Only True Parenting Experts Can Tell If These Pregnancy Myths Are Real Or Not
When it comes to parenting and pregnancy, there is a lot to know. Many moms and dads look at the nine months of pregnancy as the perfect study time to learn everything they can about growing and raising a baby. But even after countless books, podcasts and Google searches, it still seems like there's more information we need to know.
Luckily, parenting and pregnancy are skills we can learn on the job. No one is expecting us to know how to be the perfect parent without messing things up a few times. Kids are much more resilient than we think and will still turn out okay, even if we put their diaper on wrong or forget to take our pre-natal vitamin every now and then.
While we don't have to pass any tests to be parents or get pregnant (unless you count a pregnancy test!), it's always fun to put our knowledge to the test. Just how much do we really know about all of this pregnancy, parenting and baby stuff, anyway? Do we know what pregnant moms are allowed to eat, how to predict if it will be a boy or a girl, and what the longest pregnancy on record is? And if we don't know it, that's okay! We have plenty of time to still learn.
Fact or Fiction: Any kind of stress is bad for the baby?
Any kind of stress is bad for the baby - fact or fiction? We're always telling pregnant moms not to stress themselves out because stress is bad for the baby. If mama is stressed, then so is baby. But is stress really bad for the baby? Should mama be zen for her entire pregnancy? Or is some stress okay? Could stress be helpful or is it just harmful to both mom and little one? Only the true parenting expert will know!
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should eat chocolate?
Fact or fiction: pregnant women should eat chocolate. Is that true or is that false? Everyone knows mama has to be extra careful about what she's eating because everything in her mouth is being transferred straight to baby. So she can't gorge herself on fries and milkshakes every single day. But what about chocolate? Is mom allowed to have some chocolate? Can she indulge her sweet tooth in a little bit of chocolate and actually help with baby's functioning? You be the judge!
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should avoid exercise?
Pregnant women should avoid exercise - fact or fiction? "Research shows that the fetuses of pregnant women who are physically active have heart rates that are slower and more variable; both signs of cardiovascular health. The babies of exercisers have lower birth weights, and may even become more intelligent adults because of their bigger brains." Now is that true or did I just make all of those facts up? You be the judge and decide if this one is indeed fact or fiction!
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should avoid eating seafood?
Fact or fiction: pregnant women should avoid eating seafood! We've all heard that pregnant ladies should avoid raw fish, like in sushi, but what about seafood in general. Here's some research on it, you decide if it's true or made up: "Children whose mothers ate at least twelve ounces of seafood a week during pregnancy had higher verbal IQ, better social and communication skills, and superior motor skills, according to a study published in a leading journal." Did I make that up or is seafood safe?
Fact or Fiction: If there's lots of morning sickness, odds are it's a girl?
If you have a lot of morning sickness, odds are you're having a girl - is this pregnancy tidbit fact or fiction? Of course, the only real way to know for sure what type of baby you're having is with an ultrasound. And even those can be wrong if your baby is turned in a funny direction. So you won't really know until he or she is born. But does morning sickness tell us anything? Are your odds of having a girl much higher if you are sick?
Fact or Fiction: If mama is super hungry, it's a baby boy?
Morning sickness may mean we're having a girl but how can we tell if we're having a baby boy? One myth says that pregnant mamas who are absolutely ravenous and want to eat everything in sight are most likely carrying a little boy. Do you think that's fact or fiction? Of course, it's not a 100% guarantee. But eating more can be indicative of a baby boy, or so they say. Do you believe it? Is this fact or just fiction?
Fact or Fiction: Diabetes is only caused by our choices as adults?
Fact or fiction: diabetes, obesity and similar conditions are caused by our choices as adults. We know that it's important to eat healthy and exercise in order to stay healthy and avoid conditions like obesity and diabetes. But does our pre-natal health have anything to do with. Research says, "Low birth weight, for example, has an effect on the functioning of the blood vessels in later life that is as great as the effects of smoking. Each one-kilogram decrease in birth weight leads to a reduction in the capacity of blood vessels equivalent to smoking twenty cigarettes a day for four and a half years." True or false?
Fact or Fiction: An overweight pregnant mom will have an overweight baby?
If you're overweight while pregnant, your child is more likely to be overweight too - is this fact or fiction? We know weight is based off of genetics and eating habits, but does mom's pregnancy weight have something to do with it too? Do you believe this research? "Research shows that children born to normal-weight mothers are less likely to be fat and have bodies that process fats and carbohydrates in a healthier way than brothers and sisters born to the same mother when she was overweight."
