Are you pregnant or hoping to become pregnant and wondering whether the things you’ve read and seen about pregnancy are true or just myths? Read on as we try to work out the facts and fiction behind common pregnancy misconceptions.
1. You’ll Be Eating For Two, i.e. Twice As Much
Fiction. You may need a few more calories at certain points in your pregnancy but you won’t literally be eating twice as much as you usually eat. Women usually need around 2000 calories a day whereas for pregnant women you will generally need around 200 calories per day extra in just the last three months. You may be surprised to learn that’s about the same as just two slices of wholemeal toast with margarine.
2. You’ll Probably Have Pregnancy Cravings
Fact. Pregnancy cravings seem to be a thing for most women. From cheese to stuffed vine leaves and chocolate, you’ll find all sorts of unusual foods and food combinations out there which can become the go-to snacks in pregnancy.
3. You’ll Definitely Get Morning Sickness – Pregnancy Misconceptions
Fiction. Some people (about one in four) don’t get so-called morning sickness at all! However, around 70% of women will get it mainly for the first trimester while some may suffer from an extreme version of morning sickness called Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Always consult a health professional if you think you are suffering from HG.
Though morning sickness should ease after the first 3 months, some women will still be a bit sick or off their food. Some mums-to-be may feel mildly nauseous all through their pregnancy, and only realise they were feeling like this after giving birth! Every pregnancy is different. Try dry food and also ginger to ease nausea.
4. Morning Sickness Is Only In The Morning – Pregnancy Myths
Fiction. Morning sickness can happen at any time of the day (or night) so it beats us why it’s called morning sickness. If you’re unlucky to suffer with morning sickness at all that is.
5. Your Teeth May Suffer During Pregnancy
Fact. This one is true. You may be more susceptible to gum disease during pregnancy because of changes in hormones. So make sure you take extra care of your teeth and use your free NHS dental treatment (remember your maternity exemption certificate lasts until your baby is 12 months old).
6. You Can’t Have Sex During Pregnancy – Pregnancy Misconceptions
Fiction. You usually can – unless you’ve been told there’s a medical reason why not (such as a low-lying placenta). Having sex won’t harm your baby – your baby’s perfectly safe in your womb. However, as your body changes and your hormones fluctuate, you may or may not feel like it. That’s perfectly normal too.
7. You Can’t Exercise – Pregnancy Myths
Fiction. You can definitely exercise but may need to take it easier than usual. If nothing else, try gentle walking, which is great for your mental and physical health. There are also loads of antenatal fitness classes out there for pregnant women, including pregnancy yoga and Pilates. Just always tell your fitness provider you’re expecting so they can adjust the class (and make it safe), including during the first trimester.
8. The Shape Of Your Belly Gives Away Whether It’s A Boy Or A Girl – Pregnancy Myths
Fiction. There are loads of myths about gender. Some people will still say they can tell if it’s a boy or a girl from the shape of the bump. If your bump is low, they’ll say boy, while if it’s higher up, they’ll say girl. Is it actually true? That’s for you to know and them to find out.
9. You Can’t Fly On A Plane – Pregnancy Myths
Fiction. You can still fly when you’re pregnant – depending on how you feel and what stage of pregnancy you’re at. If you do fly, keep yourself hydrated and move around regularly, particularly if you’re on a flight which lasts longer than four hours.
Many women choose not to fly in the first 12 weeks if they’re feeling nauseous, with many opting to wait until 4-6 months. However beyond 28 weeks (about 7 months) you will usually need a letter from your midwife or GP which states your due date – and confirms that you’re not at risk of complications.
Towards the end of your pregnancy when there’s more chance of you going into labour, some airlines may not let you fly at all. Also check restrictions from ferry companies who may not carry pregnant women beyond 28 or 32 weeks.
10. You’ll Be More Emotional
Fact (probably). Blame it on those hormones, general exhaustion and your body changing (you literally have another person growing inside you) but your emotions will probably be ramped up to a higher notch. It’s not surprising with all those physical changes happening.
11. You Might Accidentally Sneeze Out Your Baby – Myths About Pregnancy
Fiction. Not actually possible. Your cervix has to dilate to 10cm first.
12. Your Waters Will Break With A Bang In Public – Pregnancy Misconceptions
Fiction (usually). I bet you can count on less than the fingers of one hand the times you’ve seen this happen in public. And on the toes and fingers of both hands (and feet) the times you’ve seen it happen on s on films and TV! Your waters breaking can be a fairly undramatic trickle or a small or large gush – if they break at all before you go into labour. Make sure you follow NHS advice about what to do when your waters break and remember you’ll usually expect to go into labour within 24 hours of them breaking.
13. You’ll Give Birth In The Car Or Roadside – Misconceptions About Pregnancy
Fiction (usually). While this can happen, it’s relatively rare (hence why it makes the news). It’s more likely you’ll be in latent labour for several hours at home before you even think of making the trip to the hospital, or getting the birthing pool ready. Even then, labour can still take a long time – some people are in and out in a day, whereas others take longer to move through the stages into active labour.
14. My Friend/Grandma Said…Pregnancy Misconceptions
There are loads of myths and superstitions surrounding pregnancy, most of which have no scientific basis whatsoever! From glowing skin and shining hair to hair dye and whether you can stroke a cat, check out more pregnancy myths here.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
If You Found This Post Useful, You May Also Like:
16 Great Days Out You Can Enjoy With A Newborn Baby
18 Things You Believed About Pregnancy When You Watched Those Films
16 Simple Chores Around The House To Let Under Fives Help With
0 Comments