Women can only become surrogates with SPS if they’ve already had a healthy pregnancy and have at least one child of their own living with them. However, sometimes years may pass between the birth of your child and the decision to become a surrogate, and it’s easy to forget some of the common health myths. Perhaps you may have actually believed some of them with your earlier pregnancy, too. On this page, we’ll give a quick refresher on some of the most common health myths for pregnant women, and explain why they’re totally busted.
1) Surrogates Must Eat for Two
Well, yes and no, say experts. As a surrogate, you would start your journey at a healthy weight or BMI, which would mean you need to take in about 300 extra calories per day. That’s not quite like “eating for two,” because one of you is quite small! To clarify, 300 calories is about what you might take in if you eat an apple with peanut butter or have half a sandwich with some skim milk.
2) Hot Baths Will Hurt the Baby
Hot baths are totally fine, says the American Pregnancy Association. In fact, they can be incredibly beneficial for keeping you relaxed and soothing sore muscles. The worry comes in more with hot tubs, which are typically programmed to be 104° F. Exposure to temperatures over 102° F during the first trimester of pregnancy is linked to increased risk of birth defects. In other words, you’ll want to steer clear of hot tubs, or limit heat exposure per the APA guidelines, but an average warm bath is ok.
3) You Should Cut Back on Exercise or Not Exercise at All
Naturally, this is one area you’ll want to talk with your fertility specialist about, because most surrogacies are considered high-risk and the physician may well want you to take it easy, especially in the beginning. However, as the pregnancy progresses, most women get a green light to resume their normal routines, provided the exercise doesn’t include certain positions or excessive heat. Provided the doctor gives his ok, exercise is good for you and the baby.
4) If You’re Not Having the “Perfect” Pregnancy, Something is Wrong
As surrogates, women are always looking for signs that things are progressing normally and that the baby is healthy. It’s understandable, considering you’re carrying someone else’s hopes and dreams, as well as a few of your own, no doubt. It’s easy to overanalyze situations, like if morning sickness is present or not present, and how it compares to earlier pregnancies. Interestingly, scientists are now linking a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin with morning sickness, and note that baby girls produce more than baby boys. Women who are sick enough to have been hospitalized for morning sickness for at least three days are 80% more likely to be carrying a girl. However, absence of morning sickness, even while carrying a girl, is not always cause for concern, nor is it somehow better to not be sick at all. Each pregnancy is unique, whether you feel wonderful and are over-the-moon ecstatic the whole time or fall somewhere else on the spectrum. Always defer questions or concerns to your physician, but know there is no “perfect” pregnancy.
Interested in Becoming a Surrogate?
If you haven’t already signed on with an agency and you’re considering becoming a surrogate, let SPS help you through the process. Our founder Cristie Montgomery created Surrogate Parenting Services after experiencing the process firsthand as a surrogate, and now has been involved in the births of hundreds of babies. Not only does she personally meet each and every surrogate, but she ensures all parties involved have the smoothest experience possible. To learn more and see if you’re a candidate, visit our “become a surrogate” page.
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