Pregnancy is a trying time for any woman. From our mothers telling us to avoid this and that, friends giving us their two cents on what we should or should not do and strangers adding random opinions to the list, getting through pregnancy without being overwhelmed with all of these opinions can be challenging.
While some opinions your doctor will confirm as silly myths you should ignore, other myths can be dangerous to you or your baby and the following are the top ten dangerous myths you have to dismiss right now.
1.You can Eat what you Want
Doctors agree that pregnant women do need to eat a bit more than those who are not pregnant, however, this should only result in an addition of 300 calories to their diet and not a thousand or more.
2. Cocoa Butter Will Prevent Stretch Marks
This is false, in fact, cocoa butter has been found to make our skin even more sensitive and for some women, it can even cause an allergic reaction which is something to avoid when pregnant.
3. You cannot Touch your Cat
While petting you cat during your pregnancy is completely fine, you should not clean your cat’s litter box during this time because of “the risk of toxoplasmosis from the dookies.”
4. You can Take Hot Baths to Relax
Really hot baths when you are pregnant should be avoided, as well as things like saunas and Jacuzzis because they will raise your body temperature “over 102 degrees” which is not good for your baby.
5. Don’t Snack throughout the Day
Eating three meals a day is good but when you are pregnant it is better to eat five to six small meals throughout the day, “from various food groups as they will keep your blood sugar in a constant range, which is healthy for you and your baby.”
6. A Big Baby is a Healthy Baby
“The average baby weighs about 7.5 lbs,” and bigger babies are more at risk to suffer from obesity and diabetes when they grow older.
7. A Small Baby is a Healthy Baby
While a big baby has its disadvantages, a small baby also comes with a number of risks as the latter can suffer from “serious health problems” as a toddler and an adult compared to a baby with normal weight.
8. Stop Working Out
Staying active while pregnant is so important to prepare yourself for birth and to be at your healthiest for your baby during this time and although you should avoid high intensity workouts, you should continue to workout throughout the nine months.
9. One Drink Won’t Hurt the Baby
Some people allow themselves a sip of wine while others abstain completely and while much of this myth depends on the mother in question, studies have shown that “drinking during pregnancy comes with an increased risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).”
10. Smoking Won’t Affect the Baby’s Health
Some women smoke during their first pregnancy and when they see that their baby is fine, they think they can get away with smoking during their second pregnancy but studies have shown the serious health risks that smoking can cause to the baby, so even if the health issues are not evident, abstaining from smoking during this time is highly recommended by medical experts all over the world.