here are many pregnancy-related myths in our society.

Regarding food, elders at home usually advise their daughters not to have dates, pineapples and caffeine to avoid risk of stimulating miscarriage. Some believe in avoiding nuts and milk fearing the baby might develop an allergy.

If the mother is not previously prone to such allergies, then she can safely consume these products in her diet. There is no evidence of harm in the consumption of fruits and dates in medical literature.

It is generally believed that a pregnant woman must “eat for two” although such an activity can lead to excess weight gain and complications during delivery.

The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says most women do not need any extra calories during the first six months of pregnancy. It is only in the last 12 weeks that they need to eat a little more, and then only an extra 200 calories a day, which is roughly the same as two slices of bread.

Many also have concerns regarding exercise. Regular light exercise is healthy for mothers-to-be. Although strenuous exercises must be avoided.

There are many old wives’ tales about how you can predict a baby’s gender based on certain observations during pregnancy. These may include whether you are carrying the baby low or high; if you are craving sweet versus salty foods; or how fast the baby’s heart rate is; if you are sleepy, etc. There is no evidence behind such beliefs. Accurate gender prediction can be done through ultrasound at around 20 weeks.

Similarly, the myth regarding hot baths is not true. As long as the temperature is mild and the mother is well hydrated, she can enjoy soaking in a warm bath.

Reaching arms over the head is thought to cause wrapping of the umbilical cord around the baby’s neck. There is no evidence to it.

If a mother has heartburn, it has nothing to do with the baby’s hair growth. This experience, in fact, is due to the pressure of the gravid uterus on the stomach and intestines.

Does morning sickness occur in the morning only?

Morning sickness is thought to upset the mothers in the mornings only. However, for a majority of patients, this lasts all day. It usually begins after four weeks of conception and usually lasts till the 16th week.

A few might think travelling is dangerous during pregnancy. For an uncomplicated pregnancy, it is safe to travel by air or road for a few hours. The best time is the middle trimester as morning sickness gets settled till then. Airlines usually don’t allow travel during the last weeks of pregnancy. However, one must avoid strenuous activity and rides during vacation travel.

Does all bleeding in the first trimester mean it’s a miscarriage?

Although it’s an alarming and scary thing to have, 20-40 percent of pregnant women might have this. However, a gynaecologist must be consulted for this.

Can a pregnant woman dye her hair?

There is limited literature available on this. However, it suggests that most of the hair chemicals are not toxic.

There are many comorbid silent conditions like gestational diabetes and hypertension that can prove to be fatal for the baby. Hence, regular physical checkups and ultrasounds are required for fetal surveillance and well-being.

Is there a need to follow up with a doctor during pregnancy?

It is sometimes believed that if a woman is feeling and doing well she should stay at home and there is no need to see a doctor. This is not true.

There are many comorbid silent conditions like gestational diabetes and hypertension, that can prove fatal for the baby. Hence, regular physical checkups and ultrasounds are required for fetal surveillance and well-being.

The World Health Organisation recommends paying your doctor the first visit during 8-12 weeks of pregnancy. This is the right time to get a dating scan and a few mandatory blood tests for monitoring health. Regular visits are helpful in the prevention of complications.

Nutrition and pregnancy

One should take meals based on starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta, choosing wholegrain if possible. Eat at least five portions of different fruits and vegetables every day.

Potatoes do not count towards your five-a-day target, and a portion of pure fruit juice only counts as one of your five-a-day, no matter how much you drink.

Eat as little fried food as possible and avoid drinks that are high in added sugars and other foods such as sweets, cakes and biscuits that have a high fat or sugar content. Instead, eat fibre-rich foods such as oats, beans, lentils, grains and seeds. Eat some protein every day; choose lean meat and try to eat two portions of fish a week. If you do not eat meat or fish, lentils, beans, nuts, eggs and tofu are also good sources of protein.

If you feel hungry between meals, choose healthy snacks such as vegetables, small sandwiches and fresh or dried fruit. Eat dairy foods for calcium or dairy alternatives, which are calcium-fortified and unsweetened.

How often can a mother take caffeinated drinks?

Limit your caffeine intake to as little as possible, and less than 200 milligrams per day, for example, two mugs of instant coffee. Be aware that other drinks, such as tea and energy drinks, also contain caffeine.

Ideally, avoid caffeine or switch to decaffeinated versions of tea and coffee. This is because new evidence has shown that caffeine in pregnancy can be linked to pregnancy complications such as low birth weight, miscarriage and stillbirth.

Is it safe to consume fish during

pregnancy?

In general, eating fish is a healthy option during pregnancy, but the current advice from the Department of Health is to eat no more than two portions of oily fish, such as mackerel (surmai) or salmon, a week. This is because too much of a substance found in oily fish (mercury) can be harmful to your baby’s development.

Which vitamins a mother should preferably take during pregnancy?

The WHO recommends daily supplementation of folic acid 400 micrograms from conception to 12 weeks to reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect (for example, anencephaly and spina bifida).

It is advised to take folic acid even if the mother is already on folic acid-rich food. One should eat foods rich in folic acid (fortified breakfast cereals and yeast extract) and consume foods and drinks rich in folate (for example, peas, beans and orange juice).

Also, a daily dose of iron of around 30-60mg and of calcium of 1.5-2 grams is recommended for maternal health. A deficiency of calcium and vitamin D may affect the bone development of the baby.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vit C and E supplementation are not recommended for pregnant women to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes until advised by a doctor.

The writer is a family physician