One huge pregnancy myth involves how much additional food is really necessary to encourage the development of a healthy baby. While the old saying "eating for two" still applies, Bernstein reminds us we're not looking to feed two adults.
"The latest information tells us that the average woman needs only about 300 extra calories a day if they are of normal weight when they conceive," he says.
But the real news that's been gradually emerging in studies is that food intake, and particularly weight gain during pregnancy, is now viewed on a much more personalized basis.
"If you're very overweight when you get pregnant, then it's possible you should not add any additional calories to your diet, and it might even be OK if you lose a little bit of weight during pregnancy, particularly if this occurs because you have cut out all the junk food and switched to a healthier diet," says Bernstein.
One study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2007 showed that overweight women who gained less than the recommended 15 pounds during pregnancy actually had better pregnancy outcomes, with a lower risk of preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and abnormal-sized babies -- large or small.
At the same time, if you are underweight at conception, then you may have to add more than 300 calories a day and increase weight gain, just to get you up to speed to what your baby needs to grow strong and healthy, says Bernstein.
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