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Old wives’ tales

In search of scientific evidence for the myths surrounding pregnancy. Fiction or facts?

Publication date: 01 January 2016

Are you pregnant and have a pointy belly? It is sure to be a boy! A round belly? It will definitely be a girl. Old wives’ tales. They are not based on any science whatsoever, but they have been around for ages.

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Are you pregnant and have a pointy belly? It is sure to be a boy! A round belly? It will definitely be a girl. Old wives’ tales. They are not based on any science whatsoever, but they have been around for generations.

These ‘old wives' tales’ actually can raise questions in mothers to be. They are stories passed on by older women to a younger generation. These ‘old wives’ cherished the ancient, tested methods and their supposed wisdom made them the proverbial rock for the inexperienced new mother (to be).

Many of such old wives’ tales have never been investigated and are, therefore, far from evidence-based. Evidence-based care is about the promotion of best practices in care and the provision of high-quality care that is based on the most current, scientific evidence. In this research project, RUAS students look into these old wives’ tales.

Project description

Midwifery practices will provide us with their clients’ (most frequently asked) questions, which are actually founded on old wives’ tales. Students will conduct the study as part of their graduation assignments through both a literature review and practice-based research. Historical research is also included in the assignment.