Today we bust 15 common pregnancy myths and superstitions that new Moms have been hearing for ages – and we do it with science!
When you’re pregnant for the first time, it’s a journey that’s filled with apprehension and excitement. For the first time in your life, you’re growing a human inside you! However, this is also a time when you’re going to be bombarded with information and opinions from every direction, and it can get overwhelming – fast!
Since a lot of this ‘advice’ is going to be rooted in superstition and myth, we’re going to break it down for you. Today, we’re busting 15 common pregnancy myths and superstitions, using science as our base!
15 Pregnancy Myths and Superstitions – Busted!
1. Saving up before sex will help you get pregnant
This is a common misconception but not only is it untrue, it can actually hurt your chances of getting pregnant. If you ‘save up’ all the sperm, the sperm that you do ejaculate will be older than if you were doing it frequently. For a good chance at pregnancy, it’s best to make sure your sperm is young and healthy.
2. Sex 14 days after your period will definitely get you pregnant
There are many women out there who’ll tell you this is not true! First of all, every woman’s menstrual cycle is unique to her. Secondly, there is no guarantee that you’ll get pregnant during the fertile window, although your chances are higher. Thirdly, you can get pregnant even outside this window, so you still have to use protection if you don’t want to get pregnant.
3. Tilting your pelvis after sex increases the chances of pregnancy
It may seem like gravity will help if you tilt your pelvis up but there is absolutely no scientific evidence to prove this. Sperm swim on their own towards the cervix, and do not need any external help!
4. You should eat for two
Ah, one of the most common and global pregnancy myths women have heard! When you’re pregnant, all you need are an extra 300 calories a day – certainly not double your usual consumption! Eating too much can be bad for you, as unnecessary weight gain can increase your chances of diabetes or hypertension, which can affect your pregnancy.
5. You should avoid cheese when pregnant
Well, this is partly true. Pregnant women can eat cheese, as long as it’s a pasteurized version like Swiss or cheddar. You should, however, avoid soft cheeses like blue cheese, brie or chevre since they may contain a bacteria called listeria that can hurt your unborn baby.
6. You should stay away from seafood
Again, this is one of those pregnancy myths that’s not entirely false. Seafood is a great source of nutrients for pregnant women, like iodine, selenium and Omega-3 fats. Good fish to include are salmon, anchovies and sardines. However, fish like swordfish, mackerel and tilefish should be avoided since they may have high amounts of mercury. In any case, pregnant women should stay away from raw fish like sushi.
7. You should cut out caffeine completely
Not really – small amounts of caffeine is perfectly fine. The ACOG says that it’s safe to have up to 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, which is about a small cup or two of coffee. Remember that caffeine amounts vary depending upon what you consume, and it’s also present in foods like soft drinks and chocolate.
8. You can’t take medicines while pregnant
So many women suffer through headaches and acidity when pregnant, thinking they can’t have any OTC drugs. While you must consult your doctor before consuming any medicine, most over-the-counter medications are considered safe during pregnancy, like the ones for headache, fever, acidity, heartburn or digestive issues. Again, always consult your doctor first, even if it’s a medicine you’re used to taking.
9. Herbal remedies are safe to take during pregnancy
Just because something has the label ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’ doesn’t mean it is harmless and safe for pregnant women. This is a general misconception, and a dangerous one too since most herbal products aren’t well-researched or subject to the same guidelines as other medications. Herbs are natural but still contain active substances that may cause miscarriage, uterine contractions or even premature birth. The American Pregnancy Association does not recommend herbal remedies for pregnant women, so it’s best to stay away.
10. You shouldn’t exercise while pregnant
This is another one of those pregnancy myths that have varying opinions. The general consensus is that exercise during pregnancy is fine unless you have a complication and have been specifically told to avoid working out. Avoid starting a strenuous new regimen, but continue with your pre-pregnancy routine. Walking, water exercises and pregnancy yoga are excellent options, but make sure to avoid balancing poses or hot yoga.
11. You cannot color your hair while pregnant
There’s nothing wrong with coloring your hair while pregnant, but you may want to wait till the second trimester just to be on the safe side. When coloring, choose dyes that are ammonia-free and opt for techniques that avoid the scalp – streaking, frosting, highlights or lowlights.
12. You shouldn’t have manicures during pregnancy
It’s perfectly fine to pamper yourself during pregnancy with a manicure! However, you need to follow a few tips, like choosing products that don’t have harmful chemicals like dibutyl phthalate. Make sure your manicure is done in a place with good ventilation so you don’t breathe in toxic fumes. Wear a mask and ensure all manicure tools are sterilized.
13. You can predict if you’re having a boy or a girl
I think most pregnancy myths and superstitions have to do with predicting the gender of the baby, like how your tummy lies, what kind of foods you crave, or even how fast the baby’s heart beats! None of these myths have any scientific basis, and the only way to find out the sex of the baby is by doing an ultrasound around the 20-week mark. However, make sure you know the laws of your country – fetal sex determination is illegal in countries like India and China.
14. You shouldn’t have sex during pregnancy
If your pregnancy is progressing normally without any complications, it’s perfectly fine to have sex! You may be asked to abstain if you have conditions like placenta previa, cervical weakness, an STD or a high risk of preterm labor or miscarriage. Sex in the last trimester may also help, as the hormones in sperm can soften the cervix for labor.
15. If you have heartburn, your baby will be born with lots of hair
This is one of those pregnancy myths that sounds strange, but which some really believe to be true! Like backaches, heartburn is common during pregnancy, mainly due to the relaxing of the sphincter muscle between the food pipe and the stomach. It increases on the consumption of certain foods and goes down when said foods are avoided.
At the end of the day, when it comes to pregnancy myths, listen to your doctor and your instincts. We talked to one of India’s leading gynecologists, Dr. Kiran Coehlo, who had this to say:
“In India, people have been giving advice since generations. While some of these might be true, others have no scientific backing, for example eating iron during pregnancy makes the baby dark. These myths vary from culture to culture and have been passed on from one generation to other. I would urge everyone to never pay heed to these myths, instead consult your doctor for everything and never indulge in self-medication. One must read as many books as possible to acquire knowledge about pregnancy, attend pre-natal workshops and ensure that whatever they do, they must never forget to enjoy their pregnancy.”
Remember, just because something has been done for generations, doesn’t mean it is right for you and your baby. When in doubt, always ask your doctor for advice, and certainly do not rely on social media reels and videos. Stay safe and have a happy pregnancy!
Prerna is the founder, editor and owner of ‘Maa of All Blogs’, one of India’s Top Parenting Blogs. Besides being a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, she is also a fashion designer and economics graduate.
When she’s not busy running her home and business, she ensures she stays active – whether it’s running the half marathon, completing the Oxfam walk or climbing to the Everest base camp. Prerna enjoys wearing all her hats, and she does so in style!
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