birth of a mutilated baby. Therefore, Corresponding taboos and witchcraft behaviors are generated to achieve the purpose of fetal safety, fetal maintenance and prenatal education. In traditional folk customs, everyone has a set of proper arrangements throughout his life. At various stages of development, supernatural and social certifications are given, symbolizing entering different stages of life, establishing social status and the roles to be played. Usually life etiquette It includes three stages: isolation, ritual and rendezvous. The first two stages are the process of sacred sacrifice, and the last stage is the return to the secular state. In the sanctification stage, traditional customs are often combined with supernatural power (the power of gods). At the same time, that is to say, the connotation of life rituals and customs has a certain component of witchcraft thoughts, which are mysterious and sacred.
However, from the perspective of Western medicine and Chinese medicine, pregnant mothers should face these taboos with a normal mind and not be too nervous. If you have any doubts, you can consult a doctor or sign up for a mother's classroom course. Understanding what you must pay attention to during pregnancy and labor, reducing unnecessary anxiety, and keeping your mood stable are the best prenatal education for your baby. In terms of diet, if pregnant mothers pay attention to a balanced intake and eat small amounts frequently, as long as the required nutrients are sufficient, some pregnancy risks can be avoided. In addition, pregnant mothers should have the right mentality to understand the hidden reasons for taboos, so that they can avoid accidents and dangers during pregnancy.
Basically, pregnancy taboos are roughly divided into three aspects: "customs", "diet" and "life". The following is based on the most common taboos and myths through folklore experts, obstetricians and gynecologists and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. The teacher explains in detail from three perspectives.
Can the "Fetal God" be trusted?
Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan said that the fetal god has a multi-layered concept, which is different from ordinary gods. The fetal god has no specific image, no gender, no miracles, no legends, and no temples. He doesn't even have a name, and he's not even worshiped by the public. Although the fetal god is called "god", it is not divine and will not protect the fetus and pregnant women at all (the ones who protect the fetus are the good gods such as Zhusheng Niangniang, Chen Jinggu, Twelve Mother-in-Laws, Bed Mother, etc.). The fetus god is moody and can cause trouble to people at every turn, so its essence is "fetal evil" (called "fetal killing" in ancient books), which is the product of the folk concept of general evil.
The fetal god's activities range around pregnant women, and the main haunts are the bedrooms. There are rules to follow in the direction of menstruation. The ancients were afraid that pregnant women would not remember it clearly, so they recorded it in detail day by day in farmers' calendars. The ancients tried to explain the causes of miscarriage or mutilated newborns through the use of "fetal gods". Nowadays, people's wisdom has been greatly improved, and there is no need to believe in the existence of fetal gods.
Further reading: 5 tips for a smooth and smooth delivery! 6 Pregnancy Taboos About "Customs"
There are many folk legends about pregnancy taboos, and customs and customs vary from place to place. Many expectant mothers are deeply troubled. Are these rumors credible? 1. You can’t tell if you are less than 3 months pregnant, otherwise it will lead to miscarriage?
Dr. Zhou Jiaqian pointed out that because the fetus in the first trimester (before 12 weeks) is relatively unstable, the probability of miscarriage is about 1/5. Because the baby's chromosomal abnormalities are naturally eliminated and early miscarriage occurs, therefore, the risk of miscarriage is relatively high. cautious. In addition, most people nowadays choose to announce the pregnancy after 12 weeks of stabilization, mainly due to psychological factors, especially infertile or elderly pregnant mothers, who are more worried about the risk of miscarriage. In fact, the decision of whether to announce or not lies with the pregnant mother. Whether to announce or not will not affect the incidence of miscarriage.
However, we would like to remind pregnant mothers that if you are just 7 or 8 weeks pregnant and have a tendency of threatened miscarriage, in order to allow you to rest more, it is recommended that you inform your company supervisor and colleagues so that they can take care of you. , but can gain everyone’s understanding. 2. Can’t attend weddings and funerals?
Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan said that in traditional customs, pregnant women should avoid participating in wedding banquets, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, because the bride god is larger than the fetus god, and pregnancy is a happy event. If you participate at the same time, Other celebrations will cause "joy over happiness", which is not good for the pregnant mother, the fetus or the newlyweds. This is based on the concept that "pregnant women are regarded as unclean".
Basically, pregnant mothers are not allowed to come into contact with funeral matters, such as entering and leaving the funeral home, performing meritorious deeds, offering sacrifices, enclosing people, going out for funerals, etc. This includes using bereaved towels to avoid being washed away by evil spirits; eating funeral offerings may cause the effects of evil spirits. It will lead to miscarriage; attending a funeral will make it difficult to raise a child after birth; seeing the coffin sealed or touching the coffin will lead to miscarriage or premature death.
Except for close relatives, general funerals should be avoided as much as possible, especially watching the deceased being laid to rest, to prevent the sad atmosphere from affecting pregnant mothers. If a pregnant mother's mood fluctuates, the fetus will feel it. Therefore, since ancient times, pregnant mothers have been expected to maintain a happy mood and provide positive prenatal education.
Extended reading: When the ghost month comes, are there many taboos for pregnant women and babies? 13 myths debunked scientifically 3. Can patting a pregnant woman on the shoulder cause miscarriage?
Dr. Zhou Jiaqian pointed out that there is a fear that patting the pregnant mother on the shoulder will easily frighten her and may cause uterine contractions. Another theory is that the Jianjing point on the shoulder may cause uterine contractions if pressed vigorously, but in fact it is rare. However, pregnant mothers are reminded to be particularly careful in the early stages and to take this statement at face value. 4. Is it easy to give birth to cartilage after watching puppet shows or puppet shows?
It is often said that pregnant mothers should not watch puppet shows and puppet shows. Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan explained that because the puppets have hollow bodies and are controlled by the palms of their hands, if pregnant mothers watch puppet shows, they will Children will be born who are boneless, cartilage or very passive. Since puppets must be pulled by strings to move, if a pregnant mother watches a puppet show, her child will be manipulated like a puppet for the rest of her life.
As for another theory, pregnant mothers who watch puppet shows are more likely to give birth to children without bones or cartilage. This theory comes from the concept of "rebirth", which believes that watching a puppet show will change the characters in the play. Characteristics are transmitted to the fetus in the belly through induction. In fact, this folk taboo is just a reminder of the life of pregnant mothers by the ancients. From a medical or scientific perspective, there is no need to believe it in modern times. 5. Will pregnant women be frightened easily if pictures of wild beasts are hung in the living room? Can’t a tiger enter a pregnant woman’s room?
Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan said that beast skins, beast pictures or ornaments should not be placed in the living room or bedroom, otherwise the beasts will eat the fetus. Among them, tiger is the most serious problem. To this day, people still firmly believe that people whose zodiac sign is tiger are not allowed to enter the room of pregnant mothers. The reason is that tigers are ferocious animals that often eat people. In addition, based on the idea that the zodiac sign is the destiny, the ancients It is believed that those born under the sign of Tiger will hurt the fetus secretly when entering the dormitory. This is based on the sympathetic magic of the law of similarity. Although it is unscientific and superstitious, based on respect, the feelings of pregnant mothers and their families must still be considered, and it is not appropriate to deliberately challenge folk taboos. .
6. Avoid touching temples or worshiping?
Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan explained that the main reason why pregnant mothers are not allowed to visit temples or worship is that the gods are supreme and the fetus is the product of male and female intercourse. In front of the gods, it is considered disrespectful, including not being able to Participate in worshiping gods and sacrifices; do not approach shrines, witchcraft and other clergy; do not touch the gods, tablets or offerings; do not approach special rituals, such as: gods and Buddhas go too far; during the Zhongyuan Purification, the waist of a pregnant mother’s home The bucket (baby bucket) cannot be placed in the vestibule to avoid offending the White Tiger God or Pudu God and endangering the fetus. These are caused by the concept that "pregnant women are considered unclean".
