Quiz: Pregnancy Myths

Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Quiz: Pregnancy Myths
Image: John Kelly/The Image Bank/Getty Images

About This Quiz

For whatever reason, pregnancy has fueled a huge number of myths over the years. So much so that it's easy to imagine pregnancy is all these so-called "old wives" had time to talk about!
Should you avoid changing the cat litter when you're pregnant?
Only in your last trimester
Yes. Avoid the family cat, too.
You can change the litter, but wear gloves.
Yes, but the risk is probably pretty small.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yes, but the risk is probably pretty small. Toxoplasmosis, a virus that can damage a developing fetus, may be present in your cat's litter box, on his paws and fur, and even in your carpeting, but it's rare in indoor cats.

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Should pregnant women avoid carrying anything heavy?
Yes. Avoid carrying anything weighing more than 25 pounds.
No. Weight-bearing exercise builds strength and endurance.
Yes, but only in the last month or two of pregnancy.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yes. The body of a pregnant woman is adapting to lots of internal changes, including increased weight. This puts her at risk for dizziness, inadvertent clumsiness and potential spills, which can be very serious. To play it safe, avoid lifting anything weighing more than 25 pounds.

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Should a pregnant woman stop eating fish?
No. Fish contain many important nutrients.
Yes. Fish contains high concentrations of mercury and other chemicals
It depends. Eating some fish may have benefits that outweigh the risks.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It depends. Although mercury does pose a risk to the developing fetus, eating fish has potential benefits that shouldn't be overlooked, such as lots of Omega 3 fatty acids that help the baby's brain develop and work to control the mother's blood pressure during pregnancy. Smaller, younger fish contain less mercury and are a safer bet. Swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel should be avoided during pregnancy, and consumption of Albacore tuna should be kept to 6 ounces per week or less.

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Is carrying the baby low an indication that it will be a boy?
Yes. Everyone knows that.
No. Gender has nothing to do with it.
Sometimes. If the baby is large, it may be carried lower, and boys are often larger at birth.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No. The way a woman carries her pregnancy has to do with her body type, height and whether or not she's had other children. Gender has nothing to do with it.

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Should a woman gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy?
Yes. A weight gain of 25 pounds is considered the normal.
No. Although the average amount of weight gain during pregnancy has increased in the United States over the last decade, 25 pounds is considered too much.
There's no standard weight index for pregnancy. It's a matter each woman should discuss with her doctor.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's no standard amount of weight a woman should gain during pregnancy, although in her final trimester the baby will gain around a half a pound each week.

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Is it easier to get pregnant the second time?
Only if your first baby wasn't premature.
Yes. You're more likely to get pregnant faster the second time around.
Yes. Especially during the summer months.
No. Your chances are the same whether you've had children or not.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yes. You're more likely to get pregnant faster the second time around. Couples with kids conceive about twice as fast as those without children -- around six months as opposed to a year or more.

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If your male partner has brothers, are you more likely to have a boy?
Yes. Lots of boys means a genetic disposition to have male children.
No. Gender selection is usually pretty random.
Maybe. If there are lots of brothers on both sides of the family, it could mean you're more likely to have a male child.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No. Although the sperm contribution determines the sex of the baby, the process is pretty random. The number of boys (or girls) in the family isn't a useful clue.

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Are people becoming less fertile?
Yes. In developing countries low fertility is a growing problem.
No. There's no reason to believe people are becoming less fertile.
Maybe. There are currently studies underway evaluating the issue.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No. There's no reason to believe people are becoming less fertile. Many couples are starting their families later in life and pushing the envelope on what has traditionally been considered a woman's reproductive years.

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Does sexual position influence gender?
Yes. Sex in the missionary position is more likely to result in having a girl.
Yes. Sex in the missionary position is more likely to result in having a boy.
Yes. Sex in the missionary position is more likely to result in having twins.
No. Different sexual positions have no impact on a baby's gender.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No. Different sexual positions have no impact on a baby's gender.

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Should pregnant women avoid hot baths?
Kind of. Bathing in water warmer than 98 degrees F can be harmful.
Yes. Bathing is less healthy for the fetus than showering.
No. In fact, hot baths are relaxing and can reduce muscle and joint pain.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kind of. Bathing in water warmer than 98 degrees Fahrenheit (36.6 degrees Celsius) can be harmful, but temperatures below that can reduce swelling, increase amniotic fluid and even prevent early contractions.

FINISH QUIZ

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