Debunking pregnancy myths

If you are pregnant, you might be receiving a lot of advice from well-meaning friends and family.  However, not all their advice may feel right to you. The following article clears some of the common myths you might hear. 

Myth: Eating certain foods during pregnancy can make your baby allergic to them, for instance, peanuts and dairy.

Truth: It’s perfectly safe to eat peanuts and dairy unless you are allergic to them or if your doctor advises you not to. 

However, pregnant women should avoid unpasteurized dairy products, raw meat or fish, raw or partly cooked eggs. 

Myth: You shouldn’t dye your hair while pregnant.

Truth: Using hair colour or ‘dye’ during pregnancy is not thought to cause harm to your baby. But you should be aware that your skin and hair may react differently to colouring agents than it did before you became pregnant. 

However, to be safe, some doctors advise women to avoid colouring their hair during pregnancy (at least during the first trimester). 

Myth: Cream and oils can help avoid stretch marks.

Truth: Stretch marks often fade with time. There is little proof to suggest that creams or oils can remove or prevent stretch marks. 

Myth: You need to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding.

Truth: There is no evidence to suggest that you need to prepare or toughen your nipples before birth. 

Myth: Your baby will stop moving just before you go into labour.

Truth: Your baby’s movements do not increase or decrease before labour. If you feel your baby isn’t active as usual, consult with your doctor.

Myth: Once you have a caesarean, you can’t give birth vaginally.

Truth: Many women have the option of having a vaginal birth after a previous caesarean. However, it depends on the reasons for your last caesarean and your health during this pregnancy. You should check with your doctor if vaginal birth is right for you. 

Myth: Mums bond instantly with their baby.

Truth: Skin-to-skin contact (the practice of placing the baby on the mother’s bare chest immediately after birth) can help with the bonding process. However, not all women feel bonded to their babies straight away. The truth is bonding takes time. 

Myth: Wide hips make childbirth easier.

Truth: You may have heard the expression ‘childbearing hips’. Many people believe that wide hips or large hips will make birthing easier. In reality, your hip size won’t tell you much about how easy (or difficult) childbirth will be. 

Myth: Childbirth is like what you see on TV.

Truth: Childbirth isn’t as dramatic as shown on TV and in movies. It’s imperative to get accurate information about labour and childbirth from your doctor.