Further reading: How many weeks will it take to hear the heartbeat? When will the gender be known? Full analysis of the hot search questions in "Early Pregnancy"! Crack! 30 common myths about pregnancy taboos 14 pregnancy taboos about "diet"
After pregnancy, there will be many foods that need to be "tabooed". What taboos should pregnant mothers pay attention to so as not to cause harm to the mother or fetus? What about the damage? 1. Will eating barley and hawthorn during pregnancy lead to miscarriage?
In principle, it is not recommended for pregnant mothers to eat cold foods, such as barley, hawthorn, etc. Dr. Huang Yuling emphasized that in addition to cooling, barley can also diuretic, remove dampness, and eliminate edema. However, during pregnancy, appropriate amniotic fluid is needed to protect the safety of the fetus.
According to research data, eating too much barley may cause the amniotic fluid to decrease, causing danger to the baby. Therefore, it is best to eat as little as possible during pregnancy. Pregnant mothers with weak and cold constitutions should avoid eating hawthorn, because its acidic properties may cause contractions if the uterus is stimulated, so it is not recommended for pregnant mothers to buy it on their own.
Dr. Zhou Jiaqian believes that Western medicine generally recommends pregnant mothers to eat more foods with high fiber content, so some pregnant mothers will eat red beans and barley with large oats for breakfast. It can be seen that barley is not completely inedible, but if the pregnant mother has a grudge or is worried about being sensitive to barley, she may wish to choose other cereals instead of barley. 2. Will babies easily develop jaundice after eating papaya?
Dr. Zhou Jiaqian said that neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice is further divided into hemolytic jaundice and cholestasis (ie, biliary atresia), which is not the same as eating papaya. No connection.
Papaya is mainly rich in carotene. If you eat too much, some lutein may precipitate, causing the skin color of pregnant mothers to turn yellow. In fact, it is not a problem as long as you don’t overdose. And if you stop eating papaya for a while, Over time, the skin will naturally return to its original color. Dr. Huang Yuling explained that babies will have some physiological jaundice when they are born, which usually subsides within 1 to 2 weeks after birth. Therefore, if it is not pathological jaundice, there is no need to worry too much.
Extended reading: To achieve perfect nutrition during pregnancy, this is the right way to eat during pregnancy! 3. Will eating ginger give your baby an extra finger?
Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan pointed out that the shape of ginger is bifurcated and very similar to the human palm. The ancients had a superstitious belief that pregnant mothers would be more likely to give birth to babies with polydactyly if they ate it. However, ginger is a spicy food. If a pregnant mother eats it, her child will be prone to sores and eye diseases. In addition, ginger is spicy and can easily loosen gas, which can also lead to miscarriage and miscarriage in pregnant mothers.
Dr. Huang Yuling explained that women’s physique will be affected by hormones. Generally, normal women will have some menstrual symptoms during menstruation and may feel hot and dry. Similarly, during pregnancy, in order to create a warm environment for the fetus to grow, the body will be slightly warmer than before pregnancy. Therefore, many cold foods should not be consumed in excess.
Is it safe to eat hot food? In fact, this is not the case. When a pregnant mother's body is already very hot, eating hot food will only make her more uncomfortable. Ginger is a hot food. However, it is okay to add some ginger slices to season the food, but it is not recommended to drink ginger soup or ginger tea. It is undoubtedly pouring a bucket of hot oil into the body, which will increase the internal heat. 4. Will babies develop harelips if they eat rabbit meat?
Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan said that among the dietary taboos during pregnancy, "avoiding rabbit meat" is the most typical. It is believed that pregnant women who eat rabbit meat will develop three-petal mouths (ie hare lips). child. This statement has a long history. It was recorded in the "Book of Pregnancy and Pregnancy" as early as the Warring States Period. It is a witchcraft concept based on the "Law of Similarity" (rabbit meat is associated with hare lips).
Dr. Zhou Jiaqian emphasized that harelips are caused by abnormal embryonic cell division. However, in the past, medical technology was not developed and misunderstandings were made in order to find out the cause. Dr. Huang Yuling explained that rabbit meat is cool in nature and it is not recommended for pregnant mothers to overeat it. 5. Will the baby's skin turn dark if he eats soy sauce? If you eat pearl powder, will your baby's skin turn white?
