URBAN LEGENDS IN MEDICINE
OLD WIVES ’ TALES FROM AN OB ROTATION
AUTHOR E . Paige Hart , BA
Old wives ’ tales often have the power , sometimes even unconsciously , to influence our perceptions of everyday phenomenon , such as what weather to expect , what food to eat , or even what clothes to wear . I have heard my fair share of these tall tales while growing up in the South : I knew a black , fuzzy caterpillar meant we would have a hard winter , or if I swallowed my chewing gum it would stay in my stomach for seven years . When choosing to pursue a career in medicine , a field of science and objectivity , I thought my days of old wives ’ tales would be over . I would soon find I was mistaken in this assumption .
During my third year in medical school , I was looking forward to my OB-GYN rotation , especially after I realized that this was the field I planned to pursue . Going into this rotation , I felt well prepared . I had studied the pathophysiologic changes during pregnancy , the appropriate growth for gestational age , and important labs at certain visits . I was ready , or so I thought . One thing I had failed to anticipate was the number of tall tales and folklore I would learn in a few short weeks .
My first encounter with an old pregnancy wives ’ tale came early in my OB-GYN rotation when I was on the labor and delivery floor during a delivery . We were coaching the laboring mom , encouraging her to push , and the baby was beginning to crown . As the baby crowned , I heard the labor nurse tell the mom “ We see lots of hair . You are doing such a good job pushing !” The mom responded , “ I just knew it ! I had so much heartburn during this pregnancy !”
I was confused by the mother ’ s response , and my attending giggled as I gave her a questioning eye . Afterward , my attending explained about this old wives ’ tale that claims heartburn during pregnancy means the baby will be born with a lot of hair . I was astonished that such a common pregnancy symptom would be the centerpiece of so much discussion . It made me wonder what other wives ’ tales were out there and what they would predict . Luckily , I did not have to wait long to find out .
I knew finding out the gender was always a big moment , but I soon learned there were a number of old wives ’ tales that could predict the gender . The next week , I was assessing a patient who came to the floor with the complaint of contractions . During my assessment , I asked if she knew the gender of the baby . She replied , “ Well , not officially ,” which in my experience , is a phrase usually followed by a good story . She continued , “ My ultrasound said I was having a little boy , but I think I am having a little girl . I peed in a cup , and when my husband put baking soda in it , there were no bubbles .” When I asked further , the soon-to-be mother explained that to be able to determine the gender of a baby , you need to mix baking soda with urine . If it bubbles or fizzes , then it is said to be a boy ; if it is still , then it is said to be a girl . I was amazed that she would trust this old wives ’ tale of a urine test over an ultrasound , which speaks to the power of these beliefs .
Later in my rotation , I was checking on an OB patient in clinic
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