Pregnancy fact or fiction?
Categories: Just for moms, Pregnancy & birth, Health & safety, Medical conditions, Mommy musts
Now that I've found myself plum in the middle of my second pregnancy, I thought it might be interesting to really take a look at all those wives tales we're always being reminded of when we find ourselves in the family way. The first pregnancy for me I was totally freaked out and had no chance at being able to separate fact from fiction--between what I read online and in books and magazines, what I was told by friends and family--and, ok, let's face it, complete strangers who for some reason are more than willing to share their pregnancy/birth experiences--and what information I got from my OBGYNs, I was basically confused. TMI (too much information) took on a whole new meaning.
I wanted to believe what my doctors told me--but, hey, they're not always right. Prime example? Caffeine. My first pregnancy I was told I could have up to two cups of caffeinated beverages such as coffee a day with no problem. This was even though I'd heard otherwise. Now, in pregnancy two (electric boogaloo), we're all reading about how caffeine is a no no (again), especially in the first trimester. Guess what--the info I got from my OBGYNs was the same.
Then there are all the hair-brained things we read on the Internet. I told a friend of mine who was having a rough pregnancy to just STOP reading ANYTHING on the Internet as it was all terrifying her. It did me, too. Hey--you never know--there are many times when the sages of the Internet speak the truth, or at least a version of it. So, who and what to believe as we--and I, as I go through pregnancy two--navigate our way through pregnancy and impending parenthood? Hard to say. My goal with this min-series, called "Pregnancy fact or fiction" is to not necessarily answer the questions, but rather to explore them and the multiple answers we find when we go looking,
Some of the old wives tales I whip out may seem unconventional or downright crazy, but so is the science of having a baby. Just think how complicated conception can be, and, coupled with the lack of knowledge we still have after all these years about how women and pregnancy, it's easy to see where some of those strange ideas came from...especially when the results continued to support the theory, scientific or otherwise!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mamaloo 5-04-2008 @ 11:13PM
It's funny, looking at conception from a scientific standpoint, it is a wonder that anyone ever gets pregnant. There is such a tiny window of fertility each month. And yet, most people have to go to great lengths to keep themselves from getting pregnant because a fertile woman's body (and her man) want to be pregnant and will do all kinds of near magical things to ensure it happens!
Blows my mind!
About the caffeine, read the studies and make your own decisions. Don't ask your OB s/he likely isn't completely up on the latest evidenced based research. And, then, after you've done your reading, use your common sense. A few cups of coffee each day, for you, may have no effect at all on your baby.
I come from a long line of tea drinkers and you can bet the Irish and the English don't abandon the pot when they get knocked up! Heck, I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't have my 3+ cups of cha a day!
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Mel 5-05-2008 @ 9:41AM
"Don't ask your OB s/he likely isn't completely up on the latest evidenced based research."
Wow. With that attitude, I would hope that you forgo OB's altogether. Clearly you know better than they.
mamaloo 5-05-2008 @ 9:52AM
@Mel - I think it's fantastically naiive to think that your healthcare provider knows everything. As a matter of practicality, you as a user of health care services should assume that it is your job to be informed about your health.
Your OBs job is to track your prenatal vitals in order to assess whether you are having a normal pregnancy and to diagnose when things veer away from normal. Keeping abreast of each and every study about pregnancy nutrition, for example, is just beyond their abilities.
I am often surprised when Peds and OBs give advice that contradicts what their own certifying orgs advocate.
It is your body and your baby and your responsibility to take care of your own well woman health. I don't advocate not trusting OBs, I advocate empowerment.
Christina 5-05-2008 @ 8:52AM
I agree re: caffeine with Mamaloo. I did not drink a drop of caffeine the 1st pregnancy because I heard it was SO horrible. However, all the moms from the 60-70-80s that I know thought I was nutso for doing this (and it was horrible experience - the stopping of caffeine... it literally sent me to the ER because I thought I was dying!) All those moms were like 'ah honey I drank coffee during pregnancy and my kids are fine.' With this 2nd pregnancy I have one small cup each morning. I just could not go through with the withdrawal and not having something each morning warm between my toddler and my job.
I think I keep up on things but I thought the most recent evidence said a moderate 4-6 oz of caffeine was okay while pregnant?! Any who, I guess time will tell. I find these studies vague and the media that reports them never give you proper details. For instance, a new study says blah blah blah. If you went to the study you would find out it was poorly run and only 10 subjects were studied, etc. I know there are WAY worse things I could be doing and it has been 10 times easier to ignore all the stuff out there this time around versus the first time!
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Lori 5-05-2008 @ 12:37PM
I agree that it's best to take all of the information that's out there with a grain of salt. I think your better judgement is what you should rely on most of the time. I live in Germany and I saw a German OB/GYN during my pregnancy. They have a much more moderate approach to foods/beverages to avoid here. For example, alcohol is not quite as taboo. I did not drink it during pregnancy, though. On the other hand, a natural drug-free birth was much more encouraged than I think it is in the States.
That being said, I gave up all caffeine for the pregnancy and while I'm breastfeeding. We have a long history of over-active nervous systems in my family and I did not want to add stimulants to my baby's new (and possibly genetically predispositioned) system. It was very difficult and I still miss coffee a great deal. My OB/GYN here said that she allows her patients to have a cup or two per day if needed. To me, the argument about giving up caffeine and your baby turning out fine is a bit short sighted. Yes, perhaps at birth, but are their greater long-term effects?
Nnett 5-05-2008 @ 12:04PM
I agree, sometimes you get to much information that you don't know what to do anymore. I try to find the balance between all the contradiction information. I found a web site with good pregnancy book and I read there what I want to know http://www.babyhold.com/The_pregnancy_book/
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