Myths on how to tell if your pregnant
Common myths about pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
If you are pregnant, you might be getting a lot of advice from well-meaning people. You might be asking whether what they say is true. This article looks at some of the common myths you might hear and provides some answers.
Myth: Eating peanuts and dairy can make your baby allergic to them
Truth: It's perfectly safe to eat these foods unless you yourself are allergic to them, or if your doctor advises you not to. There is no evidence that cutting out some foods will prevent your baby from being allergic to them, but limiting your diet can be harmful to your baby as you might not get all the nutrition you need.
There are some foods that it's best to avoid during pregnancy due to the risks in certain harmful microbes. They include some soft cheeses, patés, raw meat or fish, raw or partly cooked eggs, and soft-serve ice cream.
Read more on foods to avoid when pregnant.
Myth: There are ways you can tell if it's a boy or a girl
Truth: The position of the baby in your tummy, holding a wedding ring over your abdomen and watching in which direction it turns, or how active the baby is, are all ways you may have heard to tell if you are having a boy or a girl, but none of these methods works. The Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) is a blood test available after 10 weeks that can reveal the sex of the baby. In many cases, an ultrasound scan can also let you know the sex of your baby. It isn’t 100% reliable, but you can ask the ultrasound technician to tell you what they can see. You can also ask them not to tell you if you want to wait until the birth to find out.
Read more on antenatal tests during pregnancy.
Myth: I should be 'eating for 2' while I'm pregnant
Truth: There is no evidence to show that you need to eat for 2 when you’re pregnant. How much extra you need to eat depends on your weight and height, how active you are and how far into your pregnancy you are. But, in general, most women should only eat about 350 to 450 additional calories per day while they are pregnant. That’s a couple of extra healthy snacks like fruit, a hard-boiled egg or a berry smoothie.
Overeating is bad for both you and your baby. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is what’s important.
Myth: I shouldn't have hot baths, dye my hair or exercise while pregnant
Truth: It’s perfectly safe to have a warm bath when pregnant, but avoid becoming too hot. During pregnancy, hormonal changes might make you feel warmer than normal. You should avoid spa baths as they can raise your core body temperature, which could lead to overheating, dehydration or fainting.
The low level of chemicals found in hair dye is generally thought to be safe. However, many women still prefer to avoid dyeing their hair in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you dye your hair, you can leave it on for as short a time as possible, or use semi-permanent vegetable dye. If you are a hairdresser, make sure you wear gloves when using hair dye and work in a well-ventilated space.
Most exercises that you did before pregnancy will be safe, but check with your doctor or midwife. If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, you should aim to exercise for an average 20 to 30 minutes, 4 to 5 times a week.
Avoid exercises that put you at risk of a fall, such as horse riding, skiing or cycling. You might find you become breathless or feel hot more quickly during pregnancy. As a general rule, a light to moderate level should allow you to hold a conversation as you exercise when pregnant. If you become breathless as you talk, you’re probably exercising too strenuously.
Read more about things you should avoid during pregnancy.
Myth: Morning sickness only happens in the morning
Truth: Nausea (and/or vomiting) during pregnancy can occur at any time of day, due to changes in your hormones. For most women, it's more common in the morning and begins to improve after 3 months. But for some women, it's different.
Learn more about how to deal with morning sickness.
Myth: I can't have a cat in the house when I'm pregnant
Truth: There is no need to give away your pets when you become pregnant. However, there is a disease called toxoplasmosis that can be harmful to your unborn baby, and you can become infected by handling cat’s faeces.
Ask someone else to change your cat’s litter, or wear gloves to do this — as well as when gardening — while you are pregnant.
Find out more about toxoplasmosis.
Myth: Cream can help avoid stretch marks
Truth: There is no evidence that creams or oils can remove or prevent stretch marks, which often fade in time.
Read more about stretch marks.
Myth: My heartburn means my baby has lots of hair
Truth: One small research study showed there might be a connection between having heartburn in pregnancy and the thickness of your baby's hair. However, heartburn is quite common in pregnancy.
