Hi there! I’m Elliot, and today we’re diving into some common misconceptions about pregnancy. Remember, these are just general insights, and if you’re pregnant, it’s always best to consult with a medical professional for advice. Let’s get started!
Many people believe that pregnant women should avoid sushi. However, in Japan, it’s common for pregnant women to eat sushi. The concern in the West is mainly about the risk of foodborne illnesses from raw fish, similar to risks from other foods like chicken. Most experts agree that if the fish is cooked or if you’re enjoying vegetarian sushi, it’s generally safe.
While it’s true that some fish should be avoided during pregnancy due to high mercury levels, like shark and swordfish, other fish can be beneficial. For example, salmon is low in mercury and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for fetal development. So, not all fish are off the menu!
In the past, cutting out coffee was recommended for pregnant women. However, as of 2010, experts say that consuming less than 200 mg of caffeine a day is generally safe. This is about one 12 oz cup of coffee, but remember, caffeine content can vary, so it’s good to check.
Some people think they can guess a baby’s sex by how a pregnant woman looks or carries. For example, a sagging belly means a boy, while a higher belly means a girl. These ideas are not true and can be considered rude, so it’s best to avoid making such comments.
There’s a bit of truth here. Severe morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, might slightly increase the chances of having a girl. However, the odds are only about 55.7%, so it’s not a reliable method for predicting the baby’s sex.
While it’s true that pregnant women need more calories, it’s not double the amount. The U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests an extra 340 calories in the second trimester and 452 calories in the third. It’s best to get specific advice from a doctor.
It’s okay to have a cat while pregnant, but it’s important to avoid changing the litter box. This is to prevent the risk of toxoplasmosis, a rare infection that can occur if the cat’s feces contain a certain parasite.
While we often hear that pregnancy lasts 9 months, it’s actually a bit more complex. The average length from ovulation to birth is over 38 weeks, with some variation. Factors like a woman’s age and birth weight can affect the length of pregnancy.
Some airlines have restrictions on flying during the last trimester, but it’s not because flying is harmful. They just want to avoid the possibility of a woman going into labor on the plane.
Many women try to induce labor with spicy food, but a study from Ohio State University found that labor is mostly beyond a woman’s control. It’s best to let nature take its course.
Thanks for joining me on this journey through pregnancy misconceptions! If you have any topics you’d like to see in future episodes, feel free to share them in the comments. See you next time!
Test your understanding of pregnancy misconceptions by taking a “Myth or Fact” quiz. You’ll be presented with statements about pregnancy, and your task is to determine whether each statement is a myth or a fact. This will help reinforce what you’ve learned and clear up any remaining misconceptions.
Choose one of the misconceptions discussed and conduct further research on it. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class. Include information on why the misconception exists and what the current scientific understanding is. This will enhance your research and public speaking skills.
Design an infographic that visually represents one or more of the pregnancy misconceptions. Use images, charts, and concise text to convey the key points. This activity will help you practice summarizing information and presenting it in an engaging format.
In pairs, role-play scenarios where one person is a pregnant individual and the other is a friend or family member. Discuss the misconceptions and correct them using the information you’ve learned. This activity will help you practice communication and empathy.
Write a blog post aimed at debunking one of the pregnancy misconceptions. Use evidence from credible sources to support your points. Share your post with the class or publish it on a class blog. This will help you develop your writing and critical thinking skills.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Hi, I’m Elliot, and this is Mental Floss on YouTube. Today, I’m going to talk about some misconceptions about pregnancy. Keep in mind that these are just general insights; I’m not a doctor. If you’re pregnant and have questions, you should ask a medical professional. Also, I’m not a pregnant woman, but I hope that was obvious.
**Misconception number one:** Pregnant women should not eat sushi. Many Japanese women eat sushi throughout their pregnancy. That said, a lot of Western doctors will tell you to avoid raw fish due to the risk of foodborne illness, which can also come from other foods like chicken. Most experts agree that if the fish is cooked or if you’re eating vegetarian sushi, you’re in the clear.
