Pregnancy comes with plenty of advice, and not all of it is true! From things you may have heard from friends and family, it can be hard to tell fact from myth.
Myth #1: You’re Eating for Two
Your nutritional needs do change during pregnancy. However, you don’t need to eat twice as much. Instead, focus on eating a variety of foods and listening to your body cues.
Myth #2: You Should Avoid Exercise During Pregnancy
For many healthy pregnancies, staying active can be beneficial. Walking, stretching, swimming, prenatal yoga, and other pregnancy movements can be great. Talk with your provider about what’s right for you.
Myth #3: Your Water Always Breaks Before Labor Starts
Labor can begin in many different ways, and your water may not break until later. Contractions often begin before your membranes rupture, not the other way around. When your water does break, it may feel like a slow trickle rather than a dramatic gush.
Myth #4: Heartburn Means Your Baby Will Have Lots of Hair
This one has been passed around for many generations! While there has been some research showing an association between pregnancy hormones, heartburn, and newborn hair, heartburn isn’t a reliable way to predict how much hair your baby will have.
Myth #5: You Have to Give Birth Lying on Your Back
There are many positions you may do during labor and birth. Depending on yourself, you may feel more comfortable standing, squatting, kneeling, using a birth ball, getting on your hands and knees, or trying other positions.
The Treat? Feeling Knowledgeable and Supported
Your pregnancy journey is uniquely yours. Skip the internet myths and bring your questions to your provider for care tailored to you.
At The Birth Center, we want you to feel comfortable asking questions, learning about your options, and making decisions throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Do you have a pregnancy myth you’ve always wondered about? Ask us at your next visit!