Myth: It's unsafe to hang washing on the line
Truth: Reaching up above your head and hanging washing on the line is safe. It is unlikely that it will affect your baby's umbilical cord in any way. Your midwife or doctor will advise you if there are any activities that are unsafe for you in pregnancy.
Myth: I need to prepare my nipples for breastfeeding
Truth: There is no evidence that you need to prepare or toughen your nipples before birth.
Learn more about breastfeeding before your baby is born.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
15 Signs of Pregnancy You'll Experience Almost Immediately
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Is there a cute little bun in your oven?
By Tehrene Firman
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Thinking you might be pregnant can be totally exciting and completely terrifying at the same time. Here's how to tell if you have a baby on the way before taking a pregnancy test.
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Missed Period
Probably the most well-known sign of pregnancy, a missed period is an immediate indication that something's up. But be sure to take a pregnancy test so you're 100 percent sure: According to the Cleveland Clinic, your period's disappearing act could also be due to stress, excessive exercise, and dieting, among other factors.
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Bleeding
If your period seems abnormally light, it might not even be your period at all: "If you're pregnant, you could experience some bleeding two weeks after fertilization and think it's just a light period. Then, once you get to your next cycle, you'll miss your period," says Mary L. Rosser, M.D., Ph.D., division director of General Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Montefiore Medical Center.
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Bloating
Because of all the hormonal changes going on in your body during the initial stages of pregnancy, you might experience bloating that's similar to the puffiness around the beginning of your period, says the Mayo Clinic. But unfortunately, unlike with your period, pregnancy bloating sticks around.
RELATED: 8 Pregnancy Myths That Are Total Bullsh*t
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Sore and Tender Breasts
You know how your breasts tend to get sore before your period? The discomfort is taken up a notch when you're pregnant.
"One very common symptom we see is very exquisitely sore and tender breasts," Rosser says. "They're much more sensitive and sore than even with regular periods."
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Cramping
Another sign that's right in line with what you experience during a typical period? Cramping. And, according to the Cleveland Clinic, it feels exactly the same too. Just note that if the cramping is either on one side of your body or involves severe pain, you should set up an appointment with your doctor to make sure everything is running smoothly.
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Intense Fatique
There are plenty of reasons you might feel super tired, but one of them could be that you're pregnant. Fatigue is a sign of pregnancy that shows up very early on due to the high levels of the hormone progesterone in your body.
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Nausea
Feeling a little nauseated? When it comes to being pregnant, it can happen at any point during the day — not just mornings.
And, it doesn't always make you run off to the toilet. "Women might not necessarily be vomiting, but they can be extremely nauseated — especially if they don't eat," Rosser says. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the nausea typically sets in early in your first trimester, before you're 9 weeks along.
RELATED: 20 Summer Essentials to Make Your Pregnancy Comfortable and Stress-Free
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Aversions to Food
If foods you used to like are suddenly making you feel sick of disgusted, there's a good chance you're pregnant. "You won't necessarily have certain cravings, but you will have aversions to food — and that can happen very early on," Rosser says. Your new dislikes are all thanks to hormonal changes. And the most commonly seen? Chicken and red meat, fish, eggs, and even fried food.
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Headaches
According to Rosser, it's not uncommon to have bad headaches even just a week into your pregnancy. And the reason for your poor, throbbing head? They're typically the result of hormonal changes, as well as changes in blood volume.
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Mood Swings
Everyone has emotions that go up and down, but they come on hard — and fast! — once you become pregnant. "Mood swings can be common and women usually just blow it off thinking it's from their period," Rosser says. "Because of the pregnancy hormones, mood swings tend to start right away."
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Constipation
Not even your bowel movements are safe from the new pregnancy hormones in your body. After conception, your digestive system tends to slow down due to the hormonal changes, leading to not-so-fun constipation.
RELATED: 15 Ways to Get Pregnant Fast
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Lightheadedness
Being lightheaded is a super common sign you're pregnant, and you'll know something is up almost instantly.
