Exposed - 11 Pregnancy Myths You Shouldn't Believe
Created by Parentune Support Updated on Jul 24, 2020
Congratulations! You are pregnant! It is one of the most glorious times in a woman's life, a time that most have eagerly waited for. But while you enjoy all the pampering, and bask in the pregnancy glow, sometimes the joy gets marred by unnecessary anxiety, courtesy of a long list of do's and don'ts from well-intentioned family and friends (have you noticed that advice usually comes free?). All the talk about "don't eat this, don't wear that, don't go here, don't go there"can sometimes leave the expectant mother unsure of what is actually harmful, and what is just a myth.
We're sure you don't want that sort of stress during those precious nine months.So we rounded up some of the most common pregnancy myths and spoke to our experts to find out the truth behind them. Listed below are the myths that Dr. Rinku Sengupta Dhar, gynecologist and obstetrician, Sitaram Bhartia, helped us in debunking.
Myths About Pregnancy
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Eating saffron during pregnancy makes your baby fair skinned
Myth: This is not true at all, as no food, not even consuming saffron during pregnancy, can have any effect on the baby's skin. Baby's skin tone is determined by genetics
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Eating mangoes, pineapples, sesame seeds (til) or papayas can cause miscarriage
Myth: "Not true", says Dr. Dhar. "There is no medical evidence that these foods can cause harm to your baby," she adds. But it might be a good practice to refrain from consuming fruits that are known to be ripened with chemicals such as mangoes or eating fruits that can give you gastric discomfort. Ideally buy fruits carefully (you may consider going organic) and wash them thoroughly before consuming them so that you do not ingest chemicals or pesticides
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You should drink lots of milk
Myth:Two glasses of milk is enough to give you a good amount of calcium. In fact, it is better to consume other dairy products such as cheese or fresh home-made paneer rather than just depend on milk. It will bring a variety of nutrients to your body and also you will not get bored by the same food. Also, remember milk can sometimes cause gas or other stomach problems, so watch out and regulate your intake accordingly
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Avoid coffee, tea, alcohol and cigarettes
Fact: This is true as cigarettes can restrict the healthy blood flow to your foetus and harm it. But about tea and coffee, "as long as you take tea and coffee in moderation it is okay," says Dr. Dhar. If you cannot let go of your coffee cup, trythe de-caffeinated version. A glass of wine, occasionally, is all right
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Eat for two and have lots of fatty items such as ghee
Myth: Again, a very popular notion, this too is a myth. In the first few months, the foetus is as small as a pea, so how much can he eat, really? Dr. Dhar says the focus should be on eating healthy, eating well and eating frequently so that you do not have long gaps in between meals. Eating more than required will only pile on extra, unnecessary kilos. This is not healthy for the baby, either.
As far as ghee is concerned, if you enjoy it, you can continue enjoying it but there is no medical reason behind feeling pressurized into having it or downing it with milk. In fact, if you are scheduled for a C-section, it is best advised to refrain from excess as the fat layer can slow down the healing process of the stitches inside the tummy
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Avoid sleeping on your back
Fact: Though sleeping on your back is completely unavoidable, it is always advisable to sleep on your left side when you are pregnant. Dr. Dhar says, "Sleeping on your left side (or even right) helps in improving blood flow and hence flow of nutrients to the placenta. This is beneficial for the baby.
Sleeping on your side also helps your kidneys to eliminate waste products and fluids from your body more efficiently. This reduces swelling on your ankles, hands and feet," she adds. So pick your favorite side to sleep
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Standing near a microwave oven or sitting in front of a computer screen can cause radiation-
Fact/Myth:Though there is no scientific evidence for the same, try to limit exposure to these radiation appliances. Also, it is believed that heating food or liquids in microwave can destroy some essential nutrients, so you may want to go the older way of using a stove to heat your food
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Having intercourse may cause miscarriage-
Myth: Since your baby is protected by the amniotic sac and strong muscles of the uterus, there are hardly any chances of a miscarriage due to intercourse. However, in certain complications, such as a low placenta, your gynecologist may advise you to refrain from having sex during pregnancy. Also, she may advise you on using lubricants or protecting yourself from infections. Consult yourgynecologist as she is aware of your medical condition
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You should rest as much as possible and avoid climbing stairs-
Myth: Dr. Dhar says, "The more active you are, the better it is for you and your baby." Rest for two hours in the afternoon, get your eight-hour sleep in the night and do a bit of activity to sail through the nine months. Activity at this stage, will also help you keep fit post-delivery
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The shape of your belly, and morning sickness determines the gender of your child-
Myth: There is no way to determine the sex of the baby except through an ultrasound. No amount of morning sickness, or shape of the belly, baby's kicks, complexion and pallor of the mother, or the time of conceiving can predict the sex of the baby. And anyway, isn't the surprise always wonderful?
