Pregnancy Myths Debunked
This is a time in your life when everyone you meet and some you don't will give you advice. “Do this or don't do this” or “eat that or don't eat that”. I'm sure you'll hear these words more often when you're pregnant than at any other time in your life. Everyone from your friends and relatives to your colleagues and neighbours, even people on the street, have an opinion. When the advice contains facts you can use, it's good; but when it comprises myths and urban legends, that's the last thing you need at this time.
My advice is to not believe everything you're told. Take everything with the proverbial ‘pinch of salt'. In fact, in most cases, you'll need a whole bagful!
To help clear up the confusion, I'm going to address the most common pregnancy beliefs and misconceptions; some of the worst fears and concerns that have been around for generations. Your mother and grandmother were plagued by them and, doubtless, your children will be too. That's just the world we live in.
I'm going to help you differentiate fact from fiction, and age-old myths in the guise of ‘wisdom' from modern scientific facts and breakthroughs.
When you're pregnant, you're eating for two, so have double portions of everything.
Definitely not! While your appetite may increase significantly when you're pregnant, your actual calorific needs are only slightly increased. Your baby doesn't need many calories to develop. You need just 300 extra calories a day to meet your pregnancy needs. As long as you eat three square meals a day and three to five mini meals, as per the guidelines I've suggested, and your doctor is happy with your progress, you and your baby will be fine.
Eat lots of ghee or butter to enable the baby to ‘slip out' easily. A spoon of ghee every day will ease your delivery .
Ghee and butter are fattening and are allowed in moderation — anything in excess can adversely affect your health and make you gain extra weight. Pregnant women who are overweight have higher complications and difficult labours. Your mother or mother-in-law may want to fatten you up — to mistakenly ensure a ‘healthier' baby. Appreciate the concern, but say ‘no thanks!'
Instead, continue your regular physical activities and exercise to tone your body as it will prove helpful during labour.
Eating vegetables and fruits with seeds will create stones in the child.
There is no scientific basis to this statement.
Eating a lot of sugar during pregnancy will make your baby hyperactive.
Too much sugar will make you obese. It could also lead to gestational diabetes, which can be harmful.
Eating spicy foods bring on labour.
We have all seen Rachelle in ‘Friends' gorging on jalapeno peppers to induce labour. But, just as it didn't work for her, it's not going to work for you too!
Pregnant women can eat most spices — but there are certain foods that you are advised to avoid, such as unpasteurised cheeses, raw fish and ajinomoto.
Eating papaya leads to abortion.
This is a universal myth — perhaps the fruit's capacity to aid bowel movement has created the impression that it will carry the foetus down, somehow. However, there is no scientific evidence to support it. Taken in moderation, papaya causes no harm and may actually be good in countering constipation, if you have it.
If you have anaemia — eat beetroot.
This one's true. Beetroot is rich in iron, fibre, sugar and water; so, feel free to indulge. There are many good sources of iron, such as, figs, raisins, watermelon, green leafy vegetables, dry fruits and sesame seeds ( til) .
Citrus foods aggravate acidity
Some women face acidity due to the consumption of citrus fruits. If you have this problem, do avoid eating them. However, if you do not suffer from any acidity, continue to eat these fruits as they are high in vitamin C, and are recommended during pregnancy.
Heating food in microwave ovens is harmful to the baby.
According to experts, no good science shows that microwaves harm the foetus.
The writer is a certified Clinical Exercise Specialist, Lifestyle and Weight Management Specialist.
