Inconsistent and often contradictory information

[Fitnik]

Why is it that there now seems to be too much information out there about pregnancy, what you should/ shouldn't eat etc..? I went to see a mid-wife last week for a pre-conception check-up (which might in fact have been a pre-natal one - will find out next week !!) and have been eating lots of spinach and oranges for folic acid for a couple of months now as well as taking a good quality pr-natal multivitamin. Yet she said that the folic acid in spinach isn't as well absorbed as that in brussel sprouts, cabbage etc.. (which I loathe with a passion)and that vitamins could be a waste of money.

Then there are such conflicting views about aerobic exercise when pregnant. I'm 28 and according to the 220 minus age formula, my MHR is 192 bpm and I should aim to be at about 163bpm max - but the fitter I get, the more likely I am not to feel as if I'm really working hard at that rate - I now find myself at about 180 bpm without even feeling breathless. If I'm pregnant, do I still use this perceived rate of exertion rather than what the numbers say?

Too much information out there!!!!

 

[FitMom]

Too much information, especially in pregnancy, can be a big problem! Do what you can to be healthy and fit before and during your pregnancy and leave it at that. You can't get so consumed with the little details. You will be a basket case by the end of your pregnancy...I promise! Our bodies are amazing! They see to it that our little babies are going to be taken care of, even if it has to take from us. You are doing extrememly well in preparing for your future baby. This baby is very very lucky to have such a loving mother who cares so deeply about his/her health. Orange juice in the morning should supply you will adequate Folic Acid to prevent spina bifida. I personally believe very strongly in vitamins. Now they may be a waste of money but then again, they may not.

Expecting Fitness and Exercising Through Your Pregnancy (I strongly recommend both books) both state that it's better to use the perceived exertion method over the standard heart rate method. When I was pregnant with Jillian and asked Cathe about this, she stated the same thing. This is due to the fact that we have an increased volume of blood (I believe it ends up to be 30% by the end of pregnancy but I could be wrong) during pregnancy therefore making it extremely easy to hit that 140 mark without doing much at all. In ETYP, he states that during one of his studies when the fit mother's to be first became pregnancy (before detection) they noticed a sudden elevation in their heart rates soon after they begun a workout. This became the first sign of pregnancy when they were monitoring these woman...... Something to think about.

Hope this helped a little.

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Mommy to Zachary, Jillian and Baby Katie due February 24, 2002​