Back in the Old West (ok, like a decade ago), unless you had a no-filter friend or a dog-eared copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting, it could be difficult to find out what really goes down during pregnancy. Today, thanks to 24/7 media, we have an endless supply of information at our fingertips—but outdated advice and weird superstitions persist. (Have you heard the one about how if you're "carrying low," you must be having a boy?)
Here to help separate fact from fiction is Annelise Swigert, M.D., an obstetrics and gynecology physician at Southdale Ob/Gyn in Minnesota, who, it’s safe to say, has pretty much heard it all. She tackles six common pregnancy myths that refuse to go away—and what you really need to know.
Myth #1: Once you have a cesarean, any future deliveries will also have to be C-sections.
The Truth: "Many women, even if they’ve had more than one C-section, can safely deliver vaginally," says Dr. Swigert. This is what's known as a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and whether or not you're a good candidate depends on a number of factors, including your overall health and the reason for your previous C-section.
"There are benefits and risks to attempting a VBAC, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about your specific situation," Dr. Swigert notes.
Myth #2: You need to dial way back on exercise.
The Truth: The myth couldn’t be further from it, to be honest. "In this country especially, women aren’t exercising enough during pregnancy," Dr. Swigert says. "Exercise is absolutely safe during pregnancy and can reduce the risk of a C-section.” It can also help ease constipation, reduce back pain, and lower your risk of gestational diabetes.
Doctors used to tell their pregnant patients not to get their heart rates up past 140 beats per minute. The fear? That a high heart rate could affect the flow of blood and oxygen to the baby. Recent research has called that advice into question, but there are still caveats to keep in mind.
If you exercised before pregnancy, you should be able to continue with your favorite workout. Just listen to your body and slow down or stop if you feel lightheaded or have symptoms like pain. If you weren’t super active before you got pregnant, brisk walking is usually a safe bet. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends 150 minutes/week.
"What I tell women is: Don’t do activities where you could fall and hurt yourself, like downhill skiing or mountain biking on a steep hill," Dr. Swigert says. "You wouldn’t believe the number of women who think they can snowmobile during pregnancy!" Starting in the second trimester, you may need to modify your exercise routine. Listen to your body, if it’s no longer comfortable to lie flat on your back in yoga, or you find yourself getting lightheaded or short of breath, look for simple modifications to support your growing belly.
In the third trimester, your ligaments loosen and your weight increases. So you may need to make more adjustments to your exercises to ensure you always feel steady on your feet and can move with control. This isn’t the time for a high-intensity interval training class with lots of quick, jerky movements, for instance. As always, talk to your doctor for exercise advice that's tailored to your unique needs.
Myth #3: You'll have weird food cravings.
The Truth: We've all seen the stereotypical pregnant character on TV, plowing through a large bag of Twizzlers or polishing off an entire jar of pickles. And while it's true that food cravings are more likely when you're pregnant than when you're not, it's also true that not all pregnant people will have them, Dr. Swigert says.
"Food aversions are more common during pregnancy than cravings," Dr. Swigert notes. Research has found that circulating hormones are at least partly responsible for changes in appetite during pregnancy. They can alter your senses of smell and taste, possibly affecting the way you react to certain foods.
Which foods? It’s personal, of course, and there may be a cultural component, according to one study. For example, protein-rich animal sources, like eggs and fish, tend to be typical aversions in Western cultures; Asian and African women may react more to cereals and tea.
A condition called pica sometimes gets lumped into the category of strange pregnancy cravings, but it's actually a completely different thing. Pica is a compulsion to eat things that aren't food. Often, the person will want to chew ice or dirt.
"It's caused by low iron stores or anemia, and it can happen to non-pregnant people, too," Dr. Swigert explains. (One reason pica is associated with pregnancy is that iron-deficiency anemia is more common during pregnancy.) “If you are having unusual cravings you should mention this to your doctor,,” Dr. Swigert adds.
Myth #4: You can prevent stretch marks with topical creams.
The Truth: "Stretch marks are not related to how big your baby is or how much weight you’re gaining," Dr. Swigert clarifies. They're primarily linked to genetics. Which means if your close female relatives have stretch marks, you'll probably get them, too—no matter how much cream you slather on your skin.
This myth does have a kernel of accuracy, however. "Although they won't totally prevent stretch marks, creams like cocoa butter, products with vitamin e, and Mederma, an over-the-counter ointment for scarring, have been shown to possibly reduce the severity of stretch marks," Dr. Swigert says.
Creams work best if you begin using them as soon as you notice your stretch marks. It will take at least several weeks of daily use before you’ll start to see an improvement.
Myth #5: Morning sickness wears off by the afternoon.
The Truth: “Morning sickness” is a bit of a misnomer. Yes, it does often happen in the a.m. But “we now call it 'nausea and vomiting of pregnancy,' because it can occur at any time of the day,” says Dr. Swigert. “More often than not, we see it in the afternoon.”
Whatever hour it occurs, this sick feeling is more of a nuisance in early pregnancy. That’s when levels of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) climb rapidly, which can trigger the nausea center in the brain, Dr. Swigert explains. Although it's certainly unpleasant, nausea and vomiting is generally mild and usually improves by week 13, she adds.
If your symptoms are severe or last beyond the first trimester, you may be dealing with a more serious condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. (Kate Middleton had it, you may recall.) Hyperemesis gravidarum requires medical attention because it carries a risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and other complications.
Myth #6: You shouldn't drink coffee.
The Truth: You might get the stink eye from the person behind you in the Starbucks queue, but try not to let it bother you. "A small amount of caffeine is safe in pregnancy," Dr. Swigert confirms.
Current recommendations are to keep caffeine under 200 mg a day, Dr. Swigert says. That’s about 2 cups of brewed coffee. As another reference, most Starbucks espresso-based drinks clock in at 150 mg for a grande.
Be aware that pregnancy can exaggerate the effects of caffeine. "You might find that you feel lightheaded or experience a faster heart rate after you drink coffee, even if that didn’t happen to you before you were pregnant," Dr. Swigert says. She also warns that energy drinks “can contain significantly more caffeine than coffee.”
You'll no doubt encounter other pregnancy myths in the months to come. If you read or hear something you're iffy about, don't hesitate to ask your doc at your next prenatal visit.
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