Myth #3: You should increase your food intake.
You’ve probably always heard that pregnant women need to eat for two, but that isn’t quite the case. Eating for two only causes you to gain an excessive amount of weight. In reality, you only need about 300 extra calories a day to ensure that your unborn baby receives all the nutrients he or she needs.
“Eat healthy and moderately through the pregnancy,” Dr. Oyeyipo advises. “Excessive weight gain during pregnancy increases your risk for developing gestational diabetes and is also harder to lose after the delivery of the baby.”
Myth #4: You should avoid drinking coffee.
One cup a day won’t hurt the baby, but anything more than that can be harmful to the fetus, increasing your risk of a miscarriage.
“Caffeine is known to constrict the blood vessels and excessive caffeine consumption during pregnancy may restrict blood flow from to the fetus,” Dr. Oyeyipo says. “You are allowed one cup of coffee a day while pregnant. Take note of other drinks that contain caffeine that you might be consuming to keep your caffeine consumption within safe limits.”
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Myth #5: Sex is off limits.
Unless you have a complicated pregnancy, sex during pregnancy is safe for most women. “A thick plug is formed at the base of the uterus (cervix) during pregnancy that prevents any semen from getting into the uterus,” Dr. Oyeyipo clarifies. “However, you should see your doctor if you experience vaginal bleeding or excessive cramping after intercourse.”