"Sometimes people will know that they're a week or two pregnant because when they get out of bed and don't eat something immediately, they're incredibly nauseated — even in the first week or two," Rosser says. "That's because your body really needs those calories when you wake up in the morning."
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Vomiting
Another tell-tale sign you're pregnant is one that's probably the least enjoyable: vomiting. Sometimes it goes along with that nausea and sometimes it doesn't. Whether you vomit or not, you're probably going to experience at least some nausea — experts say that between 70 and 80 percent of women do.
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Metallic Taste
You've probably never wondered what sucking on loose change tastes like, but some women experience something very similar in the initial stages of pregnancy. The metallic taste can come about just a few days after conception and is thought to be due to the pregnancy hormones in your body.
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Frequent Urination
Are you running off to the bathroom more times than you can even count? Frequent urination starts right after implantation and starts producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone responsible for triggering your need to pee 24/7.
Why Being Pregnant In the Summer Doesn't Suck
Myths about pregnancy. View of an obstetrician-gynecologist. – Academic Medical Center (AMC)
There are many beliefs associated with pregnancy, the origins of which go back centuries. Upon learning that a girl is pregnant, older women will definitely warn her that she must not dye her hair, cut her hair, buy something for the baby, etc. before the birth of the child. When asked why something can not be done, the answer is difficult to find. So it happened, so did our mothers and grandmothers. Some traditions can actually be useful, while others, on the contrary, are useless or even harmful. nine0004
We asked director of the Academic Medical Center, doctor of the highest category, obstetrician-gynecologist Irina Vladimirovna Yarotskaya, to tell which beliefs have some truth and which do not.
Irina Vladimirovna, tell me, is there any truth in the belief that during pregnancy it is impossible to cut and dye your hair?
— This myth is explained as follows: you can’t cut your hair, because you can cut off the fate of the child, and you can’t dye your hair, because the dye contains chemical components that are harmful to the fetus. nine0005
In fact, a pregnant woman should not stop caring for herself. On the contrary, it is very important that she feel beautiful and look good. You can cut and dye your hair, the main thing is to choose non-toxic paints.
Is it true that all physical activities are dangerous?
— No, not true. During pregnancy, physical activity should be dosed. A woman is not recommended to work in night shifts, and this is established even at the legislative level. A woman should rest and get enough sleep, but not give up any activity. Walking in the fresh air, performing sports exercises designed specifically for pregnant women will only benefit a woman.
nine0005
Can't take a bath during pregnancy?
— Thermal procedures are contraindicated for pregnant women. A hot bath increases blood flow, including in the pelvic area, where it is already high due to pregnancy. Too much increase in blood flow can provoke a threat of termination of pregnancy. Therefore, taking a bath during pregnancy is really not recommended, it is better to wash in the shower. If a woman still takes a bath, the water temperature should be no higher than 37 degrees. nine0005
Can I drink coffee?
— You can drink coffee during pregnancy. It is contraindicated only in certain complications of pregnancy. It is recommended to drink weak brewed coffee with milk. It is better to refuse soluble. In the first half of pregnancy, you can drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day, in the second - 1. The main thing is that coffee does not disturb sleep patterns.
Is it possible to talk about pregnancy and buy things for a child before birth?
— Such myths have no scientific basis.
These are popular superstitions. You can tell stories, buy things, and take photos. At the same time, I’m not saying that you need to tell everyone about pregnancy, but you shouldn’t hide it from relatives and friends either. There is a saying that happiness loves silence. Many people follow this rule. nine0005
Some women believe that after pregnancy their figure will never be the same, while others, on the contrary, believe that after leaving the hospital they will look like before pregnancy. Who is right?
- Immediately after childbirth, a woman's body produces many hormones necessary for recovery. The recovery period lasts 6 months. Leaving the hospital and even after 1-2 months, the woman will not look like before pregnancy. The belief that the figure will not be the same is also wrong. A month after giving birth, a woman can perform light exercises to improve physical fitness. You also need to monitor nutrition, eat healthy foods and exclude harmful ones.
