As soon as you find out you are pregnant, your whole world will change in an instant. You may find yourself scared, excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. You’ve heard lots of things about pregnancy, but be careful some of the most common beliefs are actually myths and aren’t actually true.
Here is a list of 9 Common Myths During Pregnancy:
#1 Now You Are Eating for Two
You may have lots of cravings during pregnancy and feel extra hungry. You probably have also heard people say things like, “you’re eating for two now.” While it’s true you will need to take in some additional calories, in actuality, pregnant women only need about 300 extra calories a day. So make sure not to overdo the second helpings and late night snacks to quench those cravings. Find some yummy and healthy options for your meals, which leads us into myth #2.
#2 Eat Three Healthy Meals a Day
We know that being as healthy as possible is the best thing for the baby as well as mommy-to-be and so it sounds like eating three healthy meals a day would make sense. In truth, it’s better to have between 6-7 smaller meals throughout the day. Not only does this help to keep blood sugar levels consistent throughout the day but as your baby grows bigger and your organs begin to have less room, smaller meals throughout the day will make you feel more comfortable. More frequent, smaller meals also reduced the urge of overindulging during meals because of being so hungry at one time.
#3 Lifting Your Hands Above Your Head Causes the Baby’s Umbilical Cord to Wrap Around His Neck
Your movements will not cause the cord to wrap around the baby’s neck when he or she is born. It is the baby’s motion and activity that may cause this to happen and not something that you have done wrong. So raise the roof and feel free to reach as high as you want!
#4 Quit the Gym for the Next Few Months
Many people believe that once you are pregnant it is time to take it easy and stop all exercising and relax the body. Actually, low impact exercise is good for both the baby and mommy. However always consult your doctors before beginning any new work out routines.
#5 Cocoa Butter Can Help Prevent Stretch Marks
Lathering up on cocoa butter will make you smell yummy but is not actually proven to prevent stretch marks. On the other hand, it can actually cause your skin to be more sensitive.
#6 Say so long to sushi!
It is true that some seafood options need to be avoided while pregnant due to the high levels of mercury content such as mackerel, shark, tilefish and swordfish. It’s also important to eat tuna in moderation instead of having a daily tuna melt. Fish with lower levels of mercury are good options include salmon, shrimp, and tilapia and not only taste great but are a great source of lean protein during pregnancy.
#7 You Can Tell the Gender of the Baby by the Heart Rate
For everyone paying careful attention to the heart rate numbers on the ultrasound screen in hopes of discovering if it’s a boy or girl, we are sorry, this just isn’t true. It’s also a myth that having severe heartburn means that your baby is going to be born with lots of hair as the two have no correlation.
#8 Manicures and Hair Dying Are Out During Pregnancy
After 1980, companies reformulated their hair dye to eliminate any ingredients that may have caused concern. Doctors still commonly recommend not taking a risk in the first trimester ensuring that all the baby’s organs have been formed before getting your hair dyed just as a precaution. After that, you can say goodbye to those roots!
Pregnancy doesn’t mean you have to give up all that pampering for your nails either. You would need to be exposed to the manicure product for a very long time to be at any risk. So, as long as you are on the receiving end of a mani and not the one giving them all day, there is no need for you to stop them during pregnancy.
#9 No Baths or Hot Tubs During Pregnancy
All you want to do after a long day on your feet is to relax in a nice hot bath but you have heard over and over again, no hot tubs and no hot baths. The truth is, you still can enjoy soaking in a hot bath however you need to make sure that the bath water is not more than 100 degrees F. A good rule of thumb is if you need to slowly ease your foot into the water because of its temperature, then it’s too hot. Be careful not to stay in the tub more than an hour as it increases your chance for infection.
Sorry, hot tubs are still a no no during pregnancy because you become overheated which causes a lack of blood flow causing serious risks for the baby. Baths under 100 degrees F are a safer alternative because the bath temperature cools over time reducing the risk of overheating. So opt for a hot, relaxing bath instead and make sure to use the bath mat to prevent slipping and falls!
