Joyful sex creates baby boys (and other Pinoy pregnancy myths)

WOMEN TALK   “Is it true, Doctora, that I shouldn’t eat black grapes anymore?” a 28-year-old patient once asked me during her pre-natal visit. She was pregnant with her first baby, and was about two months along. She was excited, but was having doubts about her diet after well-meaning relatives advised her to avoid food like purple grapes, duhat, or even coffee or chocolates because these will supposedly make the baby’s skin dark! It’s funny how these misconceptions still persist, even during these modern times. Here are some of the most common myths that Pinays could entirely erase from their thoughts. 1. Diet and cravings determine a baby’s looks For Filipinos who seemed to be obsessed with having fair skin, having a dark baby gave my patient pause from partaking of her favorite grapes. I had to patiently tell her that the color of the baby’s skin is determined by her genes. Some surprises, though, may crop up when a dark-skinned baby comes out and both parents are fair. This could be explained by a gene for dark skin possessed by a grandparent, or someone further back in the family tree, that is expressed only now.   The same is true with the fear of eating “hairy” food (like balut, or even rambutan), because the baby might come out hirsute. And will the baby look like someone you abhor (“pinaglilihian”) – a quarrelsome neighbor, perhaps, or a nosy office mate? Not true!   2. A baby’s sex depends on the mother Another question that patients often ask is the so-called “Chinese Calendar” method to determine the gender of the baby. Having sex on a certain day, it seems, can result in a boy or a girl.   Theoretically, the sperm that carries the sex chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males) determines the sex of the baby. Studies show that the XX-containing sperms (resulting in female babies) swim up slower, but they stay alive longer than the XY (resulting in male babies). Therefore, in an ideal world of a 28-day menstrual cycle, it might be best to time the sexual contact around the woman’s ovulation date on the 14th day if the couple wants a boy because the XY swims up faster, but dies earlier.   The exact ovulation can be determined by ultrasound when we see the extrusion of the egg from the ovary. But then again, gender would still be determined by the sperm that fertilized the egg. Hence, it is erroneous to blame the woman if she cannot conceive a male child, an heir that is most important in many Asian families (think Princess Masako of Japan), because it is the male partner who contributes the XY chromosome.   This biological phenomenon also debunks the myth that when ovulation occurs in the right ovary, the result will be a boy; and in the left, a girl. Neither is it true that if the woman takes more pleasure in the sexual act, the result will be a boy. Again, only the XX and XY sperms can answer this question. The baby’s later movements too, whether to the right or left of the mother, have nothing to do with its gender.   3. A bad fall can cause a cleft lip or palate One patient came in very worried, because she just had a fall and she hit her tummy. She was in her 18th week of pregnancy, about halfway through, and she was afraid that her baby might get a cleft lip or palate from the accident.   I explained to her that it is the non-union of the right and left maxillary plates (the bones above the upper lip) during the first three months of life that causes cleft lips or palates, and not trauma. Some studies show, however, that women who smoke may have babies with these defects.   Just to be sure, a pelvic ultrasound (specifically, a congenital anomaly scan) may be done, preferably during the 22nd week of pregnancy when all organ systems are well-formed, to allay her fears. Added advice, of course, would be to take care especially during the last three months when the baby grows large and heavy, as her center of gravity shifts. She can easily lose her balance, and may fall.   4. A mother’s mood influences her baby’s personality   Another common question is whether the mother’s prevailing mood during the pregnancy may affect the baby’s personality. Many patients undergo intense emotional events (death of parents, separation from a partner) during pregnancy, leading to melancholy or sad thoughts. They worry that the baby will “inherit” these gloomy dispositions and grow up to become an unhappy individual.   Reassurances to the contrary usually bring about relief. It will be another story, of course, if the child grows up in a cheerless, dour environment.   5. Bleeding is normal   How about bleeding during pregnancy, another patient asks. Some old folks call it “pagbabawas,” saying that it is part of an early pregnancy. Many patients come for prenatal check-ups only during or after the third month, thinking that the pregnancy before this time is but a “lump of blood” (“dugo pa lang”).   However, any bleeding during pregnancy is not normal. It would be best to consult your doctor if bleeding occurs at any time. Even as early as six weeks, sensitive pelvic ultrasounds can, most of the time, pick up the baby’s heartbeats and measure the baby’s size to give assurance for a healthy pregnancy.   During the early prenatal exam, a review of systems, family history, probably a Pap’s smear, and necessary laboratory tests could all be taken. Medical advice then, could be given early and the patient’s questions answered.   6. Massage during pregnancy prevents breech babies   Some women ask whether it is good to have the abdomen massaged (“hilot”) during the third trimester to correct any malpresentations (breech, shoulder): that is, the buttocks or the shoulder of the baby presents first, rather than the head.   This is very dangerous, as it can cause separation of the placenta and severe bleeding inside the uterus, and may even cause the baby’s demise. The long umbilical cord may coil tightly around its neck during these “massages” and may strangulate the baby.   Moreover, malpresentation is highly associated with an inadequate pelvis -- that is, the mother’s pelvic bones are too narrow for the baby to pass through normally. This means that even if the baby was converted into a vertex (that is, head first) supposedly through massage, the probability of a normal delivery is still low for women with a very narrow pelvis. Pregnancy is indeed a joyous event. With knowledge, many misconceptions could be cleared up, and with proper attitude and practices, one can look forward to a happy nine-month anticipation and finally, the delivery of a healthy baby. – YA/HS, GMA News   Alice M. Sun-Cua is a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist at San Juan de Dios Hospital.