Got more questions than answers? An Akron Children’s specialist debunks common pregnancy myths, so you can make informed decisions for a healthy pregnancy.
Thanks to advances in medicine, your doctor can learn a lot about your pregnancy before your baby is born. Prenatal tests and ultrasounds can check your baby’s development, screen for genetic diseases, estimate their size and even reveal their sex.
Yet pregnancy continues to inspire its own set of myths — and parents who wouldn’t dream of skipping a prenatal appointment might wonder whether Great Aunt Sally’s predictions about junior’s gender could be on the money.
In many cases, predictions about the baby’s sex or how much hair they’ll have are fun and harmless. But if any pregnancy advice leaves you confused about what’s best for you and your baby, ask your doctor to help you sort fact from fiction.
“Some pregnancy myths are all in good fun, but stay clear of advice that goes against your doctor’s recommendations,” said Dr. Dante Roulette, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Akron Children’s. “It’s best to rely on medical-based guidance, rather than advice from social media or well-meaning family and friends.”
Five common pregnancy myths debunked
While pregnancy myths may vary from generation to generation, here are a few of the most common myths — and the facts behind them.
Myth: You’re eating for two.
Fact: That doesn’t mean you should eat twice as much during pregnancy.
While your body does need extra nutrients to support your growing baby, you don’t need to double your daily calories. During the second and third trimesters, most women only need to eat about 300 to 450 extra calories each day.
Instead of focusing on eating more, focus on eating well. Choose foods high in protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and calcium.
“The quality of your diet matters much more than the quantity,” said Dr. Roulette. “Small meals full of healthy nutrients can help support both you and your growing baby.”
Myth: Exercise during pregnancy can be dangerous for babies.
Fact: For most healthy pregnancies, regular exercise is not only safe, it’s encouraged.
Staying active during pregnancy can help:
- Boost your mood and energy
- Reduce back pain
- Improve sleep
- Lower your risk of gestational diabetes
- Prepare your body for labor and recovery
Walking, swimming, prenatal yoga and light strength training are all great options for many pregnant women.
“You don’t need intense workouts to see the benefits, either,” said Dr. Roulette. “Even light to moderate activities can support a healthy pregnancy — and make a big difference in how you feel.”
Just be sure to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy or certain medical conditions.
Some vaccines are recommended during pregnancy, some should be given before pregnancy and others may need to wait until after your baby is born.
Myth: Vaccines aren’t safe during pregnancy.
Fact: Most vaccines are not only safe, they’re recommended. There are only a few not recommended in pregnancy.
Vaccines help protect you and your baby from serious illnesses and pregnancy complications like early birth or miscarriage. During pregnancy, the flu shot and Tdap vaccine (which protects against whooping cough) are recommended. The COVID-19 vaccine also is considered safe and effective for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
During respiratory season, the RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant women to prevent infections in infants younger than 6 months.
These vaccines help your body make protective antibodies that can be passed to your baby before birth, protecting them until they’re old enough to get vaccinated on their own.
“Live vaccines (such as the MMR and chickenpox vaccines) aren’t recommended because they contain a weakened form of the virus, which can pose a risk of infecting your developing baby,” said Dr. Roulette. “But vaccines that are not live cannot cause infection and provide protective antibodies to both mom and baby.”
Ask your doctor about which vaccines are recommended during pregnancy.
Myth: Fetal heart rate can indicate your baby’s sex.
Fact: This one is an old wives’ tale. Your baby’s heart rate doesn’t predict their gender.
A normal fetal heart rate ranges from about 120 and 160 beats per minute (bpm). Some people believe a faster heart rate means you’re having a girl, while a slower one means it’s a boy. But research hasn’t found any evidence that heart rate predicts a baby’s gender.
Your baby’s heart rate will probably be different at each prenatal visit anyway.
“The heart rate is related to your baby’s age more than anything else,” said Dr. Roulette. “It also depends on your baby’s activity level at your visit. If your baby is sleeping, the heart rate may be 130 beats per minute, but if baby’s excited, it could be 150 beats per minute.”
Myth: Frequent heartburn can mean your baby will have lots of hair.
Fact: Heartburn is much more closely related to hormonal changes and pressure from your growing uterus than your baby’s hairstyle.
As your baby grows, your organs become crowded. The acid reflux pregnant women experience is caused by the expanding uterus forcing acid out of the stomach and up the esophagus.
“The opening between the stomach and esophagus can become more relaxed due to pregnancy hormones,” said Dr. Roulette. “When this happens, stomach acids can splash back into the esophagus causing heartburn.”
When in doubt, ask your provider
Pregnancy advice can come from everywhere — family, friends, social media and even strangers. While some tips may be harmless, others can be confusing or even unsafe.
“When you have questions, your doctor is your best source of accurate, up-to-date information,” said Dr. Roulette. “We can help you separate pregnancy myths and facts, so you can make informed decisions for yourself and your growing baby.”
No matter what myths you’ve heard, one thing is true: Every pregnancy is different, and you can trust your doctor and care team to help you navigate any concerns you have along the way — whether or not they’re based on myths.
Learn more about our specialized maternal-fetal medicine services.
