Don’t let these common myths stir unease during your pregnancy
Being pregnant can be tough. Your belly is growing at an alarming rate, you may feel sick to your stomach for no apparent reason, and you’re experiencing so many changes that you often can’t keep track of them. To make matters worse, there is so much information out there that it is hard to determine what’s true, false, and what you’re actually feeling when you experience new changes—especially if you attempt to Google your symptoms. That’s where Moms on Top comes in. We’re here to help you get the information you need to have a safe and confident pregnancy.
Still, even with proper childbirth education, many expectant mothers hear elaborated tales during their pregnancy that provoke worry. And it makes sense—sometimes, even if we know that something sounds ludicrous, we can’t help but wonder about the truth of the statement; especially when it pertains to the baby growing inside of us.
Take a deep breath and have no fear! Here are seven pregnancy myths that you can rest assured will not affect the development, labor, or birth of your healthy, happy baby:
“Avoid exercise while pregnant”
While you may not be able to keep the same level of rock star fitness you were maintaining before being pregnant, exercising while pregnant is healthy and safe for both you and your baby. In fact, a recent study revealed that women who exercised at least three times per week during pregnancy were much less likely to deliver macrocosmic babies (babies with a birth weight above nine pounds) and were less likely to experience complications during labor and delivery.
Furthermore, maintaining a healthy fitness routine throughout pregnancy is also known to help new mothers “bounce back” more quickly to their normal routines post-delivery.
“Stress will harm the baby”
While excess stress isn’t good for the body or baby, a moderate amount can be beneficial—and should be expected! The important thing to remember is that everyone experiences stress, and when you’re pregnant, it’s natural to experience heightened emotions (thanks to our elevated hormones!).
Try to ride the wave as best as you can. If you are feeling that your stress levels are too much to handle, enlist a support system. Confide in your partner, parent, a pregnant friend, your midwife, or a trusted childbirth educator. Oftentimes, your support system (and talking through your emotions with them) is just the medicine you need for a more relaxed and comfortable outlook during pregnancy.
“Avoid seafood”
Let me start by acknowledging that there definitely are some seafood products that you SHOULD avoid while pregnant. The reason for this is due to the mercury levels and bacteria exposure that can be present in certain types of seafood. Some fish and seafood products to avoid include:
- Swordfish
- Raw shellfish
- Mackerel
- Smoked seafood such as lox
- Tilefish
- And a number of fish varieties used in sushi
With that being said, there are also certain fish products that are beneficial to the growth and development of your baby, as they provide key vitamins and nutrients. It is advised that pregnant women should limit their fish intake to 12 ounces per week of a selection of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, and catfish.
“Don’t fly while pregnant!”
The reality is that you can fly whenever you want, however, some airlines may not always let you do so—and some healthcare providers and midwives may not give you the green light either. If you do plan on flying during pregnancy, it is usually easiest during the second trimester (14-27 weeks) as morning sickness is most likely behind you and your energy levels should be up.
During the third trimester, some airlines may refuse to accommodate pregnant women out of fear of premature labor. And while this may seem unfair, if you think about it, you probably would not enjoy going into labor miles away from home—and miles up into the air!
“You should be eating for two”
You may hear this a lot, but developing babies actually only require an extra intake of 300 calories per day. Sure, you may often have an appetite fit for two, but an excess food intake isn’t necessary if you don’t feel the need for it. Expectant mothers will not harm the baby by skipping one lunch or dinner. Although it is extremely important to maintain a healthy, proper, and balanced diet throughout your entire pregnancy, it is ok to listen to your body when it’s telling you that you are full, satisfied, or too nauseous to eat.
“You should sleep on your left side”
If you’ve been pregnant before, you know that sleeping can sometimes be challenging. You’ve probably heard all sorts of ideas about the best way to sleep, but really, you should be sleeping in any position that is most comfortable and safe for you and your baby. However, sleeping on one side (either left or right), is very likely to be most comfortable, as you can shift weight and use pillows to align your body correctly. Try to avoid sleeping flat on your back, as that places the weight of your uterus on your spine, back muscles, and major blood vessels, possibly decreasing blood flow around your body and to your baby. But, PLEASE DON’T STRESS if you wake up in the morning and find yourself on your back! Unless there is a medical need to lay on your side, getting sleep – any sleep – outweighs the position you sleep in.
“Do not dye your hair”
Highlighters and lowlighters rejoice! There is very little evidence that supports the hazardous toxicity of hair dye use during pregnancy. Still, dyes contain chemical substances, and even natural dyes contain synthetic chemicals that could potentially cause harm. Research is constantly being conducted to measure the effects of hair dye on a developing fetus.
If you do decide to color your hair while pregnant, take these precautions:
- Wait until your second trimester, after the development of your baby’s organs are complete
- Consider a process like streaking, highlighting, or frosting, in which the chemicals have much less contact with your scalp than an all-over color treatment
- If you choose to color your own hair, work in a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to the chemicals used in the coloring process
- Don’t leave the dye on any longer than necessary
Even with a few of the most common pregnancy myths debunked, it is normal that, with all of the changes and new experiences that you are constantly being exposed to, you will run into a few freak-outs and over-contemplated situations. Try to limit worrying about wives’ tales that just don’t hold enough truth. Take a deep breath, relax, and remember that seeking accurate information, and then making the best decisions (not perfect decisions, since those don’t really exist), will result in a physically and emotionally healthy pregnancy and birth.
A surefire way to be prepared for a healthy and confident labor and delivery is to be educated. At Moms on Top, I offer both in-person and online childbirth education courses to fit every expectant mother’s needs. Visit our website today to discover all of the ways we can work together to ensure a unique and wonderful childbirth experience for both you and your partner.
