As a pregnant woman, you are expecting a healthy baby that will turn your life completely upside down. When you are pregnant, women are prone to hearing many old myths that have nothing to do with reality or your pregnancy. How can you determine which one of these pregnancy myths and facts are true or false? How can you distinguish between fact and fiction? Well, here are 5 of the most common pregnancy myths you should be aware of:
1. Eating for Two
While it is true that your baby gets food from your body, it is definitely not true that you need to eat two adult-sized portions. According to a study conducted by a group of specialists from the University of Virginia, a normal, healthy of normal weight needs around 300 grams of extra calories to feed her baby during pregnancy.
Eating too much during pregnancy will make you put on unnecessary weight. Also, you may not be able to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle if you are eating two meals at once.
2. Cocoa Butter Prevents Stretch Marks
This is nothing more than a myth. Although cocoa butter may not prevent stretch marks, it will keep skin moisturized and may be of some benefit in this regard. Using cocoa butter keeps the skin soft, but if someone is looking to avoid stretch marks after pregnancy, this is not a guaranteed method to do so.
3. No Flying During Pregnancy
This is another myth that is pure fantasy. Even though some airlines won’t let you onboard during the last trimester, this has nothing to do with flying. All they fear is that you might go into labor while flying, and you will force a quick landing. Most OB/GYNs allow travel, including flying, until 36 weeks of pregnancy.
4. Give up Coffee
Many women love coffee and depend on it in order to have a successful day, either at work or while staying at home. Unfortunately, they are advised to stop drinking coffee because it might affect their future newborn. However, this whole case against caffeine is not strong enough. Most OB/GYNs will recommend to continue caffeine intake, but in moderation.
5. Sleep on your Left Side
This is last piece of advice is actually not a myth. Sleeping on your left side allows increased blood flow from the placenta to the fetus which allows for increased oxygen and nutrients to the unborn baby. Whenever napping or going to bed at night, it is best to sleep on your left side. If expecting mothers are not used to this sleeping position at first, it will eventually become a nightly routine.
