Maternity Misconceptions Deck

1. Maternity Misconceptions
Casi Jackson, Elyse Moore , Emma Pagh
10 March, 2018

2. Since the 1990’s, parenting books have been put to the side and
expecting parents have turned to the internet for answers. Although
this provides more up to date and readily accessible information, it can
also lead to misconceptions affecting health and well-being of
the expecting parents and child.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

3. Maternity Misconceptions 2018
Around 578,082 women will discover that they are pregnant today.
http://www.who.int/whr/2005/chapter3/en/index3.html

4. More than 350,000 babies will take their first breath today.
http://www.theworldcounts.com/stories/How-Many-Babies-Are-Born-Each-DayMaternity Misconceptions 2018

5. Objective
Our goal is to focus on The United Nations’ Sustainable Development
Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being while concentrating on maternity
health misconceptions that occur before, during, and after pregnancy.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

6. Before Pregnancy:
Misconception #1: “Only women
need to take supplements to
increase fertility”
Misconception #2: “The best time to
have a baby”
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

7. Misconception #1: Supplements to Increase Fertility
Belief:
Many believe that women are the only ones who need to take
supplements in order to increase their fertility rate.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

8. Misconception #1: Supplements to Increase Fertility
Fact:
Over 2 million men are diagnosed with infertility in the United States
alone. There are several supplements available to men to help improve
their fertility including:
● Coenzyme Q10
● Vitamin E
● Diet high in folic acid
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 https://fcionline.com/our-center/news-and-media/press-releases/mens-health-month-11-male-infertility-myths-
debunked/

9. FACT
Folic acid is very beneficial for both men and women.
Men: Increase sperm count
Women: Decrease the likelihood of birth defects
Foods with a lot of folic acid include:
● Leafy green vegetables
● Citrus fruits
● Beans
● Breads
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/folic-acid/

10. Misconception #2: The Best Time to Have a
Baby
Belief:
Many women believe that the cut off age for having a healthy baby is 35
years old and the best time to have a healthy baby is in your early 20’s.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

11. Misconception #2: The Best Time to Have a
Baby
Fact:
Statistically, the best age to have a baby is 34 years old
● Older mothers tend to be more financially and emotionally stable
● 34 is the age right before health risk with pregnancy begins to occur
at 35
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3001438/The-ages-define-life-woman-new-study-reveals-female-milestones.html#ixzz597ME93Sc

12. During Pregnancy:
Misconception #1: “You’re Eating For
Two”
Misconception #2: “Cancel Your Gym
Membership”
Misconception #3: “Skip the Coffee”
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

13. Misconception #1: “You’re Eating for Two”
Belief:
Many women who become pregnant tend to believe that because they
are pregnant and are now “eating for two”, they can indulge in as much
food as they want no matter its nutritional value without any
repercussions.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

14. Misconception #1: “You’re Eating for Two”
Fact:
According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
women who are pregnant and have a body mass index in the normal
range should only consume about 300 extra calories.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 https://www.acog.org/-/media/Womens-Health/nutrition-in-pregnancy.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20180301T0258403298

15. Misconception #2: “Cancel your Gym Membership”
Belief:
Many people believe that working out while pregnant is harmful for the
baby and can potentially cause complications during pregnancy such as
increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth rate, or early delivery.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

16. Misconception #2: “Cancel your Gym Membership”
Fact:
Exercising during pregnancy will not increase the risk for complications during pregnancy.
Some of the benefits of exercising during pregnancy may include:
● Reduced back pain
● Eased constipation
● Strengthened heart and blood vessels
It is recommended that pregnant women should invest in moderate-intensity aerobic activity
for at least 150 minutes a week.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Exercise-During-Pregnancy

18. Misconception #3: “Skip the Coffee”
Belief:
Caffeine has been connected to potential miscarriages and preterm
birth because caffeine does cross the placenta.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

19. Misconception #3: “Skip the Coffee”
Fact:
It is safe to consume a moderate amount of caffeine daily which is about
200 milligrams of caffeine. It is important to realize that caffeine is not
only in coffee but tea, soda, hot chocolate and chocolate as well.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-
on-Obstetric-Practice/Moderate-Caffeine-Consumption-During-Pregnancy

22. After Pregnancy:
Misconception #1: Drinking while
Breastfeeding
Misconception #2: Losing the baby
weight
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

23. Misconception #1: Drinking while Breastfeeding
Belief:
Many believe that women should not drink any alcohol while
breastfeeding because there may be traces of the alcohol in the breast
milk and that might lead to a negative effect on the baby.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

24. Misconception #1: Drinking while Breastfeeding
Fact:
According to Amy Schutt, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and
gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine, “less than 2 percent of alcohol
that a mother drinks reaches her breast milk”.
It is safe to enjoy alcohol in moderation while breastfeeding.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 https://www.self.com/story/drinking-while-breastfeeding

25. Misconception #2: Losing the Baby Weight
Belief:
It is healthiest to lose excess baby weight as soon as possible after giving
birth through strict diet and exercise.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

26. Misconception #2: Losing the Baby Weight
Fact:
It is much healthier to not rush losing the weight. Focusing on eating
healthy is essential but it’s important to not restrict calories as it can
reduce the quality of the breast milk.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/expert-qa-losing-baby-weight#2

27. FACT
According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, mothers who breastfeed
have a reduced risk of:
● Breast cancer
● Ovarian cancer
● Two types of diabetes
Maternity Misconceptions 2018 https://ww5.komen.org/Breastcancer/Notbreastfeeding.html

28. As the maternity market continues to grow so do the misconceptions
surrounding it.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

29. If brands help debunk maternity myths instead of profiting off these
misconceptions, then the overall well-being of the mother and child will
improve.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018

30. PARTNERSHIP
Please take a look at the table to see partnership ideas for the maternity
market.
1. Tea Collection-Teavana
2. Prenatal Vitamins- Nature Made
3. Pregnant Cookbook- Giada De Laurentiis

31. Thank you.
Maternity Misconceptions 2018