6 Myths About Pregnancy - Quality Of Life, Society

Pregnancy is a magical time full of miracles and transformations. In this regard, there are many myths. Some of them are just superstitions, others are presented as scientific facts. Relatives, girlfriends, acquaintances inform future parents about them, sometimes giving mutually exclusive, and sometimes just harmful advice

For quite a long time, it was believed that pregnant women were prohibited from physical activity, sex, dyeing and cutting their hair. Almost the whole life of the expectant mother in anticipation of the child consisted of prohibitions.

Today many myths have been dispelled, but …

Myth 1. Pregnant women should eat for two

One of the most common misconceptions. "The more a pregnant woman eats, the healthier her baby will be."

During the period of bearing a child, a woman's body does not need to increase the amount of food, but to increase the content of nutrients, therefore, special attention must be paid to the quality of food consumed. You need to eat often, in small portions.

Body weight is one of the most important indicators of the normal course of pregnancy, since on this basis one can suspect fluid retention in the body, which can be a sign of late pregnancy toxicosis.

In women expecting one child, weight gain during the entire pregnancy is normally about 12 kg. If a woman was underweight before pregnancy, then an increase of up to 16 kg is allowed. A good way to prevent overeating is by counting calories. A pregnant woman should get about 2100 kcal. You need to eat more protein (fatty fish, poultry) and less fast carbohydrate foods. It is worth limiting the use of smoked, salty, fatty, fried.

Myth 2. Physical activity is prohibited during pregnancy

Physical activity will not harm the expectant mother, of course, if there are no contraindications and subject to safety rules.

Proper physical activity can relieve some of the body discomforts that may occur during pregnancy.

Movement bonuses:

• mood improves, fitness contributes to the production of hormones of happiness and pleasure (serotonin and endorphin);
• provides an influx of vital energy;
• activities promote good digestion;
• improves muscle tone.

Any person who is engaged in fitness needs to remember first of all about safety and rules. And pregnant women need to be doubly careful and remember the basic principles of fitness.

Which physical activity is more suitable for pregnant women?

1. Swimming. Can reduce back discomfort, exercise body and heart.
2. Walking. Walking helps oxygenate your body.
3. Yoga for pregnant women. Helps to relax, relieve anxiety.
4. Pilates. There are complexes for pregnant women, which are performed on a rug and fitball.
5. Respiratory gymnastics. Develops the skills of correct breathing during childbirth.

It must be remembered that when choosing physical activity, it is better to consult a doctor.

Myth 3. Using creams will save you from stretch marks

Stretch marks (striae) appear in the places of greatest stretching of the skin in the second and third trimester and are a rupture of collagen and elastin fibers.

The main causes of stretch marks: genetic predisposition (usually in the daughter and mother, metabolic processes occur in approximately the same scenario), hormonal changes, age over 35, improper lifestyle, sudden weight gain, skin condition.

The use of creams and oils is one of the types of stretch marks prevention. By moisturizing the skin, they, of course, have a positive effect on the appearance, but it does not depend on this whether striae appear or not. It depends on the reasons for the formation of this pathology. Comprehensive prevention will help reduce the risk of stretch marks, but it will not be possible to eliminate it by 100%.

Myth 4. Sex during pregnancy can harm the baby

Significant changes are taking place in many areas of life, including intimate. In a normal pregnancy, it is very good if sexual intercourse continues throughout the pregnancy, until delivery.

Sex is not harmful to the baby and does not cause premature birth. Of course, if there are no contraindications, this issue should be discussed with your doctor. There are situations in which sexual rest is prescribed: habitual miscarriage, threat of termination of pregnancy, miscarriages in previous pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, low location of the placenta, bed rest during gestation.

Intimate life with a normal pregnancy has a positive effect on the woman's body, partially preparing it for childbirth. The psychological and emotional aspect of sex during pregnancy is also very important. The ability to maintain physical contact with a beloved man also has a positive effect on a woman's self-esteem.

But do not forget that if sexual intercourse is allowed, it is still important to observe some precautions, for example, during sex it is worth choosing a position in which the stomach is not squeezed; avoid the supine position after the 20th week.

Myth 5. You shouldn't sew, embroider or knit during pregnancy

This is not such an ancient myth - the Soviet period. "The threads are the umbilical cord, if you knit, the child will be wrapped with the umbilical cord." Needlework was considered philistinism, so they fought against it as best they could.

Needlework during pregnancy is not harmful, but, on the contrary, is useful, especially for women with "problem pregnancies."

The roots of this myth may also lie not in the needlework itself, but in the consequences. When a woman is keen on needlework, she moves less, which interferes with the flow of oxygen to the child. When doing needlework, you need to change the position of the body, do a light warm-up every 15–20 minutes.

Handicrafts in preparation for motherhood have ancient roots. In the tradition of many peoples, the period of pregnancy was accompanied by collective creativity. This activity helps reduce anxiety and a positive attitude towards communication with the child.

Myth 6. Pregnant women get stupid

In a sense, this is not a myth. Of course, a decrease in intelligence during pregnancy does not occur, but the changes that occur to a woman are very similar to this statement.

With the onset of pregnancy, hormonal and psychological changes begin, the work of the central nervous system is rebuilt. A woman develops an increased sensitivity to external events, lability of emotions, impulsivity. The psyche functions at the level of a three-year-old child - “emotional infantilization” occurs, but it is these mental features that allow a pregnant woman, without including awareness, to naturally communicate with a child in the early stages of his development.

Also, during pregnancy, there may be changes in memory, logic. This is due to the reorientation of the nervous system. During pregnancy, the right hemisphere begins to dominate. Sometimes pregnant women have a decrease in memory, absent-mindedness, and a decrease in interest in work.

Remember that pregnancy is not a disease, but the most wonderful time in a woman's life. Do not overshadow it by observing unnecessary prohibitions.

We cannot consider all the myths associated with pregnancy in this article, there are too many of them. If a pregnant woman has doubts, anxiety, then do not be shy, you need to ask questions to doctors and visit "mothers schools"