8 common misconceptions about pregnancy

Not every parent avoids these common misconceptions during pregnancy

• Pregnancy must last exactly 9 months and 10 days: According to experts, the natural length of a pregnancy can vary by up to 3 weeks longer or shorter, depending on each mum's constitution.
• You have to eat for two: This is a common but inaccurate belief. If your diet is already balanced, during pregnancy you only need to add one or two light snacks of about 300 calories a day. What matters is that your meals provide all the nutrients you and your baby need.
• You can't exercise during pregnancy: Research shows that gentle, moderate exercise during pregnancy improves cognition and benefits your baby's heart as well as your own health.
• Mums-to-be must not eat fish: Adding fish to your weekly menu is good for both you and your baby because fish contains omega-3 fatty acids. However, pregnant women are often advised to avoid fish because of the risk of mercury poisoning. So you should avoid fish high in mercury (shark, bluefin tuna, swordfish, king mackerel …) and never eat raw fish.
• "Making love" during pregnancy can hurt the baby: This is the most common myth among expecting parents. Many people think sex will harm the baby and make the woman uncomfortable. In fact, if you feel comfortable, your health allows it and you choose a suitable, safe position, it will not hurt or harm the baby in any way.
• Too many ultrasounds affect the baby: Most doctors advise women with a normally progressing pregnancy to have 3 ultrasounds during pregnancy, about 3 months apart. Scans should be done more often if there is a threat to the mum's or baby's health. In addition, high-frequency ultrasound is not harmful like an X-ray because it involves no exposure to ionising radiation. In fact, thanks to ultrasound, doctors can rule out ectopic pregnancy and identify conditions in the baby.
• You must have a caesarean if you have had one before: In fact, this decision depends on your condition and your doctor's advice at the time of birth. So it is not true that you must have a caesarean just because you had one before. In reality, some mums can still give birth vaginally after a previous caesarean.
• All mums can breastfeed: Breastfeeding is the best way to nourish a baby, but some mums cannot do it. This is because some conditions require medicines that cannot be taken while breastfeeding. Doctors will advise mums when such medicines are needed.

References: Health & Life (Suc khoe va Doi song)