Myth: Breastfeeding is a reliable protection against pregnancy

Many mothers are well aware of the dangers of this myth! Lactation is not an effective method of contraception.

Lactational amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) is a real phenomenon. This is a complex mechanism, formed in the process of evolution, which allows a woman to successfully breastfeed her child for at least six months (during this period there are usually no periods after childbirth) and restore strength before the next pregnancy.

However, to maintain this mechanism, it is necessary for the infant to be latched to the breast every three hours, including at night.

This regimen stimulates the brain center responsible for suppressing ovulation. It is important to note that even with this frequent feeding, protection against pregnancy is not always guaranteed.

Often, within 6-8 weeks after giving birth, a woman is ready to conceive again, and a new pregnancy can go undetected for a long time because there are no periods. Once ovulation resumes, open, unprotected intercourse in a breastfeeding woman can lead to conception.

Myth: Caesarean section is easier than natural birth

A caesarean section is intended to save the life of the mother and baby and should only be performed when necessary. This procedure has its pros and cons.

In case of caesarean section, the risk for the baby is reduced in terms of umbilical cord entanglement, dislocation or broken bones. Surgery can save the baby’s life in cases of irregular pulse or transverse presentation. In addition, a cesarean section protects the baby from complications that may occur during a natural birth.

On the other hand, a caesarean section puts more stress and shock on the baby. Cesarean section is also associated with an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome, allergies, asthma and sensory problems.

For the mother, a caesarean section avoids pain during labor and is safer and faster. However, this is a major operation, after which a full recovery is required, and the risk of complications for the mother is higher than with a natural birth.

Myth: Epidurals cause paralysis

Some consider epidural anesthesia as a blessing, while others consider it a natural and therefore harmful procedure.
A new study examining the complication rate of epidural anesthesia has found that serious complications from the procedure are extremely rare. The study was published in the journal Anesthesiology, the official publication of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

The following complications may occur:

• High neuraxial block is the sudden achievement of a high level of anesthesia that unexpectedly affects the central nervous system.
• Stopping breathing.
• Spinal anesthesia is the inadvertent deep penetration of a needle into the spinal canal.

More than 257,000 cases of births using anesthesia were analyzed. Of these, 157 severe complications were identified, including 85 anesthesia-related cases.
The statistical probabilities of complications were as follows:

• The most common complication was neuraxial block, occurring with an incidence of 1 in every 4336 births.
• Respiratory arrest occurred with a probability of 1 case in every 10,042 births.
• Incorrect spinal anesthesia occurred at a rate of 1 in every 15,435 births.