Let's set the record straight.
When it comes to pregnancy, there are an endless amount of myths floating around out there. From old wives' tales to well-meaning advice from friends and family, it can be challenging to distinguish between what is true and what is not. Misinformation can cause anxiety and unnecessary stress, which is why we’re here to debunk five of these common myths.
1. Myth: Morning Sickness Only Happens in the Morning
Reality: Due to the influx of hormones during pregnancy, morning sickness is a common pregnancy symptom for women. However, unlike its name, morning sickness can strike at any time of day or night (Can You Get Morning Sickness at Night?, 2022). Eating small, frequent meals and staying hydrated can help manage symptoms.
2. Myth: Pregnant Women Should Avoid Exercise
Reality: Exercise during pregnancy is often safe and beneficial. While high impact, intense workouts may not be recommended, there are many benefits to remaining active during pregnancy such as increasing your energy levels, improving your mood, promoting strength and muscle tone, and improving the quality of your sleep (Exercise During Pregnancy: Safety, Benefits & Guidelines, n.d.).
3. Myth: Heartburn Means Your Baby Will Have a Lot of Hair
Reality: It is a common old wives' tale that women who experience heartburn during pregnancy will have babies with a lot of hair. While there may be an association between the two variables, it is more likely that a woman's hormones are causing the baby's hair growth, not her heartburn (Mitchell, 2016).
4. Myth: You need to eat for two
Reality: You do not need to double your food intake during pregnancy because you are not eating for two adults. It is only recommended that you increase your calories by about 300-350, which isn’t a whole lot (Montoya, 2021). Shifting your focus to the kinds of foods you are eating as opposed to how many calories you’re taking in, will probably be more beneficial to you.
5. Myth: Sleeping on Your Back Is Dangerous
Reality: While it is recommended that pregnant women sleep on their side because it is safest for blood flow, there is no need to panic if you wake up on your back (Is Back Sleeping Harmful When Pregnant?, 2024). Simply adjust your position to your side. Using pillows can help keep you comfortable.
References:
Can You Get Morning Sickness at Night? (2022, July 1). Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/morning-sickness-at-night
Exercise During Pregnancy: Safety, Benefits & Guidelines. (n.d.). American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/exercise-during-pregnancy/
Is Back Sleeping Harmful When Pregnant? (2024, September 23). Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/exactly-how-bad-is-it-to-sleep-on-your-back-when-youre-pregnant
Mitchell, L. (2016, April 6). Heartburn and Infant Hair. University of Utah Health. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2016/04/heartburn-and-infant-hair
Montoya, M. (2021, January 14). Are Pregnant Women Really Eating for Two? Not Quite. UNM Health. https://unmhealth.org/stories/2021/01/eating-for-two.html
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