Fact or Fiction: The longest recorded pregnancy was 375 days?
Now it's time for some pregnancy trivia! How much do you know about the record pregnancies? Cross your fingers you never have to endure something like this! "The longest recorded pregnancy was 375 days. According to a 1945 entry in Time Magazine, a woman named Beulah Hunter gave birth in Los Angeles nearly 100 days after the average 280-day pregnancy." Is that true or a bunch of garbage? Can someone actually be pregnant for that long? Is this fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: The shortest recorded pregnancy was 18 weeks?
We talked about the longest pregnancy in history, now what about the shortest? Of course, sadly there are many short pregnancies in the world where moms lose their babies and the little ones don't survive. But what is the shortest pregnancy on record where the baby did survive? It was 18 weeks! Incredible, considering a full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. This little one was born at just 18 weeks and survived outside of the womb and into childhood. Is that fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: A baby's heartbeat can determine if it's a boy or girl?
Fact or fiction: you can tell the sex of your baby using a fetal heartbeat monitor. This is the device doctors use to detect the baby's heartbeat. There are also at-home devices that moms can use on their own. Though many doctors caution against these at home versions as non-doctors don't often know how to use them. They may be unable to find the heartbeat and panic, or they may pick up their own heartbeat instead and think everything is fine, when it's not. But can you use these devices to reveal if baby is a boy or girl?
Fact or Fiction: Breastmilk can come in as early as 14 weeks?
Pregnant moms can start producing breastmilk as early as 14 weeks into their pregnancy - is this fact or ficiton? Remember, a full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. So to have milk at just 14 weeks is very early. What are you supposed to do with that supply while you're waiting another six months for your baby to arrive? We also hear of moms whose milk doesn't come in until after labor or doesn't come in at all. So is this one fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: Babies are born without teeth?
You decide if this one is fact or fiction: babies are born without teeth. Obvious, right? But maybe not so! You're used to seeing tooth-less little babies but one source says, "About 1 in every 2,000 babies are born with teeth. These are loose natal teeth and sometimes need to be removed by a doctor. They can be painful for the mother during breastfeeding. They can also be dangerous — there’s a risk they may be dislodged and inhaled." Is that true or totally made up?
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should avoid cold food?
Pregnant women should avoid cold food - is that a real thing or totally made up? One source reveals, "Many pregnant women in China avoid cold foods like ice cream and watermelon. They prefer hot drinks like tea and soup, believing that pregnancy is of a “cold” nature and that hot liquids help balance the yin and yang." So are these women in China onto something? Is cold food actually bad for pregnant moms? Does baby get brain freeze or something?
Fact or Fiction: Most c-sections take place in the US?
When it comes to giving birth, women can do vaginal delivery or deliver via cesarean or c-section. Most doctors will only do a c-section if there are complications as the surgery of a c-section is more risky. But where do most c-sections take place? In the US! "The United States has the highest percentage rate of babies born via cesarean section (50.4 per 100 live births), while Iceland has the lowest (15.2 per 100 live births)." Is that true or false?
Fact or Fiction: The most babies born at one time was 10?
You be the judge; is this one fact or fiction? The most babies born at one time to one mother and to survive outside of the womb is 10. We all remember when Nadya Suleman, also known as Octo-mom, gave birth to nine babies in 2009. She delivered six boys and two girls, all alive and healthy, in California. And she ate up the media attention! But Nadya doesn't hold the title. Another mom, Betsy Ancaster, gave birth to 10 babies at one time in 2011.
Fact or Fiction: Are these twin facts true?
Let's talk about twins! Here are some statements about twins for you. It's up to you to decide if these statements are all fact or all fiction. They're either all true or all false. "There are more twins born in Benin than any other country, with 27.9 twins born per 1,000 births. About 32 people out of every 1,000 is a twin. In the United States, the state with the highest percentages of twins are Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. New Mexico has the lowest. Opposite-sex twins (one boy and one girl) make up approximately one-third of twin births."
Fact or Fiction: 61,000 babies were conceived in the US by IVF in 2012?
Sadly, not all moms are able to conceive naturally or conceive at all. In fact, one in eight couples in the United States has trouble getting pregnant or staying pregnant. So many couples turn to invitro-fertilization or IVF. So here's the statement: "In 2012, over 61,000 babies were conceived in the United States with the help of in vitro fertilization (IVF)." Now is that true or totally false? Over seven million women in the United States receive infertility services in their lifetime - so does that equal 61,000 IVF babies in 2012?
Fact or Fiction: The average woman has her first child at 28?
