By RMHP
A lot happens during 40 weeks of pregnancy, and there’s no shortage of information available about what you might experience each step of the way.
You’ll probably also hear quite a few pregnancy myths from friends and family members who have children of their own, but what’s true for one pregnant couple may not be true for another. Here are a few of the most common myths about pregnancy and the scientific facts that support (or debunk) them.
One of the most common pregnancy myths is that you can tell your baby’s gender by the position of your tummy or by holding a ring over your stomach and observing which direction it turns.
Unfortunately, neither of these is a scientific fact, though there are exceptions to every rule. There is a way to learn the gender of your baby, but you’ll need to schedule an ultrasound.
Pregnant women should be mindful of what they’re eating because certain foods can be harmful to a developing infant. However, there’s no evidence to suggest you should give up dairy entirely unless you are lactose intolerant yourself.
While no two people have the same reaction to alcohol, generally medical advice is to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Smoking advice is a little clearer: don’t ever smoke while pregnant, and that means tobacco, marijuana, and opioids.
This pregnancy myth stems from confusion about the chemicals in hair dye and whether or not they’ll reach your baby after you visit the hair salon. As long as you adhere to safety guidelines while dyeing your hair, like making sure you do it in a well-ventilated area and following all application instructions, you should be safe to continue your hair routine while pregnant.
Prenatal exercise is beneficial for mom and baby, so it’s not necessary to give up on your exercise routine. You can start with casual exercise if you’re still unsure about moving while pregnant, like taking a walk or doing some light yoga.
As your pregnancy develops, there are also workout plans designed specifically for first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. Always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise plan while pregnant, however.
Since pregnancy is different for all women, morning sickness should not be taken as a hard and fast rule. Some women experience it, and some women never do. Additionally, some women have “morning sickness” in the afternoons or evenings.
If you’re a Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) Member with a question about insurance coverage as it relates to your pregnancy, know that we are here to help. You can click here for our Customer Service contact page, and our team will be thrilled to help you during this exciting time.