Did you know that ancient Greek mothers believed the only way to go into labor was to ask their friends to grab their limbs and shake the baby loose? Ancient Spanish mothers used to leave offerings of honey and sweet treats to keep evil fairies away from their birthing rooms. In Ancient China, many mothers refused to give birth without a basket of snakes in the room.
All that to say, our beliefs and understanding about pregnancy have changed significantly over the past several centuries. Even so, many pregnancy myths have persisted.
Have you been stressing over misinformation?
If you want an easy, stress-free pregnancy, the first step is to do some myth-busting. We've created this list to help moms-to-be debunk the most common misconceptions during pregnancy. The list includes eight of the most pervasive (but unfounded) myths about getting pregnant, carrying a baby, and giving birth.
Read on to separate misconceptions from reality so you can focus on welcoming your sweet new baby.
Pregnancy Myth #1: You're Eating for Two
You'll probably sit down for a celebratory dinner after announcing your pregnancy. As you contemplate dessert, someone will inevitably say, "Order what you want! You're eating for two!"
While it's true that your nutritional choices will impact your baby, you don't need to eat significantly more during pregnancy. Instead, moms-to-be should focus on boosting the nutritional content of their food. In other words, adding dessert is a delicious way to celebrate, but those empty cake calories won't positively impact your baby's development.
During your first trimester, you don't need any additional calories. By the second trimester, your doctor may ask you to increase your intake by about 340 calories. By the third trimester, you may add about 110 more to that number.
Pregnancy Myth #2: Kick Your Cat Out
There is a myth that jealous cats will smother your baby. This is patently untrue. While furry friends may be curious about your newborn, they're unlikely to harm them in any way.
You might have also heard myths about a disease called toxoplasmosis. This is a real parasite that lives in many mammals, but the only place it can reproduce is in a feline's body.
About one-third of all humans already have toxoplasmosis, and few experience any symptoms or side effects. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous for unborn babies. Your cat can stay, but ask a spouse or friend to clean the litter box until the baby arrives.
Pregnancy Myth #3: Heartburn Heralds a Hairy Baby
One of the most pervasive myths about pregnancy is that heartburn means you can expect a baby with a full head of hair. While this might be true for some women, it's not statistically accurate. Heartburn is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms, and if there were a correlation, the majority of babies would be born with thick, full heads of hair.
Pregnancy Myth #4: Keep Your Hair Natural
Pregnancy and motherhood are challenging, and many new moms like to relax with self-care routines, like getting their hair done. You might have heard that it's unsafe to dye your hair during pregnancy. While some doctors suggest waiting until the second trimester, it is generally safe to apply hair color while pregnant.
With that said, pregnant women are very sensitive to smells, especially during the first trimester. If the chemical scent of hair dye makes you heave, it's wise to avoid it until your stomach can handle it again.
Pregnancy Myth #5: Skip Leg Day
It makes sense that there's a cultural association between pregnancy and weight gain. Nearly all women gain some weight as they carry another human being under their hearts. With that in mind, there's no reason to skip or avoid exercise during pregnancy.
Most medical professionals suggest that moving during pregnancy is healthier for moms and babies alike. While serious powerlifters or triathletes may have to alter their routine as their body changes, there's no reason to cancel your gym membership. There is no link between moderate exercise and miscarriage.
Pregnancy Myth #6: It's Okay to Hit the Hot Tub
You're entering your second trimester, and your muscles and joints are killing you. You've heard folks suggest you take a hot tub dip to safely relax your muscles. Unfortunately, this is bad advice.
Remember, your body temperature is also the temperature in your womb. If your baby gets too hot, you may experience complications. Instead of soaking in a hot tub, take a warm bath or invest in a heating pad.
Pregnancy Myth #7: You Must Abstain in the Bedroom
There is a myth that intercourse during pregnancy can harm your baby. Should you abstain now that you're pregnant?
We're happy to tell you this myth is false.
Healthy pregnant women can safely engage in amorous congress during all three trimesters of pregnancy. Be aware that it may get trickier as your body grows. Instead of passing on pleasure, use it as an opportunity to get creative and put those pregnancy pillows to good use.
Pregnancy Myth #8: There Are Ways to Prevent Allergies
Recent myths suggest that if pregnant women avoid eating foods on the list of top allergens, their babies are less likely to experience food allergies. Research tells us there is no link between your diet and your baby's food intolerances during childhood. That's good news for moms who are craving peanut butter ice cream!
With that said, there are several foods you should avoid during pregnancy to keep your baby safe.
Busting Common Pregnancy Myths
Your body is changing, and that can be scary. The best way to fight the fear is to do your research and understand what's really happening as your baby grows and develops. Once you've learned the difference between reality and these common pregnancy myths, you can confidently move forward.
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