3 Things You May Believe About Pregnancy That Aren't True

Have you recently discovered that you're going to be expecting a bundle of joy in a few months? Are you worried about making sure that your baby will be healthy when he or she is born? When it comes to pregnancy, there are a lot of myths and misunderstandings out there. While you should always consult with your obstetrician when you have any questions, here are some things that you may have heard about pregnancy that simply aren't true:

You need to eat twice as much: Although you are technically eating for two, as the saying goes, this doesn't mean that you need to eat twice as much. Babies only need to eat between 35 and 50 calories per pound every day. A newborn 7-pound infant will need no more than about 350 calories total per day to start with.  Proper pregnancy care means that, as a result, you shouldn't be eating more than this in additional food per day. This works out to an additional snack or two in addition to your normal diet, not several additional adult-sized portions being added to your meals. It won't be harmful if you eat a little more on one day and a little less the next day, but indulging in excess food every day isn't healthy for you or your growing baby.

You can't drink any coffee at all: You should discuss this with your obstetrician, but small amounts of caffeine are unlikely to be harmful to your unborn child. If you love coffee and drink 5 or 6 cups a day, your pregnancy care routine may mean that you'll need to cut back to a cup or so of coffee. However, your obstetrician is likely to agree that you won't have to completely give up coffee or caffeinated sodas so long as you don't go over the recommended amount of caffeine.

You need to avoid any and all fish: As you've probably heard, fish is extremely healthy and high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, you may have also heard that pregnant women should avoid eating fish. The problem is not the fish itself but the mercury that it might contain. High-mercury fish can cause a variety of birth defects and should be avoided. Fortunately, there are several types of fish that have low enough levels of mercury that they are safe to eat. For instance, tuna should be avoided but anchovies and catfish are extremely low in mercury. 

To learn more, contact a company like Vita Center For Women LLC.