Basically, whether the baby's skin color is black or white is mainly determined by the parents' genes. Dr. Huang Yuling further explained that the pigment will not be passed directly to the baby through the placenta. Therefore, the baby will not turn black by eating soy sauce or white by eating pearl powder. However, due to the high saltiness of soy sauce, pregnant mothers should be worried that if they eat too many strong-flavored condiments, they may easily make the body hot or cause edema due to poor salt metabolism.
As for pearl powder, it is generally regarded as having beauty and beautifying effects, but it mainly affects pregnant mothers, not babies. Pearl powder has the effect of clearing away heat and calming the nerves, which can help relieve heat and discomfort. A pregnant mother who sleeps can fall asleep easily and can also replenish calcium. When the body is sufficiently rested, the pregnant mother can provide a good environment for the baby. 6. Will eating crabs cause dystocia?
Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan compiled five reasons why pregnant mothers should not eat crabs:
1. Crabs running rampant means that they will have a miscarriage (mutual induction of like).
2. The crab spitting bubbles means that the child is prone to drooling (similar reciprocity).
3. The eight claws of the crab represent the child’s polydactyly (mutual sensitivity of the same kind).
4. Crabs are active and love to catch people, which means that children love to catch people (mutual attraction of the same kind).
5. The cold nature of crabs means that pregnant mothers are prone to miscarriage if they eat them (from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective).
Dr. Huang Yuling added that some seafood is cold in nature, such as clams, oysters, crabs, etc. Crustacean seafood is indeed likely to cause allergic reactions in pregnant mothers, but this allergic factor does not directly Pass it on to the baby. Since the body constitution will change after pregnancy, or pregnant mothers who have allergies themselves, they can consider their own consumption during pregnancy, as long as they pay attention to the balance and do not overdose.
Extended reading: 6 kinds of healthy snacks suitable for pregnant mothers 7. Eating raw and cold food can cause miscarriage?
Assistant Professor Zhong Peinuan said that pregnant mothers should not eat cold (cold) food, especially not drink ice water, otherwise they will easily produce phlegm or have diarrhea, which will affect the growth of the fetus. Generally speaking, cold, cool or annealed food refers to cold food.
Cold foods include melons, eggplants, tofu, celery, spinach, barley, tea, mung beans, etc. Dr. Huang Yuling added that from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, cold foods will cause the uterus to become dry. It is relatively cold, resulting in poor blood circulation, which in turn affects the growth of the fetus. It is not recommended for pregnant mothers to eat. Even fruits taken out of the refrigerator must be warmed before eating. Dr. Zhou Jiaqian also pointed out that some raw and cold foods that are not washed well can easily breed bacteria, especially sashimi, which may contain parasites. If a pregnant mother eats it, it will cause infection, which is not worth the loss. Therefore, she should avoid eating raw and cold foods and try to eat cooked foods. host. 8. Can ginseng nourish the fetus?
People in ancient times were prone to malnutrition, so there were more short and thin women. However, after pregnancy, they needed the nutrition of two people, so they would use ginseng to nourish and regulate the body. Modern people are under a lot of pressure because of the good environment. Pregnant mothers usually suffer from internal heat problems. Unless the pregnant mother is really weak, she would consider taking ginseng to replenish her vitality. 9. Will the tire slip easily if you eat Chuanbei loquat ointment when you cough?
Chuanbei loquat ointment was a common medicine in almost every household in the early days. Some children would even eat it as dessert. There are rumors on the Internet that taking it during pregnancy can cause miscarriage. Dr. Huang Yuling said that although loquat ointment itself is a little cooling, it is relatively mild. In addition, it is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription and has the effects of resolving phlegm, relieving cough, clearing away heat and dissipating stagnation. However, the prescriptions of loquat ointment in the market are different, although it does not prohibit pregnancy. Mommy takes it, but if you really have a cough problem, it is better to seek medical treatment directly. 10. Can’t drink coffee or tea?
Dr. Huang Yuling used foreign research data to explain that high doses of caffeine may directly affect the baby's neurological development through the placenta, but you must drink more than 5 cups a day; be careful not to drink cold brewed tea. Tea and hand-cranked cups of tea are worried about being too cold on the one hand, and unclear on the source on the other.
