Myths of pregnancy Demystified

You have just discovered you are pregnant through a home pregnancy test and are ecstatic. You share the news with everyone you know. But in the bargain you get free advice from all of them on what to eat and how much rest to take. It seems from all this batter that you should lock yourself indoors for the first three months and eat for two. You are terribly confused. What should you really do to take care of yourself and your baby who is just beginning to grow in your womb?

The first thing you should do is to visit a good obstetrician who will be able to guide you on what is best for you and your baby. More importantly, the doctor will examine and confirm your pregnancy through reliable tests and an ultrasound. Home pregnancy tests can be misleading and are not always reliable. The doctor will also be able to advice you about other important tests that you have to take in the first trimester – for example, genetic tests like the one for Down’s Syndrome which cannot be diagnosed by a mere scan. The doctor will also prescribe dietary supplements for you like folic acid with DHA which is very important for the baby’s normal mental and physical growth.  

There is no good that is going to come out of staying indoors with your feet up, if someone has advised you to do that. In fact, doctors say that you should follow your normal day routine, eat healthy food and take a brisk walk everyday to exercise. Walking improves blood circulation and also aids digestion which normally becomes sluggish during pregnancy. It is safe to have intercourse during the first trimester as long as you are comfortable. Many people wonder about this as well.

If somebody has told you to avoid papayas, mango, pineapple, jackfruit and grapes, talk to your doctor. You will find out that this is just a myth and that it is perfectly safe to include these fruits in your diet. You should also include sufficient milk and milk products and protein rich foods like sundal and eggs in your daily diet.

Don’t be scared if you feel nauseous or if you have bouts of vomiting. This is common in many pregnant women and there are very safe medicines which your doctor can prescribe to control these symptoms. Remember, it is important to retain food to provide nutrition for the foetus that is growing inside you and don’t be mislead by the misconception that vomiting is actually good for you. To sum up, visit your doctor as soon as you suspect you may be pregnant. You can get the right answers to all the questions on your mind.