5 Misconceptions About Pregnancy You Need To Know

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Have you recently found out you are pregnant? If so, then you are probably already researching a lot of information online on what to expect when you’re expecting. While you will  undoubtedly find a lot of helpful resources, there’s a lot of fiction within the facts. Some of these seem to come from reputable sources or even people we know. 

Here are some of the myths surrounding pregnancy that you definitely should not buy into. 

Terminations Are Always Intrusive 
Before you start to think about what lies ahead as you proceed through your pregnancy, there is a key decision that you may need to make. You might need or want to decide whether you want to proceed or now. For some people, this won’t be the right decision because the pregnancy was unplanned or they are not in the right stage in their life. A common misconception here is that termination is always going to be intrusive and unpleasant. However, this is not the case and there are actually various abortion options. The right option will depend on the stage you are at in your pregnancy. For some, it could be as simple as taking a pill. It's okay to say no. It's okay to not be ready. Your body. Your choice.

You’re Eating For Two 
This is a big one. In fact, you will often see that exact phrase present in a lot of media. However, it’s not quite accurate. The phrase suggests that when you are pregnant you should essentially double your food intake and that’s not true. Instead, you should make sure that you follow a slightly subdued approach. Furthermore, the extra intake of food will change depending on the point you are at in your pregnancy. As you proceed towards the end, you will be eating more. But in the beginning, you probably won’t notice your diet increase that much at all. Indeed, some pregnant women find that they lose their diet completely for the first few weeks of their pregnancy. This can be disconcerting but it’s actually far more common than most people realize. Usually, your appetite will return around week 18 to 20 if this does happen and it can be a case of simply finding out what your new little one wants to eat. It’s probably not going to be what you expect. 

Exercise Is Bad For You 
This is based on old research from between the eighties to the nineties. It was once presumed and indeed expected that too much exercise would lead to an increased chance of miscarriages. In the past women were encouraged to do as little as possible during their pregnancy. However, we now know that this is not the case. Instead, pregnant women are encouraged to engage in light forms of exercise. Yoga is a great example of this, as is a ninety-second workout session. You shouldn’t push yourself too hard but you also don’t want to remain stagnant, lying in bed throughout your pregnancy (unless advised to do so by doctor's because of complications of course).

Babies Kick Less Towards The End 
Some women believe that babies kick less towards the end of a pregnancy. However, this is another fallacy and it’s actually quite a dangerous one. Instead, you need to understand the typical behavior of your baby. You can do this with the tech available on the market that will allow you to track your baby's kicks. You’ll then be able to determine exactly what’s normal and what might be a cause for concern. You'll know if something's wrong. 

There’s a Set Path 
Finally, it’s important to be aware that every pregnancy is different. One of the biggest misconceptions is that every mother is going to experience the same thing the same way. This isn’t the case at all. The reality is that everyone follows a different path that depends on a massive range of variables. As such, there’s no way to fully prepare for pregnancy and what to expect. You can, however, get the basics down and ensure that you are in the right frame of mind. ​​

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We hope this helps you understand some of the key fallacies around pregnancy. Remember, it’s easy to assume that everyone is going to experience the same thing as they pass through the stages of pregnancy, but this is not the case. There will be significant differences and an experience like this can be completely unique for the person. Your first decision will always be whether you want to proceed and once you have made this decision you can look forward to a truly incredible nine months before the rest of your life begins.

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by Iconic Chica Mag Contributors