During this time, there are many pregnancy myths circulating in the community and not a few people believe that these myths are true. Whereas, a lot ofthe myth which not proven true, you know. Come on, know what the myths are pregnancy which often poisons the mind pregnant mother!
After you are declared pregnant, usually people around you start giving advice not to consume certain foods or drinks and avoid this and that activity.
With so much advice, ranging from the sensible to the a bit odd, it can be difficult to decide which advice is just a myth and which information has been scientifically proven.
Myths About Pregnancy and the Real Facts
When you hear various information related to pregnancy, don't just believe it and live it. Especially if the information sounds unreasonable and the source is not clear.
The following are various pregnancy myths that are widely circulated in the community, along with medical explanations:
1. No sex when pregnant
Many people say that pregnant women should not have sex. This is because there is an assumption that having sex during pregnancy can hurt the fetus and potentially cause miscarriage.
This information is just a myth. During a healthy and normal pregnancy, you can still have sex with your partner.
The fetus in the womb is fully protected by the amniotic sac and fluid, strong uterine muscles, and thick mucus in the cervix. Therefore, miscarriage has nothing to do with sexual activity. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus is not developing properly.
2. Pregnant women should not exercise
This is also a pregnancy myth that is widely circulated among pregnant women. However, this is not true. When you are pregnant, you can keep exercising. how come. In fact, this activity is highly recommended and has many benefits for the health of pregnant women and fetuses. you know!
But with a note, the exercise that pregnant women do should not be too heavy, let alone to make dehydration and fatigue. Exercising for 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a week can provide good benefits for you and the fetus. Some good exercise options for pregnant women include pregnancy exercise, Kegel exercises, swimming, walking, to yoga and Pilates for pregnant women.
3. The shape of the belly of a pregnant woman indicates the sex of the fetus
Maybe you often hear the assumption that a stomach that looks elevated is a sign of a baby girl. On the other hand, a drooping belly is a sign of a boy.
Although guessing the gender of a child is fun, the notion that the shape of the stomach indicates the child's gender is just a myth.
In fact, the shape and height of the abdomen during pregnancy depends on the strength of the abdominal muscles and the position of the fetus in the womb. So, there is no correlation between the shape of the stomach and gender, yes.
The way to find out the sex of the fetus can only be done through ultrasound of pregnancy at 18 to 20 weeks or through genetic testing. This check can be done when you do a routine pregnancy check at the obstetrician.
4. Pregnant women must mwill with twice the portion
You may have heard that pregnant women should eat two servings of food, namely for themselves and for the fetus in the womb. It's true that pregnant women need more nutrients and calories, but that doesn't mean you have to eat twice as much food as usual.
If you are of normal weight, you only need an extra 300 calories per day. This intake is sufficient to support the growth of your fetus. So, there is no need to increase the portion of eating too much to meet the nutritional needs during pregnancy.
5. Can't drink coffee during pregnancy
For you coffee lovers, this prohibition is certainly torturous. Actually, consuming coffee while pregnant is not prohibited, how come. As long as you know the limits.
Please note that consuming too much caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight babies. you know! Therefore, when pregnant, do not consume more than 200 mg of caffeine per day. This amount of caffeine is equivalent to about one cup of instant coffee or 3 cups of tea.
6. No hair coloring during pregnancy
Many say that pregnant women should not dye their hair. Turns out, this assumption is wrong. you know. Coloring your hair isn't bad for you or your baby, as long as it's done right.
If you want to dye your hair, you should avoid coloring your hair during the first trimester. Wait until your pregnancy enters the second trimester. You can also replace chemical hair dye with henna or avoid dyes that contain a strong ammonia smell.
7. Pregnant women should stay away from cats
Maybe you often hear that pregnant women are forbidden to keep cats because it can increase the risk of getting toxoplasmosis. For pregnant women who love cats and have cat pets at home, this can certainly make them restless.
But don't worry, you can still play with your favorite cat, how come. However, you have to be careful when cleaning the dirt. It's best to have someone else clean it and don't touch the dirt or litter box.
From now on, be more careful in addressing the various pregnancy myths. Do not immediately believe what other people say that goes against the doctor's advice. If there are pregnancy myths that confuse you, try discussing it with your obstetrician when you undergo a pregnancy test.