Over half of pregnant women don’t know what to eat or avoid, new research finds
PREGNANCY is tough enough on a woman’s body – without the added stress of navigating what you can or can’t eat or do while you’re expecting.
And it turns out a huge 59 per cent of expectant mums are baffled by exactly what they should or shouldn’t be doing.
A new survey, which involved 1,000 women, found three in ten felt unclear on what medication and painkillers were safe to take during pregnancy.
Meanwhile, one in ten were unsure if they were allowed to sleep on their back.
Food and drink also causes confusion during pregnancy – especially when it comes to knowing which cheeses are safe to eat, how much alcohol you can consume and whether it’s okay to eat peanuts.
Other puzzling aspects of pregnancy include what vitamins you need to consume more of, how much weight you should gain and whether or not it is safe to go in a hot tub.
Bewildering
A spokesperson for Pregnacare vitamins, which commissioned the research, said: “Pregnancy is a hugely exciting time, but for many women, it can also be daunting at the same time.
“Every mother wants to do the best for their unborn baby, by following guidelines and consuming the right foods, to ensure their pregnancy is as healthy as possible.
“But there are so many pieces of advice out there that it can be bewildering on what’s the best source – even if you have been through a pregnancy before advice on areas like eggs and other food has changed over recent years.
“There is a wealth of information out there, on the internet and in books and magazines, but this can sometimes have the opposite effect and just leave you feeling confused.
“If you are in any doubt, speak to your pharmacist, midwife or GP.”
More guidance
The study also found that as a result of the confusion, just six in ten women felt they were adequately prepared for pregnancy.
And more than one in four women would like to see a more definitive guide on exercising while pregnant while 37 per cent would like more guidance around nutrition.
Others would like clearer advice on supplements (31 per cent), cravings (16 per cent) and cleaning products (19 per cent).
However, much of the confusion comes from conflicting pieces of advice, with 73 per cent believing books and magazines have different information surrounding pregnancy and what you can and can’t do in books and on the internet.
Out-of-date advice
Even those who have been pregnant more than once don’t feel they were any better prepared with 58 per cent saying the advice changed between their pregnancies.
And 47 per cent were worried about taking out-of-date advice.
More than one in five have even had an argument with someone due to conflicting advice they received.
When faced with different information, 26 per cent of women polled, via OnePoll, used the internet to search for a more definitive answer, while 12 per cent turned to blogs or forums.
A third simply ‘trusted their gut’ while 22 per cent turned to their mum for help.
It also emerged that almost one in ten mums weren’t confident they knew exactly what they should and shouldn’t be eating during their pregnancy.
The six foods ALL pregnant women should avoid
Dietitian Susan Short has recommended the foods that mums-to-be should give up to safeguard their baby’s health.
1. Soft cheese
This advice applies to all soft cheese that is mould-ripened.
Susan warns against Camembert, brie, blue cheeses and Stilton as they are “more likely to cause bacterial infections such as listeriosis, salmonella and toxic prognosis [toxic shock].”
2. Raw eggs
Fully-cooked eggs are fine, but if you are a fan of soft poached eggs in the morning you’ll have to give those up for nine months.
Susan explains that the more raw the yolk is, the higher the chance of getting salmonella.
3. Pâté
Susan said: “Any liver pâté, so anything with liver or liver products, are high in vitamin A and that can be toxic to the developing baby.
“Vitamin A at high levels can affect the baby’s growth and development.”
4. Certain fish
Susan said: “While fish is good for you there are some that contain high levels of mercury.
“These pollutants can build up in the body and effect the baby’s developing nervous system.
“With that in mind, the ones you must avoid are shark, swordfish and marlin.”
5. Caffeine
Susan said: “Caffeine should be limited when pregnant, you should have no more than 200 milligrams a day.
“That is the equivalent of two cups of instant coffee or two and a half cups of tea.”
6. Alcohol
While you may have heard or read that a small amount of alcohol from time to time when you’re pregnant is acceptable, Susan said it should always be avoided.
Susan added: “We would say no amount of alcohol is recommended.”
And just two thirds felt they knew what vitamins and supplements they should be taking.
Around two in three women took supplements during their pregnancy, with 43 per cent saying this included vitamin D.
But four in 10 admitted they aren’t aware that vitamin D is an important vitamin during pregnancy.
A spokesperson for Wellbeing of Women, the leading charity for mums and babies said: “This survey shows that under a half of pregnant women are taking vitamin D which, Wellbeing of Women funded research has shown, plays an important role in a healthy pregnancy, and suggests that not enough people are aware of the vitamin’s benefits.
“Our research found that the benefits of vitamin D extend far beyond bone health and help to keep the placenta working properly during pregnancy.
“In the digital age there is a lot of information out there and it can be confusing for mothers-to-be to know who to trust.
“At Wellbeing of Women we aim to raise awareness around women’s health and champion better care for women at all stages of their life, including pregnancy and childbirth.
“We hope this survey kickstarts conversation around antenatal healthcare for women to help families everywhere.”
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