Life

zhu difeng/Fotolia
3 Accurate Old Wives' Tales About The Third Trimester

by Tessa Shull

There are endless amounts of "facts" about pregnancy that moms-to-be have to sort through during their nine plus months. Most of them are merely myths with no scientific basis. But not everything is total BS, especially when it comes to the end f your pregnancy. As it turns out, there are several old wives' tales about your third trimester that are totally true and deserve you attention when you come across them online or at a family function.

As most myths, old wives' tales about pregnancy come from women passing down their own stories and experiences. Until studies are done, however, most of these tall tales have no true foundational basis other than personal experiences that may not apply to everyone Although stories from your ancestors can be a true treasure, it's also good to maintain a certain amount of skepticism when it comes to old wives' tales without any scientific basis. Luckily, with today's technology and information, it's not too hard to figure out what's true and what's not.

To find out which pregnancy old wives' tales are true in your third trimester, check out the three below. As far as everything else, take it with a grain of salt.

1When Your Belly Drops, Labor Is Near

According to Healthline, your belly dropping is one of the major signs labor is on the way. It doesn't always mean you're going into labor immediately, but your body is starting to prepare. For some women that means there's just a few hours left while others still have several days.

2Sex Is Actually Good For You

Sex is healthy for the majority of pregnant women, and can even be beneficial. OB-GYN North shared that it can help get your cervix ready for labor, stimulate the uterus, and cause the release of oxytocin (which can cause contractions). If you're near or past your due date, doctors may suggest having sex to jumpstart the labor process.

3Your Due Date Holds Clout

It's not just an astrological myth that the month you're due can affect or predict some mental and physical aspects of your child. According to Parents, fetal research shows that the time of year your baby's born can have a lasting impact. For example, the publication noted that if your third trimester falls in late summer/early fall, your baby is likely to be taller and have thicker bones than those born during other times of the year.

No two pregnancies are alike, and some mothers' experiences may be completely different than others, regardless of whether old wives' tales are true or not. So make sure to take everything you hear with a grain of salt.