ONE thing women should expect during pregnancy is that there will be tons of advice and tips; they’ll even hear many myths or pamahiin. Even these days, some women still follow these myths for the sake of wala namang masama kung maniniwala, or “better to be safe than sorry.”
These pamahiins abound in Filipino culture, and while some people find no harm in trying, the reality is that expectant mothers go through a lot of physical, mental and emotional changes even after their baby is born, which could contribute to the experiences so many women have had and continue to experience. Sticking to proven facts and listening to the doctor’s advice can help keep a mother and her baby healthy and safe during pregnancy and after childbirth.
We asked Obstetrician Gynecologist (OB-GYN) Dr. Sybil Bravo about some common pregnancy myths: pregnant women are not allowed to exercise; expectant moms can still do their regular beauty and skin-care routine; raw food is a big no-no for pregnant moms, and cravings have a direct effect on your baby; tummy shape can tell the gender of the baby; pregnant women can get vaccination; eat eggs to induce tigdas or measles; bathe the baby with coriander to help them heal faster from chicken pox; you cannot feed a child when they are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting; a bigkis can help with a gassy baby; and when a baby suddenly gets sick, nausog sila.
The No. 1 advice for mothers and babies to keep them at the best of health is to always seek professional medical advice and visit their doctors regularly. Medical breakthroughs such as vaccination can be a huge help in maintaining protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions in the history of the world next to clean water, so the best thing to do is for parents to get their children vaccinated early and continue to encourage them to do so over the course of their lifetime.
To learn more about vaccination and what is beneficial for pregnant women and their children, visit your doctor today. This part of an advocacy campaign led by MSD in the Philippines.
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