There are always various myths surrounding childbirth. Today, we debunk nine common ones.
Myth 1: Cesarean sections eliminate labor pains. FALSE
Many women opt for C-sections to avoid intense labor pains. However, even with a C-section, uterine contractions are unavoidable.Most women experience intense uterine contractions after a C-section, known as "postpartum pain." This pain occurs due to the same mechanism as labor pains—intermittent uterine contractions—and typically lasts 2-3 days.
Postpartum, the uterus relies on contractions to return to its original state. After 40 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus expands to dozens of times its original size, drastically altering both function and appearance! To accommodate the fetus, hormonal changes cause the uterus to thicken, soften, and increase blood supply, transforming into a large hollow sac.After delivery, the marvel of the human body initiates a gradual process to restore the uterus to its original state. The normal progression of uterine contraction is: shrinking into the pelvic cavity within two weeks postpartum, and returning to its pre-pregnancy state by four weeks.
Following surgery, residual blood within the uterus is continuously expelled from the body as lochia.Through powerful contractions, the uterus compresses blood vessel openings, forming clots to stop bleeding. Further squeezing expels these clots, gradually shrinking the uterus back to its original size. Moreover, the pain from the incision after a cesarean section compounds the discomfort, making the combined pain no less intense than the labor pains of a natural birth.
Myth 2: Natural Birth Causes Urinary Incontinence
You may have heard claims that natural childbirth damages bladder muscles and ligaments, leading to postpartum urinary incontinence. This is untrue.
During pregnancy, the uterus continuously expands and gains weight, often causing relaxation of the muscles and ligaments around the bladder neck and urethra. This alters the normal position of the bladder and urethra. After childbirth, the pelvic muscles and ligaments also become relatively relaxed, and the bladder and urethra may descend slightly. These factors can contribute to the possibility of urinary incontinence.However, this is merely a temporary natural phenomenon that may occur in a small number of women postpartum. It should not be regarded as a complication of natural childbirth, nor should it cause fear of natural delivery.
Medically termed stress urinary incontinence, this condition can be fully resolved with proper postpartum recuperation, timely self-exercises for the pelvic floor muscles, and avoiding heavy lifting too soon.
It's also important to understand that cesarean section is a high-risk surgical procedure with potential complications, including damage to the bladder from the incision.
Myth 3: Eating more during labor is beneficial
During active labor, some women find it difficult to stay calm due to contractions and may refuse food or even water. These conditions are detrimental to the birthing process.During labor, mothers should strive to eat something. Only sufficient energy ensures effective uterine contractions and provides the strength needed to deliver the baby. Failing to eat or drink adequately can lead to dehydration, reducing systemic blood volume. This, in turn, decreases blood supply to the placenta, potentially causing fetal hypoxia.
During the first stage of labor, when pushing isn't required, mothers can eat as much as possible to build strength for the second stage. Foods should primarily consist of carbohydrates, as they stay in the stomach less time than proteins or fats, minimizing discomfort, nausea, or vomiting during intense contractions. Additionally, carbohydrates provide rapid energy.Foods should be soft, light, and easily digestible, such as sponge cake, noodles, or congee.
During the second stage, most mothers have little appetite. At this time, drinking some fruit juice or vegetable broth can help replenish fluids lost through sweating. Since the second stage requires continuous exertion, mothers should consume high-energy, easily digestible foods like milk or chocolate.
Myth 4: Water breaking means immediate delivery
Amniotic fluid primarily consists of fetal urine, though it contains trace minerals, micronutrients, and growth hormones. Its main functions are cushioning the fetus from external impacts and maintaining a constant temperature to protect against thermal fluctuations.Thus, amniotic fluid does not supply oxygen or nutrients to the fetus. Therefore, its leakage after rupture does not mean the fetus's oxygen and nutrient supply is cut off. In fact, if a mother-to-be nearing her due date experiences rupture of membranes, it may take about a day (sometimes longer) for labor contractions to begin.
Thus, there's no need to rush to the hospital in panic. Most mothers won't require oxytocin assistance, with the vast majority delivering within 24 hours. If rupture occurs between 35 and 37 weeks gestation, doctors will induce delivery. Though considered premature, the fetus's lungs are sufficiently developed at this stage to ensure survival after birth.In summary, water breaking isn't as frightening as it seems, but it must be taken seriously. Timely hospital admission is sufficient.
Myth 5: Cesarean section helps restore body shape. False
Beauty is a natural desire for women. Consequently, some expectant mothers consider body shape even when planning delivery."They say C-sections prevent hip widening and help maintain your figure." This is a common reason many expectant mothers choose cesarean delivery. However, this claim is inaccurate. After natural childbirth, the hip joints naturally return to their previous state. Therefore, from a skeletal joint perspective, this argument is unfounded.
Regarding weight, postpartum body recovery depends entirely on your pre-pregnancy condition. If you were already overweight, your weight will likely increase further after childbirth and be harder to shed. If your weight was within the normal range, moderate exercise can help you return to normal quickly.
The reality is that recovery after a C-section is actually slower than after natural birth.This is because C-sections typically require over 10 days of bed rest, unlike vaginal births where you can get up and move around the next day, allowing for earlier exercise. Additionally, C-sections may affect milk production, and breastfeeding converts fat stored in the abdomen and hips during pregnancy into milk—the most effective weight loss method.
Myth 6: Improper pushing causes vaginal tearing. True.During labor, improper pushing techniques can indeed cause perineal tears. When the baby's head becomes visible during the second stage of labor, the midwife will instruct the mother to avoid excessive pushing. If the head emerges too rapidly, the perineal skin may tear. Therefore, relaxation is crucial—taking a few seconds to breathe and rest when pushing is not required.With each contraction, the mother should take a deep breath, then push downward while holding her breath until the contraction subsides. When pushing, exert gentle, even pressure following the midwife's guidance. Otherwise, severe tears in the perineum and vagina may occur.
90% of first-time mothers experience some degree of tearing during delivery, but most cases are minor and heal quickly—no need for concern. Even if complications arise during delivery, doctors will perform an episiotomy based on the situation, effectively preventing tears.
Myth 7: Screaming during labor relieves pain.
Some believe that vocalizing during contractions provides comfort.This is incorrect. Shouting during labor is strongly discouraged, as it wastes energy and causes intestinal gas buildup, hindering uterine dilation and fetal descent. Shouting often leads to swallowing large amounts of air, causing intestinal distension that prevents normal eating. This can result in dehydration, vomiting, and difficulty urinating.
Myth 8: Labor pains are like menstrual cramps, only worse.
Labor pains primarily stem from uterine muscle contractions, with pelvic muscles and ligaments anchoring the uterus also contributing directly. Menstrual cramps, however, are mainly caused by mild uterine contractions. Thus, their underlying mechanisms differ fundamentally.