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FACT or FICTION:
Common Questions About Pregnancy
Parents experiencing their first pregnancy may experience many emotions, from excitement to anxiety. Adding an overwhelming amount of information available online and well-meaning advice from family and friends can sometimes contribute to confusion.
“ There’ s a lot of information out there about what to do and what not to do,” says Paul Speer, MD, maternal fetal medicine specialist and clinical chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UPMC Magee-Womens in Erie.
Read on as Dr. Speer separates fact from fiction related to common pregnancy questions.
Fact or Fiction:
If You Are Pregnant, You Should Eat for Two( Or Three, If You Are Carrying Twins) If you are pregnant, you should increase the number of calories you are eating, but not enough to equate eating for two or more.
“ If your diet provides you with the recommended allowance of 2,000 calories per day, then in general you probably have a healthy calorie intake. When you become pregnant, you should increase that calorie intake by 350 to 400 calories,” Dr. Speer says.“ With twins, the general recommendation is to increase calorie intake by 600 to 700 calories.”
Calorie requirements may vary from person to person, including those with underlying medical conditions. Pregnant patients should also be mindful about balancing their calories among protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Talk with your provider about the best nutritional guidelines for your pregnancy.
Fact or Fiction:
I Have to Give Up Coffee and Other Caffeinated Drinks While I’ m Pregnant Moderate caffeine consumption of less than 200 milligrams a day, equal to about a 12- to 16-ounce cup of coffee, is acceptable during pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Other beverages, like soft drinks and energy drinks, contain not only caffeine but also a lot of sugar, which can cause stomach upset. Dr. Speer advises soft drinks are okay to drink in moderation during pregnancy if they are caffeine and sugar free.
Fact or Fiction:
Fish is Healthy and Safe to Eat During Pregnancy Many types of fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial during pregnancy. However, there are some types of fish that are high in mercury and should be avoided during pregnancy, like mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tile fish, and bigeye tuna.