Fact Or Fiction: You Can’t Get Pregnant On Your Period
Most people have heard the adage that women can’t get pregnant during a period. Is this true? While women are less likely to get pregnant during a period, there are some exceptions. Specifically, if a woman ovulates early and then has sex towards the end of the period, pregnancy may occur. Consider these 3 additional pregnancy myths.
1. Heartburn means your baby will have hair
Although there is limited evidence, this one may actually be true. One study found that 23 out of 28 pregnant women with moderate to severe heartburn birthed babies who had an average or high amount of hair. However, there is no evidence to suggest that if a woman doesn’t experience heartburn, the baby will not have hair.
2. Heart rate, belly shape, and morning sickness determine your baby’s sex
The fact is, some factors may predict the sex of the baby, while others don’t matter as much. Heart rate and the woman’s belly shape don’t say much about the baby’s sex. However, there are some studies that show a correlation between morning sickness and having a girl. This could be due to the hormones a female fetus produces. Still, just because a woman doesn’t have morning sickness doesn’t mean the baby is a boy.
3. Pregnancy means eating for two
This is both true and false. Women should increase caloric intake during pregnancy to help the growing baby develop. However, women don’t need to double caloric intake, or eat for two, as the saying goes. In general, women should focus on continuing a nutrient-rich diet, adding around 350 calories in the second trimester and another 450 in the third trimester. Additionally, women should stay active during pregnancy for the health of both mom and baby.
Pregnancy facts to know
Here’s a fact about pregnancy that all women should know: difficulty getting pregnant is actually quite common. About 1 in 8 couples have trouble getting or staying pregnant. And over 7 million women in the US receive treatment for infertility. Because many couples are waiting longer to try to get pregnant, infertility treatments are on the rise. In 2012 alone, over 61,000 babies were conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Women who have difficulty getting pregnant have treatment options, including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF. Women under the age of 35 should consider seeing a fertility specialist after trying for a year to conceive without success. For women over 35, experts recommend seeking help after only 6 months. For more information about fertility treatment options, speak with a fertility specialist.