This will benefit both the new mother and the child. nine0005
Is it necessary to bandage the abdomen after childbirth so that the muscles contract more quickly?
- No, this does not give any results. The contractility of the skin depends mainly on genetic factors. With good contractility, the skin begins to recover after 2-3 months, but the recovery process is completed only after 6 months.
Is it true that a woman cannot get pregnant if she does not have a period while breastfeeding?
- Even in the absence of menstruation, a woman can become pregnant again, so it is recommended to use contraceptives. After giving birth, at least a year must pass before the next pregnancy for the woman's body to fully recover.
You can find out about comprehensive pregnancy monitoring packages at AMS or make an appointment with Irina Vladimirovna Yarotskaya by following the link.
Which signs of pregnancy can be trusted and which not?
You can listen to the short version of the article.
If it's more convenient for you, turn on the podcast. nine0004
The most reliable signs of pregnancy are a positive blood test for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and an ultrasound confirming the fact of conception. But sometimes you want to clarify the situation before going to the doctor or pharmacy. And this can really be done with high accuracy if you know which symptoms and in what period to pay attention.
At what time do the first signs of pregnancy appear
Let's say right away: stories like “I realized that I was pregnant the very next morning after a night of love!” or “we slept together, and after three days morning sickness appeared and everything became obvious” - this is something like an urban legend. They have nothing to do with science. nine0005
The earliest signs of pregnancy appear at best 6 days after conception. And it's not for all women.
The reason is physiology. For a pregnancy to occur, the egg must meet with the sperm in the fallopian tube.
This should happen within one or two days after ovulation - the maturation of the egg in the ovary. The fertilized egg then travels to the uterus to attach to it.
This process takes at least a few days - on average from 6 to 10. Moreover, until the egg begins to fix itself in the endometrium lining the uterus, no changes in well-being can be noticed. Simply because they are not and cannot be. nine0005
Actually, it is the implantation (introduction) of the embryo into the wall of the uterus that doctors consider the beginning of pregnancy. And this is logical. If a woman is taking oral contraceptives or has an intrauterine device, implantation will not occur. Accordingly, pregnancy will not occur and will not be able to make itself felt with any symptoms.
Conclusion: it is useless to look for signs of pregnancy earlier than 6 days after unprotected intercourse. But after this period, you can already begin to listen to yourself. nine0005
Which early signs of pregnancy you can trust
There are traditional signs of pregnancy related to well-being: morning sickness with or without vomiting, painful breasts, changes in taste… And most of them are really worthy of attention.
Patricia A. Yost
OB/GYN, MD
Even if you feel a little different than usual, it's enough to suggest pregnancy.
But at the same time, these symptoms may have other causes. The real signs of pregnancy manifest themselves in strictly defined terms - this is due to the physiology, which we talked about above.
Therefore, if any change in your health seems suspicious to you, be sure to check how much time has passed since the alleged conception (or the first day of the last menstruation - the so-called obstetric period is counted from it).
Here are the most popular and reliable symptoms that you are pregnant. Not all of them may be present specifically for you. But the more of them, the higher the likelihood that you are in a position. nine0005
1. Mild cramps in the lower abdomen
- Onset : 6-12 days after conception (4-5 weeks after last period).
When a fertilized egg implants in the wall of the uterus, some women experience mild cramping pain in the lower abdomen.
It can last 1-2 days until the implantation process is completed. These sensations are also enhanced by increased blood flow to the uterus. nine0005
However, pain in the lower abdomen often occurs before menstruation, when the uterus is preparing to reject the thickened endometrium that is not needed this time. If you are not pregnant, after a couple of days these cramps will end with menstruation. But if the stomach hurt and stopped and menstruation did not come, you should be wary.
2. Spotting spotting
- When appears: 6-12 days after the expected conception, that is, on the days of the expected menstruation (4-5th week from the beginning of the last menstruation). nine0111
The process of implantation of an egg in the uterine wall can be accompanied not only by pain, but also by the so-called implantation bleeding. It is small and usually consists of small, light red or brownish discharge that stops within a couple of days.