**Misconception number two:** Pregnant women should not eat fish. Fish to avoid during pregnancy include shark, king mackerel, swordfish, tilefish, marlin, and certain types of tuna due to high mercury levels. However, according to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the nutrients in some fish can be beneficial for fetal development. Many recommend salmon, which has low mercury levels and is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
**Misconception number three:** Pregnant women shouldn’t drink coffee. Cutting out coffee while pregnant used to be recommended, but as of 2010, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reviewed the evidence and announced that less than 200 mg of caffeine a day would not increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth. This is roughly equivalent to one 12 oz cup of coffee a day, but caffeine content can vary, so it’s good to double-check.
**Misconception number four:** You can tell the sex of a baby by how a pregnant woman looks or carries. It’s best to avoid telling a pregnant woman that she looks a certain way based on the baby’s sex, as it can come off as rude. Some believe that if a pregnant belly sags, it’s a boy, while a higher belly indicates a girl. Others think that baby girls take some of their mother’s beauty, leading to the idea that prettier pregnant women are carrying boys. These notions are not true.
**Misconception number five:** You can tell the sex of a baby by morning sickness. There is some truth to this misconception. If a woman experiences severe morning sickness, also known as hyperemesis gravidarum, in her first trimester, it may be more likely that she’s having a girl. However, doctors estimate the odds at around 55.7%, so it’s not a reliable predictor.
**Misconception number six:** A pregnant woman is eating for two. Technically, yes, but the U.S. Institute of Medicine recommends that a pregnant woman should eat an extra 340 calories during her second trimester and an extra 452 calories in her third. A doctor can provide more specific recommendations, but it’s incorrect to assume that pregnant women are doubling their typical diets.
**Misconception number seven:** You should not have a cat if you’re pregnant. It’s actually okay to have a cat or pet a cat while pregnant, but one rule is to avoid changing its litter box. This is to prevent the rare possibility of contracting toxoplasmosis, which can occur if the feces contain the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
**Misconception number eight:** Pregnancy lasts 9 months. According to a study by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the average length from ovulation to birth is a little over 38 weeks, with about 5 weeks of variability from woman to woman. Factors that might affect the length of pregnancy include a woman’s age and her birth weight.
**Misconception number nine:** A pregnant woman cannot fly on an airplane during her last trimester. This can be true depending on the airline, but it’s not because flying is harmful. Most airlines simply want to avoid dealing with women going into labor on their planes.
**Misconception number ten:** Spicy food triggers labor. A 2011 study at Ohio State University surveyed women who had recently given birth. Many attempted to trigger labor using various methods, including eating spicy food. The study concluded that labor is largely beyond a woman’s control, and the best approach is to let nature take its course.
Thank you for watching Mental Floss on YouTube! If you have a topic for an upcoming misconceptions episode that you would like to see, leave it in the comments, and we may consider it. I’ll see you next week!
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Pregnancy – The condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body, typically lasting about nine months in humans. – During pregnancy, it is important for women to have regular check-ups to ensure the health of both the mother and the baby.
Sushi – A Japanese dish consisting of small balls or rolls of vinegar-flavored cold rice served with a garnish of raw fish, vegetables, or egg. – Eating sushi can be a healthy choice if you select options with plenty of vegetables and lean fish.
Fish – A cold-blooded vertebrate animal that lives in water, has gills, and typically has fins and scales. – Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.
Caffeine – A natural stimulant most commonly found in tea, coffee, and various energy drinks. – Consuming too much caffeine can lead to increased heart rate and difficulty sleeping.
Sickness – The state of being ill or having a disease. – Washing your hands regularly can help prevent the spread of sickness during flu season.
Calories – A unit of energy that is used to measure the amount of energy food provides to the body. – Teenagers need a sufficient amount of calories each day to support their growth and development.
Cats – Small domesticated carnivorous mammals with soft fur, a short snout, and retractile claws. – Cats can be carriers of toxoplasmosis, which is why pregnant women are advised to avoid cleaning litter boxes.
Toxoplasmosis – An infection caused by a parasite that can be transmitted through undercooked meat or contact with cat feces. – Toxoplasmosis can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women as it may harm the developing fetus.
Labor – The process of childbirth, especially the period from the start of uterine contractions to delivery. – During labor, the body undergoes intense physical changes to allow the baby to be born.
Development – The process of growth or improvement, particularly in the context of physical, mental, or social capabilities. – Proper nutrition and exercise are crucial for the healthy development of teenagers.
