Information overload is real and can make it tough to implement safe practices during pregnancy. While it’s natural to ask friends and family for baby bump advice, it’s important to verify the information with your OB/GYN, primary care provider or midwife. Keep reading for clarification on some of the most common pregnancy misconceptions.
The Truth Behind Seven Pregnancy Myths
- You’re Eating for Two
Although we’d love for this to be true, considering some women get pregnancy cravings, you really only need an extra 200-300 calories per day while pregnant. Overeating can cause nausea, lead to longer labor, and increase risk of birth complications. It’s okay to give into some cravings, but be careful not to binge eat. The additional 300 calories can be satisfied with a cup of yogurt and berries or a small turkey sandwich. - You Can’t Consume Caffeine
Everything in moderation. You can still enjoy a soul-warming cup of coffee from Starbucks on the way to work, but limit yourself to 200mg of caffeine per day — so about one and a half, eight ounce cups. - What Mom Eats During Pregnancy Influences Baby’s Taste Buds
There’s no studies to back up this claim. The only thing you should be worrying about when it comes to your baby’s palate, is giving it the right nutrients through the foods you eat and prenatal vitamins you take. - Morning Sickness Only Happens in the Morning
Despite the name, only two percent of pregnant women experience morning sickness in the morning. These nausea spells usually strike in the fourth week and can last until early in the second trimester. - Exercising Can Hurt the Baby
Engaging in moderate exercise for 20 to 30 minutes per day, four or five times per week during a normal pregnancy is actually really healthy for mom and baby. Yoga and light cardio are highly recommended because these aerobic exercises increase your heart rate just enough to initiate healthy blood flow throughout the body, making sure the baby gets the nutrients it needs. - Having Sex is Dangerous for the Baby
There’s no harm to your bundle of joy during intercourse with women who are having a normal pregnancy. Some positions may be more comfortable than others now, so be patient with your partner as they figure out what works best for you both. - There are Ways to Tell the Sex of the Baby
Rather than having an ultrasound, some parents think there are clues to knowing whether they’re having a boy or girl. When the fetus has a high heart rate, the assumption is they’re having a boy, but in reality, that just means the baby’s moving around a lot. Soon-to-be parents also think the shape of mom’s belly is a giveaway whether it’s more oval or round, but there’s no evidence to support this claim.
Still Need a Q&A Session?
If you have any questions or concerns about a certain myth you’ve heard online or through the grapevine, feel free to contact Adriatica Women’s Health by clicking here. For more information, follow the discussion around women’s health on social media.