September 09, 2014
Wives Tales that are the Real Deal #15: Long Labors
Here's a wives' tale that most pregnant women have heard:
Having a long labor means that your child will be a boy.
This one seems to be true, for a number of reasons.
First of all, many--not all, but many--baby boys are born with a heavier birth weight than baby girls. Boys tend to be larger and heavier than girls, meaning that it takes more work for mothers to push them out. Boys also usually have larger heads, meaning there is a higher chance of complications during labor.
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Source: sheknows.com[/caption]
One specialist studied over 4,000 boys and girls between 1997 and 2000, searching for the signs of labor complications. Only 24% of baby girls presented complications at birth, compared to 29% of baby boys.
6% of boys needed a Caesarian section, while only 4% of girls did. 8% of boys required foreceps, compared to only 6% of girls. 15% of boys needed ventouse assistance, but only 14% of girls did.
This doesn't mean that giving birth to a boy GUARANTES more complications, but baby boys are slightly more likely to cause complications.
Source: sheknows.com[/caption]
One specialist studied over 4,000 boys and girls between 1997 and 2000, searching for the signs of labor complications. Only 24% of baby girls presented complications at birth, compared to 29% of baby boys.
6% of boys needed a Caesarian section, while only 4% of girls did. 8% of boys required foreceps, compared to only 6% of girls. 15% of boys needed ventouse assistance, but only 14% of girls did.
This doesn't mean that giving birth to a boy GUARANTES more complications, but baby boys are slightly more likely to cause complications.