I was surprised to read facts in pregnancy books, that opposed much of what I had heard all my life. Pregnancy manuals helped me to overcome old wives tales, and myths that I had listened to for decades. I found that many things I had regarded as fact, were not based in reality.
My grandmother had me believing that I had to sit still during the final weeks before giving birth. And stay indoors up to two weeks after leaving the hospital. She told me that in her day, a new mother stayed in bed with the shades down for at least 10 days.
The pregnancy books said the complete opposite. They suggested that I remained active right up until I went into labor. And could be out and about within a week after giving birth, if there were no complications. I remained active until I went into labor with each of my 3 children. And was out of the house in less than 2 weeks.
Each of my 3 of my children were born by natural child birth, with no medication. Unfortunately with my first child, I experienced extreme pain, was unable to relax, and embarrassed to be in a labor and delivery room with other screaming mothers.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that by faithfully doing the breathing, and manual exercises outlined in the pregnancy books, my last two deliveries were virtually pain free, just a little discomfort. I also read in pregnancy books about the option of a private delivery room. This was my choice with my last two children, and I believe the privacy helped me to relax.
I had also heard that couples had to abstain from love making during the third trimester, because sex could possibly cause premature labor. I listened to women lament how neither they nor their husband desired each other during pregnancy.
I was glad to read in the books, that there while there are couples who lose desire during pregnancy, there are others whose desire increases during the gestation period. And if there were no complications, and the OBGYN was OK with it, there was no need to limit romance.
My husband and I fell into the latter category, and were pleased to be able to express our love right up until I went into labor, each of the 3 times I was expecting. There were absolutely no complications, or premature births. All 3 of our children were born within 2 or 3 days of their due date.
I was also surprised to find the books detailed and illustrated different positions that couples could experiment with that might be more comfortable while expecting.