Pregnancy FAQs

From old wives’ tales to the ever-changing information found on the internet, women today encounter endless information about pregnancy. Whether you’re a mum-to-be, a new mum or you’ve got a few older kids of your own, there’s no doubt that you’ve got a range of questions relating to the many different aspects of pregnancy. While you may have seen lots of advice or been told to avoid cats, baths, or dying your hair, some suggestions are more a cause for confusion than concern. In this article, we’re answering some common pregnancy FAQs to bust the myths wide open. 

1. How early can you test for pregnancy?

There are two ways you can test for pregnancy: a blood test, or a urine test. Both tests are looking for the same thing, a hormone called hCG (or as the medical professionals know it, human chorionic gonadotropin), which is produced in early pregnancy. Blood tests are usually more sensitive than urine tests, so can be done earlier if there’s a specific reason to identify your pregnancy very early.

• Blood tests can detect pregnancy as early as 11-14 days after ovulation. This is usually around 25-28 days after the first day of your last menstrual period, if you have a normal length cycle. If you need or want a blood test, this will need to be obtained through your doctor.
• Urine tests can detect pregnancy around 14 days after ovulation, or around 28 days after the first day of your last menstrual period for people with a fairly regular cycle. Some home urine tests are sold as ‘early detection’; these may be able to detect pregnancy prior to missing your period, but typically the advice is to test on the first day after missing your period, and using the first urine of the day when hCG tends to be the most concentrated if it’s present.

2. How to know the baby’s sex without ultrasound?

Are old wives’ tales for predicting the sex of your baby accurate? Unfortunately not, but they can be a lot of fun anyway! It’s not possible to accurately and 100% guess the baby’s sex by analysing their position in your belly, the cravings you’re experiencing or the quality of your skin. Though fun, attaching a ring to a string and hanging it over your belly will also give unreliable results. This doesn’t mean you can’t have fun trying to make guesses about your new arrival at your baby shower, but don’t count on them being accurate!

3. Is it safe to eat peanuts and other common allergens during pregnancy?  

Introducing your little one to new foods can be nerve-racking. Babies and toddlers can develop food allergies at any age, and it can happen at any exposure, not necessarily the first time. The culprit? An immune system incorrectly identifying food proteins as threats and reacting to them.

4. But what does this have to do with pregnancy? Is it safe to eat allergenic foods during pregnancy?

There is currently no evidence against eating peanuts or other common allergenic foods during your pregnancy, although this is a topic being researched at the moment. Unless you’ve been advised by your doctor to avoid specific foods or you yourself are allergic, there’s no reason to forgo allergens while you’re pregnant.

5. Should you eat for two during pregnancy?   

Probably not, but every person is unique. While you’re pregnant, your calorie needs increase a bit, but they don’t typically double. Your body is more efficient during pregnancy and absorbs more nutrients, so while you may need to increase your calorie intake slightly, consuming twice as much food may not be ideal for your personal nutritional needs. Make sure to consult with your doctor about eating food that’s personalised to your own circumstances.

6. Does morning sickness only happen in the morning?

We wish! Unless you’re one of the lucky ones, nausea can strike any time throughout the day or night. It’s most common and most severe during the first trimester, and usually eases as you enter the second trimester.

7. How to stop morning sickness in early pregnancy?

While there’s no real way to prevent morning sickness in early pregnancy, as it’s likely the result of significant hormonal changes in the body, there are some remedies and methods for helping ease the symptoms of morning sickness.

1. Small, frequent meals: Many women find an empty stomach triggers nausea, so having small, frequent meals can help alleviate some symptoms of mild nausea during pregnancy. Hot tip: have some plain crackers or similar next to your bed for you to snack on before you get moving for the day!
2. Vitamin B6: B6 supplements can help reduce feelings of nausea and are a great preventative. However, it’s important to speak with your GP or pharmacist before taking it for nausea, as going over the recommended dose can have serious side effects and the cause of your morning sickness may be coming from something else.
3. Ginger: Ginger has been shown to be helpful for managing morning sickness. Ginger is used for all sorts of stomach upset, especially for sea sickness and is a natural way to help soothe your stomach during the first few months of pregnancy.
4. Medication: For many women, morning sickness can become quite unbearable, with intense bouts of nausea keeping you from going about your day. If symptoms persist and you don’t gain any relief from other remedies, speak to your GP about stronger nausea medication.

8. Can you exercise when pregnant?

The short answer is yes, you can work out while you’re pregnant. The slightly longer answer is still yes, but it will depend on your pre-pregnancy activity levels. Pregnancy is not the time to learn a new physical skill or embark on a new high intensity fitness program.

There are many benefits to being active throughout your pregnancy, so if you were already active you should be able to continue exercising in your preferred way (although you may find you need to modify things along the way to accommodate your changing body). If you were not very active prior to pregnancy, you may wish to begin gentle walking or stretching – in any case, it’s best to work with your healthcare team to support your changing body and needs throughout pregnancy, as they will consider your wellness holistically as you progress.

9. When do I go to the doctor during pregnancy?

Finding out you’re pregnant can be an emotional time. Whether it’s something you were hoping for, or something you’re not sure how you feel about it, sooner is always better when you suspect you’re pregnant. Getting into your GP as soon as possible will allow you to:

• Confirm your pregnancy.
• Consider options moving forward, such as preferred model of care.
• Get any referrals needed to manage your health with relevant specialists.

At your first appointment, you may be given a blood test to confirm your pregnancy as well as working out the possible ‘guess date’ for when you might be able to expect your baby to arrive, and how far along you are. If you know the date of your last menstrual period, have that jotted down somewhere as it’s a question you’ll be asked in that appointment.

Don’t be surprised if the first appointment is very basic – this first part is just about seeing if you are pregnant, checking in with your physical and mental wellbeing as it relates to pregnancy, and getting any relevant referrals ready.

10. What is baby brain?

‘Baby brain’ is a term used to refer to a pregnant woman's experience of ‘brain fog’ or forgetfulness. It’s controversial as to whether it’s a real phenomenon, or whether it’s simply a result of pregnant people having so much on their mind that some details fall through the cracks. 

If you feel a bit more forgetful than normal, rest assured you aren’t alone, and it won’t last forever – you’ll feel like yourself again one day! If you’re feeling particularly concerned by the symptoms, or it’s interfering with daily life, book a visit with your healthcare provider so they can explore other possible causes with you.

While there are many, many questions a parent-to-be will have, we hope that you’ve found some helpful answers and tips to feel confident on your journey towards parenthood. Discover the vast collection of baby and nursery items online from Baby Bunting today.