If you are pregnant, you may have Googled, read, talked to friends and family, and received well-meaning advice from the people around you about the dos and don'ts when you're carrying a child. With new research and ever-changing health guidelines every now and then, you may feel a little confused. In this post, you will find the top 5 pregnancy myths, debunked.
Myth 1: You must stop drinking coffee
Someone may have told you to cut off your daily coffee intake when you're pregnant. The truth is, you can still have your coffee but really, you just need to limit your caffeine consumption. During pregnancy, doctors recommend keeping your caffeine intake to 200 milligrams or less. In other words, about one or two cups of coffee a day.
Myth 2: You have to stay away from cats
There is no need to give your feline friends away when you're pregnant. However, you will need to be extra careful of the disease called toxoplasmosis that causes harm to your unborn baby which can be contracted through a cat's stools.
Here are some ways to keep you and your baby safe if you have a cat:
- get someone else to clean the litter box daily
- keep your cat indoor
- stay away from stray cats
- do not feed your cat raw or undercooked meats and foods
- keep outdoor sandboxes covered
Myth 3: You cannot travel by air
Travelling by plane is safe for most pregnant women through 36 weeks, especially those who are low risk. Most airlines have travel limits if you're more than 36 weeks pregnant to reduce the risks of complications. But if you're on the high-risk side, it's best to avoid flying during pregnancy. And always check with your OBGYN before making any travel plans.
So when you do travel during pregnancy, do stay hydrated, wear a loose and comfortable outfit, get up to move every two hours, and stretch once in a while. And do keep your prenatal records at hand as well!
Myth 4: You have to eat for two
Most pregnant women might have heard numerous times that they should devour foods as they are eating for two. But research indicates there are connections between maternal eating habits and weight gain to the child's risk for obesity and chronic diseases in the future. In general, most pregnant women should only take about 350 to 450 extra calories per day. To put in perspective, it's a couple of extra healthy snacks such as fruits, a hard-boiled egg or berry smoothies.
Myth 5: You have to sleep on your back
Most women find sleeping on their side is the most comfortable during pregnancy as it helps to alleviate pressure and improve blood circulation. You might also want to get a maternity pillow too to help you get the right sleeping positions so you can get a good night's sleep.