Everyone knows that millennials are changing the game. We're getting degrees and working entry-level jobs with tons of student loan debt. We're getting married in our 30s instead of our 20s. And we're buying avocado toast instead of houses. Are we also having babies later in life? You decide! Is this fact or fiction: "The mean age of women having their first child in the United States rose from 24.9 in 2000 to 28.3 in 2014." Are we having first babies at 28?
Fact or Fiction: Babies are born at anytime and no time is more popular?
Is this true or false? Babies are born at anytime of day and there isn't one time of day that's more popular. No one can put baby on a schedule! Baby will come when he or she is good and ready. So if babies come whenever they want, that means there isn't a more popular hour for birth, right? One source says, "The highest percentage of infants is born between 8 a.m. and noon each day. Less than 3 percent of infants are born between midnight and 6:59 a.m." Is that fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: Shape of mom's belly can tell if it's a girl or boy?
Fact or fiction: the shape of your belly can tell whether you're carrying a little boy or a little girl. Some sources say that if a pregnant mama is carrying low, she's definitely having a boy. And if she's carrying high, it's absolutely a little girl. But other sources say the shape of mom's tummy is just about her abdominal muscles and has nothing to do with baby. And stomach muscles stretch after each pregnancy so a second pregnancy will naturally be lower than a first.
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should avoid spicy food?
Fact or fiction on this one: pregnant women should avoid spicy food. What say you? Should mama to be put down the hot sauce and chillies? Some sources advise against moms eating anything spicy during pregnancy as it may harm their baby, who will also be eating the spicy food. Other sources say the only issue with spicy food is that it may cause heartburn for some mamas. And heartburn is actually associated with giving birth to a baby with a full head of hair!
Fact or Fiction: C-sections are safer than vaginal births?
Fact or fiction: C-sections are safer than vaginal births. Many moms are opting for c-sections these days because they're actually safer than delivering the old fashioned way - is that true or false? One source says c-sections are the way to go and that moms can elect for this safer procedure. Another source warns that c-sections come with their own risk of complications such as blood loss, blood clots and infections. Many doctors will advise against a c-section unless it's medically necessary.
Fact or Fiction: A number two might happen during delivery?
Okay, here's one we have all heard before. Moms to be are especially scared of this one so we have to know - is it fact or fiction? The statement: you may do a number two while pushing out your baby. One source says that the same muscles you use to push out a baby are the ones you use to do your business on the toilet. So that means many moms release some stool while delivering. The good news? You probably won't even notice! Is this fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women are not allowed to have coffee?
You be the judge. Is this one fact or fiction? Pregnant women are not allowed to have coffee. We've all heard this one before. Pregnant women are not supposed to drink coffee. It's bad for baby's development. Many moms to be have to ween themselves off the liquid gold and abstain for the duration of their pregnancy. But one source says, "Excessive amounts of caffeine have been associated with early miscarriage. However, a regular cup of coffee a day should be OK. Keep in mind that tea, chocolate, and other foods may have caffeine." What's fact and what's fiction?
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women shouldn't be intimate under the covers?
Do you know if this one is true or false? Pregnant women should abstain from any under the cover activities. Is this for real? Are doctors advising all pregnant moms to be to keep their legs closed for nine months? You tell me! Of course, hormones change during pregnancy so your libido may drop or increase. We've also heard that doing the deed can help get baby here faster. But is it safe? Some sources say go for it unless you have a condition that says otherwise.
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should have three balanced meals a day?
You tell me if this one is fact or fiction: pregnant women should have three balanced meals every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner for mama to be! Each of those three meals should be well-balanced and packed with nutrients. That's all mama needs to keep herself and her baby healthy. Of course, one source says otherwise advising more than three meals, "Eating frequently and from various food groups will keep your blood sugar in a constant range, which is healthy for you and your baby." What's true?
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should not be drinking?
We all know that pregnant women should not be drinking. But does that mean they shouldn't drink at all or that they can only drink a little bit? You be the judge and determine if this is fact or fiction: pregnant women should completely abstain from drinking. One source says, "The birth defects associated with drinking during pregnancy are completely preventable. It is essential that all healthcare providers, especially ob-gyns, make clear to their patients that there is no amount of drinking use that is safe during pregnancy."
Fact or Fiction: Mom-to-be is not allowed to eat cheese?
Here's another question for the foodies in the room. True or false: mom-to-be is not allowed to eat cheese. We all know there's a long list of food pregnant women shouldn't be consuming. Is cheese on that list? One source says, "Some kinds, like cheddar and Swiss, are totally fine because they’ve been pasteurized. It's the soft, unpasteurized products like Brie, feta and goat cheese that might carry food-borne illnesses. If you're lucky, your grocery store will carry pasteurized versions—just check the label."
