The upcoming solar eclipse on August 21st has the entire world talking. Some of the talk I'm seeing might be causing useless concern. I've been looking into the myth that a solar eclipse can be dangerous to pregnant mothers and their unborn babies. Is there any truth to any of it?

According to the internet and some cultures, during a solar eclipse, pregnant women shouldn't -

  • Use any sharp object such as a knife, scissors or a needle.
  • Eat anything for the duration of the eclipse.
  • Take a bath after the eclipse is over.
  • Cover all windows with newspaper or thick curtains so that no rays of the eclipse enter the home.

These are just a small handful of myths you'll find about solar eclipses and pregnant women. But, are they true?

According to trib.com this myth is related to the belief that a solar eclipse produces harmful ultraviolet rays. I mean, we can go blind if we stare at an eclipse, so there's got to be something bad going on, right?

The sun does emit harmful UVs, but the Earth's magnetosphere protects us from the most harmful of these rays. We all know that too much UV exposure is not good for us and causes sunburn, and puts us at risk for developing skin cancer. However, the upcoming solar eclipse will do nothing to magnify any of this.

"There are some superstitions that an eclipse can cause deformities such as a cleft lip or unsightly birthmarks, but the scientific evidence does not support this belief.

If you or your family are concerned about the effects of an eclipse, there is no harm in following the customs. After all, it is just for a few hours and if it offers you and your family peace of mind, it is probably worth it."

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