Dr. Zhou Jiaqian also pointed out that coffee may cause the fetus to be too small, or excessive caffeine intake may lead to uterine contractions and premature birth or miscarriage. It is recommended that you try not to drink it before 12 weeks. If you want to drink coffee or tea after 12 weeks, you can mark the caffeine content of each cup of coffee in three colors: red, yellow, and green according to the caffeine grading system implemented by the Consumer Protection Council of the Executive Yuan. Among them, red is 200 to 300 mg (or (above), yellow is 100-200 mg, and green is less than 100 mg. If pregnant mothers want to drink coffee, it is best to limit the daily dose to 100-200 mg.
Further reading: Can you drink coffee during pregnancy? Chocolate, tea, Yes or No? 11. Will drinking alcohol make babies deformed?
Dr. Zhou Jiaqian said that if pregnant mothers have drinking habits, they may cause "fetal alcohol syndrome" in their babies. If they continue to drink more than 2 cups a day, some special signs or even deformities will appear on the face; if Drinking 1 small cup a day will not cause the baby's appearance to be deformed, but it may affect the behavior and lead to poor learning ability in the future.
Alcohol has strong penetrating power and will be passed directly to the baby through the placenta. Since the baby's liver is not fully developed and cannot metabolize alcohol with enzymes like adults, alcohol will have a negative impact on the baby's appearance and appearance. The developmental and behavioral effects are profound. Dr. Huang Yuling added that there is currently not enough medical research on alcohol and fetuses, and it is impossible to confirm how much drinking will affect the baby, nor to determine the baby's sensitivity to alcohol. It is recommended that pregnant mothers avoid drinking alcohol as much as possible. 12. Huanglian can relieve fetal fever, so newborns will not have jaundice?
Many elders say that you should start eating Huanglian in the later stages of pregnancy so that your baby will not have jaundice. In this regard, Dr. Huang Yuling explained that normal pregnancy constitution will be slightly hotter, but if the reaction is too obvious, it will affect the baby, and it may turn from fetal fever to fetal poison, leading to pathological jaundice. The medicinal properties of Huanglian itself are bitter and cold, and it does have the effect of relieving fetal fever and annealing, but generally pregnant mothers do not need to use Huanglian. Generally, commercially available bitter tea may contain Huanglian. Although it has the function of annealing, the source and dosage of the medicinal materials are unclear. Therefore, it is not recommended for pregnant mothers to drink it. 13. If you avoid eating roosters, your baby will not cry at night after birth?
Almost all newborns cry in the middle of the night. Dr. Zhou Jiaqian pointed out that newborns sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day, but each sleep is very short, about 2 to 4 hours. Therefore, the baby It seems that he wakes up from sleep to sleep. When he is awake, he may cry due to hunger, gas, defecation, peeing, etc., which has nothing to do with eating chicken. In addition, chicken is a good source of protein for pregnant mothers and is not something that cannot be eaten. 14. Can pregnant mothers eat sesame oil chicken, mutton hot pot and spicy hot pot?
In the cold winter, it’s time to eat some warm pots, but pregnant mothers can only smell the aroma? Dr. Huang Yuling said that it is not impossible to eat it, but he is worried that sesame oil chicken, mutton hot pot or spicy hot pot will make pregnant mothers with hot constitution more angry. The reason is that some wine is added to the sesame oil chicken and mutton hot pot, although the alcohol has been stewed. It will evaporate after cooking, but it will cause Qi and blood to flow faster, making pregnant mothers even hotter. Spicy hot pot adds some spices and Chinese medicinal materials. In addition to making the blood flow faster, I don't know whether the added Chinese medicinal materials are suitable for pregnant mothers.
It is worth noting that when some pregnant mothers eat hot pot, they are accustomed to boiling the meat for only a few seconds before eating it. However, there is no guarantee that half-cooked food will be completely free of parasites. Therefore, it must be cooked until it is fully cooked. It can only be eaten when it is cooked, and do not overdose.