Myths and Facts About Prenatal Care

Long ago children were told stories about babies being found in the pumpkin patch or the stork making a special delivery. Fairy tales about pregnancy and childbirth abound, but did you know there are also plenty of myths about prenatal care?

Good prenatal care markedly increases your chances of having a healthy baby. Sadly, women who don’t receive prenatal care are three times more likely to have low birthweight babies and five times more likely to have babies who die in infancy. 

Dr. Kevin Hooker and our extraordinary Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care team dedicate ourselves to ensuring that you get superior prenatal care and that any concerns you have about your baby are addressed as early as possible. 

Keeping things real during pregnancy

Excellent nutrition, engaging in safe physical activity, and monitoring your baby’s development carefully increase the probability of having a healthy, robust newborn. It’s all that matters to most parents-to-be.

When you announce your pregnancy, however, well-meaning people are full of advice and some not-so-accurate statements. It’s still common to hear classics like “If you’re carrying low, you’re having a boy,” and “It’s a girl if you’re carrying high.”  

Dr. Hooker focuses on what’s safe to do during pregnancy and how to ensure a smooth delivery, so, he takes some time here to debunk a few myths.

Prenatal care: Myths and facts

Want to know more about truth versus exaggerations (or outright untruths) regarding your prenatal care? Here are some of the top myths you may hear, and the facts you should know.

Myths:

1. Eating for two is required for your baby’s development

Many women simply can’t eat a normal amount of food when pregnant due to morning sickness. If you’re plagued by nausea and limited to crackers and ginger ale, Dr. Hooker provides creative advice about how to get essential nourishment for your growing baby.

Moreover, the extra calories you need each trimester may surprise you. In the first trimester, you don’t require any more calories than normal, during the second trimester you only need about 340 more, and while in your last trimester, go for 450 calories more than usual. 

2. Exercise is dangerous while pregnant

On the contrary, exercising wisely can make labor easier. If you engage in safe activities, like walking and swimming, some studies have shown that you’ll experience shorter labor, and put a stop to hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and swollen ankles. 

You should always clear exercise with Dr. Hooker, especially the farther along you get in your pregnancy. 

3. A few sips of alcohol won’t hurt

Actually, drinking any alcohol while pregnant is risky. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there’s no amount of alcohol that’s safe if you’re pregnant. 

Like all other sustenance, alcohol passes through your umbilical cord to your baby. If you drink, you have a higher possibility of having a baby with a birth defect, a premature baby, or a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD). Enough said.

4. You should never deviate from your birth plan 

Your birth plan records how you’d ideally like your birth to unfold. However, up to the moment of your baby’s birth, unexpected things can happen that may alter your plans, such as needing a C-section or an intervention if your water doesn’t break. 

Dr. Hooker does all he can to accommodate your birth plan, but if he must diverge from it, it’s for the sake of your baby’s or your own safety. 

Truths

1. Remember your folic acid

It’s critical to take a folic acid supplement daily, starting at three months before you try to get pregnant. This is important because a folic acid deficit has been linked to birth defects that affect the baby’s spine and brain, such as spina bifida.

Aim for 400-800 milligrams of folic acid per day.

2. Steer clear of risky foods

You may get strange cravings while pregnant — pickles and ice cream anyone?

There are certain foods you should avoid while pregnant, including raw fish (sushi is a no-no), fish containing high levels of mercury (like tuna and swordfish), and unwashed produce, which poses a risk for bacterial disease like salmonella.

3. Don’t skip your flu shot

You may have gotten too busy to remember to get your flu shot in past years, but don’t put it off when you’re pregnant. The flu poses serious risks to you and your baby, and puts you at higher risk for preterm labor and premature birth, especially if you contract a severe case. 

4. Commit to prenatal care

Excellent prenatal care ensures that you get proper nutrition, advice on exercise, and recommendations about how to treat pregnancy-related discomforts, such as morning sickness, fatigue, varicose veins, heartburn, and more. 

Call our office to make a prenatal care appointment or message us through our website.