We’ve all encountered myths about pregnancy that seem like they must be true. From the morning sickness not only being in the morning to a variety of other truths, you never know what you’re going to hear. Just because you hear something often, does not mean it is the truth. Your pregnancy is a time to trust the experts so that you can go into it feeling confident and correct.
Top Myths About Pregnancy, Debunked
You are already feeling enough stress and anxiety going into a pregnancy. You do not need to add on trying to figure out if something is true about your pregnancy or not. At Green Valley OB/GYN, we are here to debunk the myths about pregnancy, so you do not have to worry about it.
Myth 1: There are ways to tell the gender of the baby, separate from the ultrasound.
People often believe that there are wive’s tales that give you the chance to confirm the gender of your baby before the ultrasound can even determine it. These ideas present themselves in a variety of ways. Pregnancy Birth & Baby describes the position that the baby is in in the womb, how active the baby is in the womb, and even the direction a ring moves if you hold it over the mother’s uterus, all as myths people have created about this idea.
The truth is, not even an ultrasound is 100% effective at telling the gender of your baby. Some people make it a complete surprise and simply wait until the birth to find out the baby’s gender. Often, myths about pregnancy come from stories people have heard over time.
Myth 2: Morning sickness only occurs in the morning.
Now, this is one of the myths about pregnancy that we wish was true. Morning sickness, by the name, would seem to anyone to be a sickness derived from pregnancy that only occurs in the early hours of the day. However, women who are pregnant can experience nausea anytime during the day throughout pregnancy. As each pregnancy is unique, some may simply experience it in the morning, but that is not always and rarely the case.
Myth 3: You have to eat for two people.
Now, this is one of the important myths about pregnancy to keep in mind for your health and diet. When pregnant, you may think that it is necessary to eat for two people to bring enough nutrients in for your and a growing baby. However, during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, your baby is able to grow based on the nutrient-dense diet you provide to yourself.
Only in the third trimester do you have to increase your calorie intake more substantially, but even then it is not an entire other human’s worth of food. Your diet is a great thing to discuss with your doctor, especially if you have questions about what is best to eat for your baby’s growth and development.
Myth 4: Weird cravings will definitely happen.
You may have heard from pregnant friends or relatives that they had a sudden and unexpected craving during their pregnancy. This may or may not happen, but it is not something you have to fully expect. Similarly to diet, there does not have to be dramatic changes just because you are pregnant. Sure you may find yourself wanting a specific sweet treat or something salty, but you do not have to expect out-of-the-blue combinations to suddenly pop into your head.
Myth 5: You should avoid cats when pregnant.
You may have never expected myths about pregnancy to include your household pet. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, there is no reason to worry about your cat being present during your pregnancy. One thing to understand is that cat feces can contain the infection toxoplasmosis.
However, this is usually found in cats that spend a lot of time outside hunting. Realistically, the only thing a pregnant woman needs to avoid is the cleaning of the litter box. That is the best way to stay away from cat feces.
Myths about pregnancy can seem normal enough that people will always believe them. However, getting the correct information from a medical professional or other reliable sources can keep you from worrying about unnecessary things. We know there is tons of information available online and sorting through it can be a huge task of its own. Do you have questions about other pregnancy myths you have heard? Our doctors at Green Valley OB/GYN are here to answer them and provide any necessary resources you may need. Check out our website or give us a call at (336) 378-1110.