Sometimes women overlook this symptom, thinking it is simply too weak menstruation.
But menstruation cannot be "too weak", this is important. If the monthly bleeding of your usual volumes did not come after the spotting discharge, you are most likely pregnant. nine0005
3. Heavy, painful breasts
- When appears: 6-12 days after conception (4-5 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).
This is how the mammary glands react to hormonal changes in the body that begin after the implantation of the egg. This is a fairly common and characteristic symptom. According to a survey conducted by the American Pregnancy Association, for 17% of women, swollen breasts were the first sign of their new condition. nine0005
At the same time, breast enlargement and soreness can also be associated with approaching menstruation - the so-called premenstrual syndrome.
4. Unmotivated weakness, fatigue
- When appears: 6-12 days after the expected conception (4-5 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).
During and after the implantation of the egg, the body begins to produce progesterone, a hormone that helps keep the pregnancy going. A side effect of its increased level is sudden weakness, drowsiness, laziness, unwillingness to do anything. Later, when the female body adapts to the changed hormonal background, vigor will return. But at the very start of pregnancy, weakness is most noticeable. nine0005
However, concluding that you are pregnant just because you suddenly want to crawl under the covers and do nothing is not worth it. Unmotivated fatigue can have dozens of different reasons - from banal overwork or ordinary SARS to much more dangerous diseases. Keep monitoring your condition.
5. Delayed periods
- When appears: about 14 days after conception (5-6 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation) with a normal 28-day cycle. nine0111
Absence of menstruation is the key and most understandable symptom of pregnancy. Nearly 30% of women surveyed by the American Pregnancy Association said it was what made them take the test.
Nevertheless, a delay in menstruation is still not an unambiguous sign. It can be related to a host of other factors besides pregnancy: stress, weight loss, exercising too intensely, jet lag, certain medications.
6. Nausea (early toxicosis)
- When appears: about 14 days after conception (weeks 5-6 from last period).
They like to show this sign in films so that the viewer understands that the heroine is pregnant. But nausea appears no earlier than 2 weeks after conception. Scientists do not fully understand what this process is connected with, however, they suggest that this is the body's reaction to a changed hormonal background.
If you feel sick 3-7 days after sexual intercourse, it is more likely a problem with digestion, and not early toxicosis, because at this time the level of hormones does not change significantly. nine0005
7. Sensitivity to odors
- When appears: about 14 days after conception (weeks 5-6 from last period).
This symptom is caused by the same hormonal changes as nausea. Sometimes it appears even before the delay of menstruation. For example, you become unbearable smell from smoking colleagues. Or he begins to feel sick from the aroma of his favorite flowers, perfumes, dishes. This is a good reason to at least buy a pregnancy test. nine0005
8. Bloating and constipation
- When appears: 6-12 days after conception (4-5 weeks from the start of the last period).
Progesterone causes some muscle relaxation. This also applies to the muscles of the intestines. For this reason, the digestive process slows down, feces remain in the intestines longer. Which often causes a bursting sensation in the abdomen and constipation.
However, be aware that bloating and constipation can have dozens of other causes besides pregnancy.
Therefore, it makes sense to consider this symptom only in combination with others. nine0005
9. Frequent urination
- When appears: 14-21 days after conception (5-6th week from the beginning of the last menstruation).
In the first weeks of pregnancy, the body actively produces the hormone hCG. It increases blood flow to the pelvis, causing women to run to the toilet more often.
10. Increased basal temperature
- When appears: 14-21 days after conception (5-6th week from the beginning of the last menstruation). nine0111
Basal body temperature is measured in the mouth, rectum or vagina. It rises during ovulation - that is, during the period when the egg leaves the ovary into the fallopian tube. During pregnancy, basal temperature can also increase. But this happens not earlier than the sixth obstetric week.
11. Mood swings
- When appears: 7-10 days after the start of the delay of menstruation (from the 6th week from the beginning of the last menstruation).