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Avoid bumpy roads and do not go out during an eclipse-
Myth: The baby is safe in the amniotic sac, so there are hardly any chances of hurting your little one, except that if the road is bit too bumpy you could sprain your back, so drive slow for your own comfort. Dr. Dhar says that there is no medical evidence that going out during an eclipse causes any harm to the foetus
When you're pregnant, you will be faced with advice (sometimes contradictory) from all quarters. Use your common sense, and when in doubt, consult your gynecologist, and be stress-free. We hope we helped ease some of your anxiety. Have a happy pregnancy!
Have any more myths about pregnancy to share? Let us know in the comments section, we'd love to hear from you!
This content has been checked & validated by Doctors and Experts of the parentune Expert panel. Our panel consists of Neonatologist, Gynecologist, Peadiatrician, Nutritionist, Child Counselor, Education & Learning Expert, Physiotherapist, Learning disability Expert and Developmental Pead.
| Sep 03, 2014
during my pregnancy I researched on a lot on net. As per doctor point of view nothing is cold or hot (thanda or garm). They wont stop you to have dry fruits or any other thing which our elder's suggested not to do or eat. But It is true... saffron make kids skin white... I hv seen one of south Indian friend who is quite dark complextion and his son is fair.. she had saffron during entire pregnancy. Our experience and doctor or scientific research would never match.
| Sep 03, 2014
your own behaviour during pregnancy like if you quite chirpy and happy during pregnancy baby would definitely healthy and happy going child. Whn I was pregnancy I used to keep quite as my husband went for long biz trip. My son since beginning he is quite and learn to speak very late. All are co-related. That's y elders days you should think good, be happy and do good.. shud read some vedas.. good books etc.... it really effect kids. But no doctor wud suggest you this. Climbing stairs shud avoid as baby comes down and early delivery cud happen. A recent case with my collegue.... she delievered a baby at 6. 5 months... she was very active climbing.. doing all things easily. Suddenly one day she started felling uneasy... and she left from office and after 2 hrs she delivered baby of 1kg...
| Jun 04, 2015
Myth 1: One of the most common myths that surround pregnancy is the shape of a woman's stomach. If a woman is carrying high, in all possibility it is a girl and if she is carrying low it is a boy. Fact: Experts say there is no scientific basis for this assumption and it is the woman's muscle size, structure, the position of the foetus, posture, and the amount of fat deposited around her abdomen that play a role in the size and shape of a pregnant belly. Myth 2: Craving for salty foods means you're having a boy. Craving for sweet foods indicate a girl is expected. Fact: Research shows that cravings have nothing to do with determining the sex of a baby. Myth 3: Another myth is predicting the sex of the baby by holding a string with a ring in it over a pregnant belly. If it moves back and forth it is a boy, if it moves in a circle, it is a girl. Fact: While there is no truth in this, you could probably do it for a laugh. Myth 4: If you suffer from heartburn during pregnancy, it means your baby will be born with lots of hair. Heartburn is a common problem for pregnant women and have nothing to do with the quantity of hair for your child. Fact: Even women who suffered a lot from heartburn have welcomed bald babies. Myth 5: If your mother had an easy pregnancy and delivery, so will you. Fact: Hereditary factors have no role to play in predicting how easy or difficult your pregnancy and delivery will be. On the contrary, the size and position of the baby, your diet and lifestyle play a role in determining how things will be. Myth 6: Sleeping or taking a nap on your back will hurt your baby. Fact: While you won't harm your baby if you sleep in this position, you will feel better if you sleep on your side. Experts recommend sleeping on your left side since this is known to increase blood flow to your uterus and placenta. Myth 7: Having sex might hurt the baby. Fact: You should know that seven layers of skin from the abdominal wall to the amniotic sac are present to protect your baby. Your cervix has lengthened and hardened to prevent anything from getting into the uterus, and it also produces mucus to keep the area clean and infection free. Having sex cannot reach, touch or harm your baby. If your doctor has not asked you to abstain from sex, have no fear and go ahead. Myth 8: First babies always arrive late. Fact: While this is true to an extent since about 60 per cent arrive after their due date, five per cent on the due date and 35 before the due date, what really determines the arrival of your baby is the length of your menstrual cycle. If it is shorter, there are more possibilities of you delivering early. If your cycle is longer, your baby will arrive later and if your cycle usually lasts 28 days, you will more likely deliver close to your due date.
| Jul 11, 2015
I don't fully agree with you as my gynecologist has advised most of the thing you have said as myth and it is very unfortunate that would be MOM may get complication if she dont follow so called myth. I would advise you to not brag about thing which can cause harm to would be MOM and which is myth or not can be debatable and gynecologist themself recommend them to people with complication . Not at all good idea to present something as myth when they are debatable.
| May 26, 2017
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