4 myths about pregnancy

Four myths about pregnancy and prenatal care that every mom-to-be should know

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you might be hearing a lot of advice coming from all kinds of sources. For instance, your mom might be telling you one thing, your friend who has just had a baby tells you another, and the internet says something else. Of course, this is all well-meaning advice, but it’s easy to get confused and wonder if what you hear is true.

Myth about pregnancy #1: Prenatal vitamins are not necessary

All women, regardless of their age, race, or number of pregnancies, should take prenatal vitamins to make sure their baby gets a healthy start. To prevent severe birth defects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid for all women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Most prenatal multivitamins have the recommended dosage of folic acid and other essential vitamins and minerals for your baby’s development.

Myth about pregnancy #2: Prenatal care is too far away and expensive

False! Did you know that if you live in northeast Houston, you don’t have to travel far to get good prenatal care? Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Clinic offers quality prenatal care from the time you start thinking about having a baby or when you find out you’re pregnant, all the way through delivery.

You can get all your pregnancy related care, including regular checkups, ultrasounds, postpartum care, circumcision, and behavioral health at either of Vecino Health Centers’ locations — Denver Harbor or Airline. Regular checkups are important to make sure you and your baby are healthy and strong throughout the pregnancy.

If you are worried about how much your care will cost, note that most insurance plans cover the cost of prenatal care. If you don’t have insurance, Vecino offers a financial assistance program to establish an amount you pay at each visit that is affordable for you. You won’t have to worry about any unexpected charges for tests or procedures.

Myth about pregnancy #3: Pregnant women are happy all the time

Pregnancy is a time of physical and emotional changes, and somedays you are not going to feel like yourself. That’s okay! Pregnant women don’t have to be happy all the time. There will be some days when you are going to miss the things that you did when you weren’t pregnant or feel cranky and sad for no reason at all. Let yourself feel all the emotions – both good and bad – and don’t feel guilty about feeling down or blue from time to time.

If you notice that you are feeling sad most days or you are having trouble controlling your emotions, Vecino is here to help. To make an appointment with one of our counselors, call 713-674-3326.

Myth about pregnancy #4: Pregnant women should avoid having sex

It is not true that pregnant women should avoid having sex. It is safe to have sex during all three trimesters of your pregnancy as long as you feel comfortable doing it and your doctor hasn’t advised against it.

However, you could still get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) when you are pregnant. An STI during pregnancy can be very dangerous for you and your baby. Even if you have been tested for STIs in the past, you should get tested again when you find out you are pregnant.

These are some ways you can reduce your risk of an STI:

• Have sex only with a long-term monogamous partner who has been tested for STIs
• Use condoms and dams regularly
• Don’t use drugs or alcohol – using drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can harm your baby and put you at a greater risk of engaging in unsafe sex.