Mood swings are caused by hormonal changes that a pregnant woman goes through. However, these changes increase gradually and become significant after a delay in menstruation. nine0005
If irritability, anxiety, tearfulness occur much earlier, most likely, it is not about pregnancy, but about banal PMS or stress.
12. Dizziness
- When appears: from 14-21 days after conception (from 5-6 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).
In the early stages of pregnancy, blood pressure often drops. This is due to the fact that the uterus requires more blood supply, the blood vessels dilate to provide the necessary blood flow, and the heart is not yet ready to pump the required volumes. The pressure decreases, this process is accompanied by dizziness. nine0005
However, dizziness can have other causes, including dangerous ones. If you begin to regularly “sickness”, consult a general practitioner or (if pregnancy has already been established) a gynecologist.
13. Accelerated pulse
- When appears: from the 8th to 10th week from the beginning of the last menstruation.
During pregnancy, the heart has to pump more blood to nourish the growing uterus and fetus. Therefore, it begins to work more actively. An increased heart rate is a common symptom in pregnant women, but it occurs already at those times when pregnancy is in most cases obvious. nine0005
But again, keep in mind that an accelerated heartbeat (tachycardia) can also occur for other reasons - for example, with cardiovascular diseases. In any case, such conditions, if they began to manifest themselves regularly, require consultation with a general practitioner, gynecologist or cardiologist.
14. Pimples
- When appears: as a rule, not earlier than the 11th week from the beginning of the last menstruation.
Increased blood volume and increased hormone levels increase blood flow.
This leads to the fact that the sebaceous glands of the body begin to work more actively than usual. Acne is often a side effect of this activity. nine0005
However, acne has many other causes, so do not rush to write off pimples for pregnancy. You may be able to quickly get rid of them if you make small changes in your lifestyle.
Signs of pregnancy to avoid
1. Diarrhea
Liquid, watery stools are also sometimes considered a sign of pregnancy. But it's not. On the contrary, you are more likely to become constipated in the early stages of pregnancy. Exclusively for hormonal reasons, which we wrote about above. nine0005
If you do develop diarrhea, it is likely caused by other factors: you may have eaten something that was not right, or you may have contracted a rotavirus infection.
2. Abrupt changes in taste preferences
There are legends about the love of pregnant women for peaches with herring or strawberries with soy sauce. But there is little convincing scientific evidence that women experience cravings for unusual flavor combinations during pregnancy.
Rather, we are talking about some changes in appetite associated with early toxicosis and sensitivity to smells. So, you may want to give up your usual coffee or fried foods - simply because their pungent smell will become disgusting. nine0005
However, there is still a craving for non-standard dishes. As a rule, it is associated with the fact that the body of a pregnant woman is deficient in certain essential vitamins and minerals. And he tries to cover their shortage by making the hostess want chalk (this may be a sign of iron deficiency) or, for example, pickles (deficiency of some salts) with raspberry jam (vitamin C deficiency). But such food perversions occur at solid terms of pregnancy, when it is already obvious.
3. Dreams about fish and other signs
But these options have nothing to do with evidence-based medicine at all, no matter at what moment they appear. Also, do not try to detect pregnancy with the help of fortune-telling and waving a ring on a string.
How to establish pregnancy for sure
To begin with, listen to yourself, but don't go crazy. If you have a couple of reliable signs, invest in a quality pharmacy test. With its help, you can determine pregnancy as early as 10–12 days after fertilization. nine0005
If you want to clarify earlier, take a blood test for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It can be done in any certified medical laboratory, and the results will be ready within a few hours.
Lia Moss
Nurse Midwife at Northwestern University School of Medicine
An hCG blood test can detect pregnancy as early as 7 to 10 days after conception. But be aware: too early testing can give a false positive result. nine0005
If the test is positive, go to the gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe a follow-up ultrasound to confirm your new position.
If the tests are negative, but the symptoms of pregnancy seem obvious to you, repeat the test in 1-2 days.
