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You can’t believe everything you’re told when you’re pregnant.
Once you start telling people you’re pregnant, you’re going to get all sorts of well-meaning advice. However, there are a lot of old wives tales and myths flying around about pregnancy that is completely baseless.
In order to have the best, most comfortable pregnancy possible, you’re going to want to make sure you have all your facts.
I’m going to shed some light on the most common pregnancy myths so you can have the best 40 weeks possible.
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Myth #1: You shouldn’t drink coffee while pregnant
Coffee-Addicts rejoice! You can have your cup of jo. However, if you down 3 or more cups of coffee a day, you should limit your caffeine intake while pregnant. A cup of coffee a day won’t hurt your baby.
(You actually shouldn’t have too much coffee while not pregnant either, but you’re a grown-ass woman and I’m not your mother)
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Myth #2: You Are Eating For Two
One of the more common myths. Yes, you are eating for yourself and your baby but that doesn’t mean you have to double your calories.
You just need to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. There’s no need to eat bigger portions if you don’t have the appetite for it.
You don’t need any extra calories during your first trimester. An extra 340 calories during your second trimester and 450 calories during your third trimester. Definitely not ‘eating for two’
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Myth #3: You can’t dye your hair
I know soooo many women who have believed this one and had their roots grow a full three inches during their pregnancy.
Research has shown that dying your hair while pregnant has no harmful affects on the baby. High doses of chemicals do cause some harm, however, the amount you are expose to while dying your hair is very minor.
If you are concerned, you should go to a hairdresser and not dye your hair yourself. That way you have less contact with the dye.
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Myth #4: Morning sickness only happens in the morning
If only we were so lucky. However, morning sickness can happen at any time of the day.
Many women in their first trimester experience it at different times throughout the day. It depends on the person and pregnancy. Just because your first pregnancy might have been a walk in the park, doesn’t mean your second one will be the same.
The term is very poorly named, it should be called “anytime sickness.”
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Myth #5: The Pregnancy Glow
Ha! This one is quite funny.
I have known many mama’s that had rashes and breakouts during their pregnancy. Your hormones are all over the places and your skin reacts accordingly.
Happiness and excitement do cause a ‘glow’ that is noticeable by others, but it’s not the ‘shiny hair, bright face, tanned skin’ glow you might have expected.
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Myth #6: Walking Will Make Labor Go Faster
There’s no scientific evidence that suggests this.
Walking might make you feel better and get your mind off how uncomfortable or in pain you are, but it doesn’t induce or speed up labor. Sorry.
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Myth #7: The Shape of The Belly Tells You The Sex
This is an old wives tale that has no merit.
It can vary depending on the culture, but some say if you carry high and in the front, it’s a boy. Low and all the way around is a girl.
It’s fun to guess, but there is no way to tell the gender of a baby without getting an ultrasound.
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Myth #8: Cocoa Butter Prevents Stretch Marks
Cocoa butter is a great moisturizer but it doesn’t go deep enough to prevent stretch marks. Also, slathering too much cocoa butter can lead to a rash.
There’s nothing wrong with keeping your belly moisturized, but don’t expect any cream to help prevent stretch marks.
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Myth #9: You can’t pet your cat while pregnant
As if cats don’t get a bad rap already! You can pet your furry friend all you want.
However, you should not clean the litter box when pregnant. The poops can cause toxoplasmosis, which is a nasty parasite that can cause miscarriages, stillbirths and lifelong damage to a baby’s brain.
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Myth #10: You can’t fly while pregnant
t’s actually perfectly safe to fly while pregnant, even well into your third trimester.
Specific airlines, however, might not allow pregnant woman to fly do their fear that they might go into labor and force the plane to land.
If you do fly while pregnant, make sure to drink plenty of water and get up every hour or so to stretch. Also avoid any tight clothes, especially shoes.
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