The Pregnancy Dilemma

If you’ve never been pregnant yourself, take a minute to think about what you know (or think you know) about pregnancy.  Do the first ideas that come to mind include a list of things not to do?!?  Before experiencing pregnancy myself, I remember ignorantly asking pregnant friends and family members if they were ‘allowed’ to do some of the things I saw them doing: drinking coffee, flying, lifting heavy objects, etc.  When I finally became pregnant myself and educated on the subject, I’ve begun to find it highly irritating to have my actions questioned by others.  I realize that people usually don’t intend to be judgmental or insensitive; they’re just verbalizing the many pregnancy myths they’ve learned through the media or other sources.  So allow me to use this forum to dispel some of those many myths:

Caffeine

Myth – Consuming any amount of caffeine during pregnancy can cause miscarriage or preterm birth

Fact – The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest that having about a cup of coffee a day during pregnancy is safe

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20100722/caffeine-pregnancy-100722/

Flying during pregnancy

Myth – Women should not fly after about 6 months of pregnancy since it may cause preterm labour

Fact – Unless a women is experiencing pregnancy complications, most doctors agree it is safe to fly until full-term or 36 weeks.  Even then, the major concern is simply that women at full-term can go into normal labour unexpectedly…so an aircraft may not be an ideal place to be.  Since airlines have their own policies on this subject, pregnant women may need a note from their doctor or midwife confirming they are able to fly.

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/wellbeing_flying.html

Lifting heavy objects

Myth – Pregnant women could harm their baby by lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous physical activity.

Fact – Studies show that lifting up to 25 pounds during pregnancy is safe when done correctly and that the only risk of lifting heavier objects is that mom could injure herself rather than harming her baby.  As well, women are encouraged to continue the same level of exercise they were comfortable with prior to pregnancy in order to maintain a healthy body.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20023745/ns/today-today_health/t/debunking-myths-about-pregnancy-hazards/#.Ty1_L5jlDao

Foods to avoid

Myth – Eating foods such as soft cheeses, sushi, hot dogs, and sandwich meat are unsafe during pregnancy

Fact – Doctors used to warn against eating these foods during pregnancy since they have a higher risk of carrying Listeria or Salmonella.  However, current research shows that it is so rare to contract such infections from these foods that there is no need to completely rule them out, so long as they’re bought from reputable places.  In terms of raw or cooked seafood, pregnant women should simply limit their intake of high mercury seafood, such as tuna.

This is been the most liberating discovery I’ve made recently since I have a slight addiction to sushi!

http://www.motherisk.org/prof/updatesDetail.jsp?content_id=925

Hopefully some of this information can help society shift from viewing pregnancy as a medical condition or disability, to seeing it as a natural part of women’s lives.  I don’t think this means we should stop offering pregnant women a seat on the bus, as long as it’s an offer that comes without judgment if she declines.

One final, and more controversial, thought to consider is how society treats women who use drugs or alcohol during pregnancy.  We all know that substance abuse can cause serious harm to unborn babies.  However, I think it’s also important to recognize the complex role that addiction plays in many lives.  If pregnancy could magically end a body’s desire for a substance, then it would probably be recommended as a detox treatment…but it’s not.  So before giving a lecture or dirty look to a pregnant women who is smoking a cigarette, just remember that since men don’t get pregnant, they are conveniently excused of all judgment when it comes to substance abuse.  I’m not saying I condone substance use during pregnancy.  But on a larger scale than the other myths discussed in this blog, I think this can be another way that women are oppressed by judgment as a result of being pregnant.