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should be eating for two?
You know the popular saying: you're eating for two! But is mama to be really eating for two? Should pregnant women be consuming enough for two people? One source says yes. They say mama needs to consume enough calories for two people because she's feeding two and working hard to keep baby healthy. Another source says no. Mama to be only needs to consume 300 extra calories and should only be gaining 25 to 35 pounds in pregnancy weight. Fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should avoid raw fish?
So we've already talked about whether moms to be should be consuming cooked seafood. But what about raw fish? In Japan, raw fish and sushi are a huge part of the diet. Most pregnant women continue to eat raw fish and have perfectly healthy babies. But the FDA urges women to avoid any raw fish because the raw fish may contain parasites or bacteria. So what's true? Pregnant women should avoid raw fish - is this fact or fiction? Who has it right?
Fact or Fiction: Moms to be should avoid over the counter medicine?
What do you think? Is this one fact or fiction? Moms to be should avoid over the counter medicine, like those we reach for when we have a stuffy nose, cough or migraine. Are pregnant women supposed to steer clear of Tylenol for headaches and fever; Tums or Mylanta for heartburn; Robitussin for colds; and Benadryl for allergies? Or are these pretty safe to use for most pregnant moms who don't have outstanding conditions? You be the judge and tell us if this is fact or ficiton.
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should avoid lying on their backs?
Next up for debate: pregnant women should avoid lying on their backs. Is this fact or fiction? One source says that by lying on their backs, pregnant women are reducing the flow of blood to their brains and to their uterus - so reducing the blood flow that's supposed to be reaching baby! Another source says that it's perfectly fine for mama to lie on her back and that this often helps to alleviate cramps and pains. So which is the truth?
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should avoid dying their hair?
Here's another piece of wisdom we hear all of the time. Pregnant women should avoid dying their hair. Is that total fact or absolute fiction? One source says that hair dye should be avoided as the chemicals absorbed through the scalp can be very dangerous and harm baby. Another source says the chemicals don't have much of an effect. If you're worried, you should avoid hair dye in the first tri-mester or stick with natural dyes or semi-permanent dyes. Fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: No manicures and pedicures for mama to be?
Here's another one that pregnant mamas hear a lot: no manicures and pedicures! One source says that manicures and pedicures are dangerous because of the chemicals used in nail polish. There's also the fumes from all the chemicals used in the salon, as well as the risk of infection. Another source says to look for salons that are well-ventilated, that sterilize their tools, and that use nail polishes that are free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde, like Butter London, Scotch Naturals and Zoya.
Fact or Fiction: Pregnancy tests are 97-99% accurate?
We've all seen the movies and the TV shows where a woman suspects she might be pregnant. So she goes to the store, buys the test and takes it to the bathroom to do her business. A few minutes later and we learn if she's pregnant or not. But just how accurate are those tests. Fact or fiction: pregnancy tests are 97-99% accurate. One source says yes, these tests are almost completely accurate. Another source says they're closer to 93-95% accurate.
Fact or Fiction: 75% of the time, the problem with conceiving lies with the woman?
We all know that infertility and trouble conceiving is a big issue that many couples face. But where is the problem? Fact or fiction: 75% of the time, the problem with conceiving lies with the woman. One source shares that 75% of the time, it's the female partner who has the problems conceiving. Another source says it's more evenly split: 40% of the time the problem lies with the woman and 40% it lies with the man. The remaining 20% is a problem between both partners.
Fact or Fiction: Zygote, embryo and then fetus?
Okay, it's time to test some basic anatomy. As an expecting parent, you have a lot of new lingo to learn. So let's go back to the very beginning. When a man's sperm meets up with a woman's egg it forms a a single-celled organism called a zygote. After a few days, that zygote splits to become an embryo. And after eight weeks, that embryo becomes a fetus. And many months later, you have your little baby! Are all of those terms fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: The brain, spinal cord and heart begin developing at 10 weeks?
Watching a baby develop in utero is one of the coolest things ever. You can sign up for those pregnancy alert emails that will tell you how big your baby is and what he or she is busy developing in any given week. So when do the big organs come in? You tell me! Fact or fiction: the brain, spinal cord and heart begin developing at 10 weeks. That's why you go in for your first ultrasound at 12 weeks so you can find a heartbeat!
Fact or Fiction: Babies start hearing at 18 weeks?
