5 Myths Debunked About Pregnancy and Parenthood

Here, we break down 5 common pregnancy myths, how to separate fact from fiction, and the best things you can do to support you and your baby's health.

Myth 1: You can’t get pregnant if you have irregular periods

Fact: You can get pregnant despite having irregular periods.

What is an irregular period? Irregular periods are periods that occur at unpredictable times, or occur at intervals shorter than 22 days or longer than 35 days apart. 

What causes irregular periods? Irregular periods can be caused by lifestyle changes or health factors like hormonal imbalances, weight gain or loss, thyroid disorders, PCOS, ovarian dysfunction, hormonal birth control and more. 

Can I get pregnant with an irregular period? Yes. However, one of the bigger issues with irregular periods is that they could be signs of inconsistent or absent ovulation. If you can't ovulate, your body isn't releasing an egg that can be fertilized. Issues with ovulation are responsible for up to 30% of all cases of infertility. 

How can I maximize the chance of getting pregnant with irregular period? 

Make lifestyle changes to improve your fertility such as:

• Changes to your diet or exercise routines
• Adding a multivitamin that contains key nutrients like Folate and Inositol
• Using ovulation predictor test strips
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Managing stress
• Limiting exposure to environmental toxins

If you have PCOS, hormonal imbalance, low egg count, poor ovarian function, uterine fibrosis, endometriosis, or are undergoing IVF, supplementation with the clinically-validated 40:1 blend of Myo Inositol and D-chiro Inositol, Folate, Vitamin D, and B vitamins has been shown to improve fertility, per clinical studies. If infertility persists, talk to your physician about additional treatments. 

Shop Fertility Complete+

Myth 2: Pregnancy makes you tired

Fact: Constant fatigue can be a sign of a diet lacking key nutrients, and can be improved with proper nutrition.

While pregnancy can certainly cause fatigue, lack of key nutrients can make it significantly worse. Studies have found that up to 65% of pregnant women don't get the iron they need to support a healthy pregnancy.

Make sure to get enough Iron, Folate, Omega-3, Vitamin D, Calcium, Zinc, and Vitamin A while pregnant, as a lack of any of these essential nutrients can leave you feeling drained and may not give your baby the support it needs to develop properly.

Choose a quality prenatal supplement to fill in any gaps. Many prenatals only contain the bare minimum level of nutrients, while others use artificial forms of nutrients that aren't absorbed well by your body. 

If you're looking for a prenatal, BabyRx's Prenatal Complete+ has 20 essential nutrients recommended by ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), and uses highly absorbed nutrients.

Myth 3: You need to eat for two

Fact: Your average weight gain will depend on your original weight, and doesn't occur at an even pace.

• 1^st trimester
  Weight gain is slow, and it's possible you'll lose weight if you have severe morning sickness.
• 2nd trimester
  Weight gain accelerates, and cravings can kick in. Most of your weight gain in pregnancy happens after week 20. Don’t limit your body of the nutrition it needs but be careful of unhealthy snacking. Split meals over the course of your day into 4-6 small meals, and opt for healthy snacks.
• 3rd trimester
  Consume an extra 200-300 calories per day. Most pregnant women gain an average of 22-26 lbs, but consult your doctor if you have concerns. Be careful in the last few weeks, as this is when your weight gain can get excessive. You won’t be as active and food urges are at their strongest. 

Here’s a chart estimating how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.

Myth 4: Spotting after sex during pregnancy is bad

Fact: It’s normal to experience some light spotting after sex while pregnant.

Light red, pinkish, or brown spotting after sex is normal, and is especially common in the first few months of pregnancy. It is caused by your cervix becoming more sensitive during pregnancy.

Myth 5: All prenatal vitamins are the same

Fact: Some contain less than half of the essential nutrients pregnant women need. 

1. A complete set of essential nutrients.

Your body needs a complete set of nutrients to successfully grow a healthy baby. Here are some of the most important ones and how they play into your health and your baby’s development:

• Omega-3; key for early brain and eye development during pregnancy, and may also play a role in mental health
• Folate; essential for early brain development and helps prevent defects like spina bifida
• Vitamin D; deficiency during pregnancy is linked to preeclampsia and other complications
• Iron; needed to increase red blood cell production to supply the fetus with the oxygen it needs to grow
• Vitamin A; helps the fetus’ heart, lungs, and eyes develop, and also helps the immune system function
• Vitamin B12; works together with folate to help the fetal nervous system grow and develop
• Zinc; needed for proper DNA production, cell division, and tissue growth

2. Natural prenatal vitamins with bioavailable ingredients

Look for prenatals with natural, rather than artificial forms of nutrients, as these are often better absorbed by your body. For example, some women have trouble converting folic acid to its active form, and in cases like this, doctors might have you take methyl folate, the active form of folic acid.

If you’re looking for a prenatal, BabyRx Prenatal Complete + is a natural vitamin that contain 20 essential nutrients pregnant women need.