Pregnancy and Birth Myths and Facts

 Becoming a parent is a life changing experience, and it can sometimes feel like you need a degree in parenthood to get to grips with all the new information you have to take on board as you prepare for your new arrival.  From old wives tales to new medical research, many mums-to-be find themselves overloaded with information and advice about what they shouldn’t and shouldn’t do during pregnancy and birth, and it can be hard to know exactly which advice to follow and which to take with a pinch of salt!  

But obviously it is important to follow the right advice both for your health and that of your unborn baby.  Maternity expert Dr Gwyneth Lewis, sorts the myths from the facts to help you make the right choices to ensure your pregnancy and birth go as smoothly as possible giving your baby the best start in life.

You shouldn’t lift anything mildly heavy

True - You should not do any heavy lifting while you are pregnant. The pregnancy hormone relaxing makes your ligaments more pliable, so they are more prone to strains. If you have to lift something, keep your back straight and bend your hips and knees. When you go shopping, divide what you buy into two equal loads and carry one bag in each hand.

You can’t eat fish during pregnancy

False – Fish is good for your health and therefore good for your growing baby so try to eat at least two portions a week, including one portion of oily fish.  It is safe to eat most types of fish while pregnant, however you should avoid eating any swordfish and marlin and make sure you limit the amount of tuna you eat to no more than two tuna steaks a week.  This is because of the levels of mercury in these fish, which can, at high levels, harm a baby's developing nervous system.
You should also avoid eating raw shellfish when you are pregnant.  This is purely because there is a high risk of food poisoning which can be particularly unpleasant when you're pregnant. 

You can’t exercise while you’re pregnant

False – It is actually recommended that you carry on doing some exercise, providing that you're not undertaking a strenuous new regime. However, you should check with your GP, or midwife, that exercising won't pose a risk for your specific medical situation.

 Pregnant women need to take extra folic acid during pregnancy

True – Folic acid is a B vitamin that is vital during pregnancy to prevent conditions such as spina bifida.  It can be found in a variety of foods including green vegetables and brown rice, however it is recommended that pregnant women supplement their diet with 400mg of folic acid up to week 12 of pregnancy. Ideally you should start taking Folic acid as soon as you decide you want a baby so that you are taking it before you actually become pregnant.

You should eat for two while pregnant

False – Most pregnant women require between 1,800 and 2,100 calories a day – the same as non-pregnant women.  However, in the last three months of pregnancy you need around an extra 200 calories a day

Source: Department Of Health

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