Baby, can you hear me? We've all heard how important it is to talk to a mom's stomach because the baby can hear. There are parents who play music to the mom's tummy in hopes that they'll spark their little one's development. And it's known that baby's know the sound of their mom's voice because they heard it in the womb. But when do babies start hearing? Fact or fiction: babies start hearing at 18 weeks. What do you think?
Fact or Fiction: Gestational diabetes is when the mom to be is producing too much insulin?
Here's a scary buzz word that some mamas to be may have heard before: gestational diabetes. This is a condition pregnant women can develop that can be very dangerous for their babies. So what is it exactly? You tell me! Fact or fiction: gestational diabetes is when the mom to be is producing too much insulin. She must then rectify this by making dietary changes or taking special injections. She'll be checked for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Fact or Fiction: The chance of conceiving after 40 is only 10% per cycle?
These days, it seems like women are having babies later and later in life. We hear about Hollywood moms who are conceiving well into their 40s and many women we know don't start a family until at least 35. So we're fine to wait, right? Well, maybe not. Fact or fiction: your chance of conceiving after 40 is only 10% per cycle. That's a big drop off from the 20% under 40s have. So is that fact or fiction? What's the verdict?
Fact or Fiction: If her period is on schedule, she won't have any problems conceiving?
Many women have been told that if they have their period on a regular schedule, at the same time every month, then they won't have problems conceiving. Is this fact or fiction? One source that says a regular period is a good sign. But flow matters too. A light flow may indicate a lack of estrogen while a heavy flow may indicate a lack of progesterone. So just because your period is coming at the same time every month, does that mean you're good to conceive?
Fact or Fiction: To conceive, couples should do the deed every day?
We all know that if you want to get pregnant the old fashioned way, you need to get going at doing the deed. So here's the statement: Couples who are trying to conceive should do the deed every day to increase their chances or conceiving. Fact or fiction? One source says the more you do it, the better your chances. Another source says couples only need to do it every 2-3 days, starting 18 days before a woman's period, when she is ovulating.
Fact or Fiction: Dad needs to be taking folic acid too?
The focus always seems to be on mom when it comes to getting ready to conceive a baby. But what about dad? Surely the other half of the equation needs to do something too, right? We all know men's sperm can last much longer than an egg but what else does dad have to do? Fact or fiction: dad needs to be taking active folic acid just like mom. Those vitamins mom is taking shouldn't just be for mom! Dad needs active folic acid and vitamin D too.
Fact or Fiction: Lie in bed with your legs up in order to get pregnant?
Want to get pregnant? One source tells you to lie in bed with your legs up against the wall after doing the deed to make sure all the swimmers go where they are supposed to. It's gravity, right? You're just helping get the little guys where they need to be! So is this fact or fiction? Another source says that sperm naturally head north and that anything else, like seminal fluid, may head south, but that doesn't matter for conceiving.
Fact or Fiction: Moms to be should drink cough syrup in order to help them conceive?
Another piece of pregnancy wisdom that's floating out there is that moms to be should drink cough syrup in order to help them conceive. Fact or fiction? One source says an ingredient in cough syrup, guaifenesin, causes the cervical mucus to thin and become less hostile. It therefore helps to bring in the swimmers and get a fertilized egg implanted. Another source says this is just a myth. And that women struggling with fertility actually need thicker cervical mucus in order to conceive.
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should not get their flu shot?
Next up on the fact or fiction scale is this statement: pregnant women should not get their flu shot. While the flu can provide many complications for pregnant women and their unborn babies, the flu shot is not safe. Instead, pregnant women should do their best to keep healthy during flu season. They should avoid areas with sick people, wash their hands regularly, and keep up their immune system as best as possible. Do you think this is fact or fiction?
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women shouldn't take hot baths?
You know when you're feeling stressed, your body aches and all you want to do is slide into a nice warm bath and melt all your pains away? Well, this next fact or fiction has something to say about that. Pregnant women shouldn't take hot baths - fact or fiction? One source says women should avoid warm baths, saunas or hot tubs/jacuzzis that would raise their temperature above 102 degrees. Another source says that of course moms should be able to take warm baths. What say you?
Fact or Fiction: Pregnant women should avoid flying?
Last but not least: flying while pregnant. Pregnant women should avoid flying - is this fact or fiction? One source says that pregnant women should avoid flying during the duration of their pregnancy as the change in elevation and long time sitting still may cause complications. Another source says flying is perfectly fine for pregnant women. Long flights may be harder, especially if mama is prone to blood clots or needs to get up to use the bathroom often. But flying itself is fine. Most airlines restrict flying after a certain number of weeks to avoid any deliveries in-flight.