The 4 Biggest Pregnancy Myths Revealed - Health

When your pregnant, everyone likes to tell you tall stories and myths about a multitude of different things. With all the pregnancy myths, old wives tales and guessing out there, it is sometimes hard to tell fact from fiction. Below is a list of the 4 most common pregnancy myths, with the real answer behind the myth.

1. To determine the sex of your baby, you must have an ultrasound - Some people throw around myths and old wives tales regarding how to determine the sex of your baby. Common myths include if you are carrying high or low, the craving you have or by performing a home urine test. None of these things however will be able to help you determine the sex of your baby. The only way to determine your new babies gender is to have an ultrasound.

2. The myth of eating for two - Many women use this as an excuse to eat as much food as they can. In reality you are not eating for two adults, and some health professionals claim that a pregnant women may only need to increase her calories by between 300-400 calories per day. This means that if you are pregnant, it doesn't necessarily mean you will gain heaps of weight during pregnancy. It has also been noted that overweight women can actually stay the same or even lose weight during pregnancy.

3. Drinking alcohol when pregnant - Some people may tell you a few small drinks when pregnant is safe. In reality however, no alcohol should be consumed when pregnant. Alcohol can cause a lot of damage to your developing baby. However, if you have had a big night of drinking a few weeks ago and only recently found out you are pregnant, don't panic. The majority of complications from alcohol usually occur from repeated binge drinking sessions rather than a one off occurrence.

4. Effect of household appliances on your developing baby - Some people state that televisions, microwaves and computers can harm a developing baby. Science however has shown that the levels of radiation produced by these devices is so small that it is highly unlikely that they could cause any harm to a developing baby.

These are the 4 biggest pregnancy myths around. Science often finds very little substance to myths and old wives tales. If you are concerned at all about the development of your baby or your pregnancy, always visit your doctor.

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