Some myths about pregnancy aren’t real. For example, you can still drink coffee, you’re not really eating for two, and the risk of getting sick from eating lunch meat is extremely low.
As I tidied up the room after my patient’s delivery, I asked her if she wanted me to bring her in any food.
“Or, feel free to have your family bring you in some food,” I said. “It’s the best meal of your life, so eat up!”
“Ooooo,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “I really, really want a sub sandwich. I’ve been craving lunch meat my whole pregnancy!”
Ah, yes.
The common “no lunch meat allowed” myth of pregnancy. But is it a myth? Let’s find out …
I asked a doctor that I work with if there was any truth to the common belief that pregnant women shouldn’t eat deli meat, and she vehemently denied it.
The risk, of course, lies in that pesky Listeria bacteria that may be lurking in cold cuts. But apparently, the risk is so low that it really isn’t anything to be concerned about. Of course, if you’re of the better-safe-than-sorry mentality but can’t kick that hankering for a deli sandwich, just have them throw your sandwich into a toaster to get it steaming hot, which is supposed to reduce the risk of Listeria.
And as far as all of those other pregnancy rumors, take a look …
Sorry ladies, but we can’t use that “I want ice cream at 2 a.m.” excuse all the time.
OK, so men can’t really get pregnant, but they can experience real symptoms of pregnancy, like nausea and vomiting and mood swings. I’ll have to remember this the next time my husband blames me for his weight gain during my pregnancy …
In moderation (one or two cups a day), your java habit really won’t hurt the baby. The good news is if you’re concerned about it, a lot of women actually lose their taste for coffee while they’re pregnant. I know I did — it tasted too metallic for me.
Apparently, growing a human being in your body only requires an extra 300 calories a day. Darn our bodies for being so efficient!
What pregnancy myths did/have you discover(ed) while pregnant?
