Empowering Filipino moms against common pregnancy myths

MANILA, Philippines - When you’re pregnant, you have to eat for two; you can’t run, swim or do yoga for the benefit of a baby’s health; and coffee can increase your risk of miscarriage.

These may sound logical, but believe it or not, these are some of the most common pregnancy myths around. So how do you distinguish fact from myth?

Listening to Wyeth ProMama’s team of fit and fab mamas Amanda Griffin-Jacob, Delamar Arias, and Tricia Chiongbian-Concepcion is a good place to start.  The team is joined by respected pregnancy experts Dr. Christia Padolina and Dr. Angel Bandola, who are tasked to empower expectant moms against pregnancy myths and misconceptions.  The road from feeling fat to being PHAT — pregnant, hot and trendy — begins now.

 â€œPregnant mothers hear things like ‘You can’t exercise’ or ‘You can’t travel because it may harm your baby.’ These are things that confuse first-time moms, making them believe that there are so many ‘can’ts’ during pregnancy,” says ProMama product manager Gino Anonuevo. 

She adds, “Expectant mothers can say, ‘Yes!’ to a lot of things that they feel or have heard they can’t.”

The ProMama council of fit and fab moms Amanda Griffin-Jacob, Delamar Arias and Tricia Chiongbian-Concepcion are walking testaments to the fact that life is further enriched by pregnancy. Tricia, a known health enthusiast, still continues on with her fit lifestyle that includes running a couple of miles a day in spite of expecting her second child this September. Delamar who’s part of a popular radio show, doesn’t let morning sickness or hormones tone done her natural exuberance and humor in hosting her program. And two-time mom Amanda Griffin-Jacob hasn’t succumbed to what she calls the “mommy meltdown” and is still considered to be one of the most beautiful faces in Philippine showbiz.

“Every pregnancy should be celebrated,” says Amanda. “Women should feel nurtured by doing the things that can make them feel confident. Being fit and fab during pregnancy should be every expecting mother’s goal!”

If there’s one thing that’s definitely not a myth, it’s the fact that pregnant women should take special care of their nutritional needs.

Wyeth Nutrition, makers of ProMama, understands this, and wants every woman to fully enjoy the journey of pregnancy. A nutritional milk drink designed to support women — and not just the unborn baby —during pregnancy,  ProMama focuses on the life giver to address the needs of both mother and child.

Only ProMama contains the Pro-Nutri builders, ingredients that support the health and development of both mother and child during pregnancy.  These include maternal immunity enhancers like beta carotene, which has antioxidant and immune-stimulatory properties, and Vitamins C, E, and A, which also helps promote good vision and cellular growth.

Pro-Nutri builders are also targeted for the growing baby. ProMama has mental enhancers like DHA, a nutrient important for a child’s visual and mental development; folic acid, which is essential for the development of the nervous system and in preventing neural tube defects; and zinc, which assists in fetal neurodevelopment. ProMama’s formula also contains bone and muscle builders such as vitamin D, important for calcium metabolism and to support an unborn baby’s bone and teeth development; protein, the building block of all tissues; and calcium, which supports bone development. 

ProMama, which is available in Vanilla Delight flavor, only has 15 percent of calories from fat. Just two servings of ProMama daily can help promote appropriate weight gain during pregnancy.