PREGNANCY MYTHS

PREGNANCY MYTHS

Forming a new human being is the most complicated thing a person can do without  having to think about it. But that doesn't mean that women don't fret over it.
Everything about books to articles , to relatives and neighbors have a plethora of advice about pregnancy do's and don'ts, but what is the truth?
    MYTH 1#
STRESS DURRING PREGNANCY IS ALWAYS BAD FOR THE FOETUS.
New research shows that a moderate level of stress is actually good for the fetus. It tones the foetu's nervous system and accelerates its development. Women who experience moderate stress during pregnancy have two-week-old infants with brains that work at a faster rate  than infants of mothers without same stress.
    MYTH 2 # PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD AVOID EXERCISE
Actually when a woman exercises, her foetus gets a beneficial workout. 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.
    MYTH 3# SAY NO TO SEX
Good news!! you can still enjoy sex when you're pregnant . Sex doesn't physically hurt the body, which is fully protected by the amniotic sac and strong uterine muscles. Some women wonder if an orgasm can cause a miscarriage. If you have a normal, low risk  pregnancy, don't concern yourself: contractions from orgasm are absolutely different from the type that's associated with labour.
   MYTH 4# PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM SEA FOOD
It has been proven that eating lots of fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury while pregnant, produces more intelligent kids. However fish high in mercury like swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel should be avoided.
  MYTH 5# LIPTON TEA "SHRINKS" THE SIZE OF YOUR BABY
TRUTH: Drinking too many cups of Lipton tea may prevent your body from absorbing folic acid appropriately. Folic acid is crucial during the initial 12weeks of pregnancy. Excessive intake of Lipton tea can increase the risk of development of neural tube defects such as spinal bifida in the unborn baby.
   MYTH 6# A FOETUS IS INSULATED IN THE UTERUS AND IS UNAFFECTED BY WHAT'S GOING ON THE OUTSIDE
A lot of what a pregnant woman encounters in her daily life impacts her foetus. Pregnant women can protect their fetuses by staying away from alcohol, cigarettes and insecticides. A woman should also avoid being emotionally disturbed.
  MYTH 7# DRINKING ALCOHOL (PALM WINE) HELPS  BREASTMILK FLOW
  Although  pregnant women are discouraged from drinking alcohol because of alcohol's harmful effect on the development of the foetus, the lore of many cultures encourages lactating mother's  to drink  alcohol  to optimize breast production and infant nutrition .
   In contrast to the lore, studies have shown that the recommendation for the nursing mother to drink a glass of beer or wine shortly nursing may actually be counterproductive.
 THE NEW EVE MAGAZINE