Pregnancy is a journey filled with joy, happiness, anticipation, excitement, and most importantly confusion. As we know, becoming parents is not an easy way to make out from such a lengthy process, as expectant parents are bombarded with multiple opinions and advice from many people. Every advice or opinion can not be true as many of them are based on misconceptions and myths. These pregnancy misconceptions or myths can lead to unnecessary confusion or stress among expectant parents. Thus, it is important to understand that every suggestion or advice is not true and fruitful.
In this blog, we’ll debunk some of the most common pregnancy myths, offering you the facts you need for a smoother, healthier pregnancy experience.
Myth #1: You’re Eating for Two
Fact: Yes, your nutritional needs indeed increase in your pregnancy, but you don’t have to eat for two. The calorie requirement of the body increases around 300-500 extra calories per day, depending on the stage of pregnancy. If you are pregnant, it doesn’t mean that you have to eat for two or you need to double your food intake. Thus, you need to have your balanced diet full of nutrition while having plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, fruits, and whole grains for supporting both your baby’s development and health.
Myth #2: You Can’t Exercise During Pregnancy
Fact: Exercise during pregnancy is not only effective and safe for most of people but is quite beneficial as well. It helps you in managing your weight, improves sleep, increases energy levels, reduces the risk of gestational diabetes, and increases overall energy levels and improvement in sleep. It is important for you to consult your healthcare provider before continuing or starting an exercise routine. However, you can go with normal activities such as walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga, which are great options.
The key is to listen to your body and avoid overly strenuous activities.
Myth #3: Carrying High or Low Predicts Your Baby’s Gender
Fact: one of the most common old wives tales is that the way you carry your baby determines or denotes the gender of a baby, whether you are carrying a girl or a boy. The fact is that the way you carry your baby denotes the position of your uterus and the strength of abdominal muscles. This leads to the position of your baby, whether you are carrying it high or low. It does not provide any scientific evidence that shows that the way you carry your child can predict the gender of the child. The only way that is most reliable for determining the gender of the baby is through genetic testing or ultrasound.
Myth #4: Heartburn Means Your Baby Will Have a Lot of Hair
Fact: another myth encountered with pregnancy is that if you are experiencing heartburn during your pregnancy period, you will have a child, a head full of hair. However, heartburn is quite common and takes place during the third trimester of pregnancy due to the change in hormones. It happens generally due to relaxation of muscles in the digestive system, not because of any baby’s hair growth.
There is no scientific evidence linking heartburn to hair growth. Your baby’s hair (or lack thereof) is determined by genetics, not your digestive issues.
Myth #5: You Can’t Dye Your Hair While Pregnant
Fact: another misconception followed during pregnancy is that they are advised they avoid hair dye as fear of harmful chemicals is normal. Though, you should be cautious if you are already allergic to it, but modern hair dye formulations are considered safe during pregnancy. Moreover, if you are stressed about chemical exposure, you should consider using ammonia-free dyes. The best thing you can do is always consult your doctor or dermatologist before going for any hair dye, but you should not panic about a routine hair colour appointment.
Myth #6: You Can’t Travel When Pregnant
Fact: travelling is not banned if you are pregnant as it is completely safe, especially if you are in your second trimester, as the risk of complications is low. If you are feeling healthy and don’t have any complications in your pregnancy, you can easily go for a road trip or flying as you don’t have any reason not to go on any vacation or family trips. However, if your doctor has recommended you not to travel due to any pregnancy-related complications, you should follow their guidance. Always remember to stay hydrated, avoid long periods of sitting and stretch your legs regularly as it helps in reducing the risk of blood clots.
Myth #7: You Should Avoid All Caffeine
Fact: having high intake of caffeine during your pregnancy could lead to negative effects, so it is important for you to have its consumption in a moderate level. This proves to be safe for pregnant women, if taken in a moderate level. As per the recommendation of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), caffeine should be limited to 200-300 milligrams for pregnant women each day, which is equivalent to 12 ounces of coffee. You should always keep in mind that caffeine is found in more items other than just coffee, such as tea, chocolate, and soda. Be sure and mindful of your daily intake so that it won’t influence your pregnancy largely.
Myth #8: Morning Sickness Only Happens in the Morning
Fact: morning sickness is common among pregnant women as it mainly refers to the situation of nausea and vomiting which generally happens during the first trimester. Though the myth needs to be broken down as morning sickness is not limited to morning as its name suggests, but it could occur anytime, whether it is day or night, and lasts for several weeks. The duration and severity of morning sickness vary from woman to woman, as some might experience mild symptoms while others might need to deal with intense nausea. The good news is that morning sickness fades with the passing time of pregnancy as pregnancy progresses.
Myth #9: If You Have a Girl, You’ll Be More Moody
Fact: your mood doesn’t project whether you are carrying a girl or boy, so the belief that you are moodier or more emotional if you are carrying a girl due to female hormones is not true. The truth is that your mood is based on the hormonal fluctuations that occur during pregnancy and not a direct impact on the baby’s sex. Your pregnancy hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone, fluctuated during pregnancy and caused mood swings. So whether you are carrying a girl or a boy, the reaction of hormones is the same and the gender of the baby are not responsible for any emotional turmoil.
Myth #10: You Can’t Have Sex During Pregnancy
Fact: For most pregnant women, it’s perfectly safe to have sex during pregnancy as long as there are no complications or medical conditions that advise against it. In fact, sex during pregnancy can be a great way for partners to stay connected. Of course, if you’re feeling uncomfortable, experiencing bleeding, or have been advised by your healthcare provider to avoid sex, always follow their instructions.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is filled with a lot of unknowns, and myths can easily cause unnecessary worry or confusion. While it’s essential to seek reliable information from your healthcare provider, it’s equally important to be cautious about where you get your advice. By debunking these common pregnancy myths, we hope to give expectant parents the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions for a healthier, happier pregnancy.
If you’re ever in doubt, always consult your doctor or midwife. They’re there to guide you through your pregnancy and help separate the facts from the fiction. Enjoy the journey – and don’t be afraid to laugh off some of those silly myths along the way!