● Many popular beliefs about pregnancy are outdated or based on misinformation.
● Misinformation can cause stress, confusion, and poor health decisions during pregnancy.
● Reliable support comes from medical professionals, not random online sources.
● Staying informed helps you filter out noise and feel more confident.
You’ve handled cleaning, drying and storing, but how can you maintain how great it looks? Doing a few things differently, focused on keeping your clothes around longer, can make a big difference.
A good idea is to not wear your most delicate garments too often. Your go-to blouse can be stylish always, but using it less and giving other garments some attention lets your clothes maintain their shape. Even gently looking after your clothes adds up with repeated washes or wearing.
Dealing with cashmere or silk is much easier when you have a garment bag on hand. Buy cotton sleeping bags instead of plastic and make sure to put them somewhere dark in a dry environment. Pregnancy will change you in every way, including your body, your feelings and your mind. However, there is always an abundance of helpful (sometimes not so helpful) comments being offered when we expect a baby. Everyone, from close family to random people at the store and on social media, often tells you what your parenting should look like. What’s the problem? Much of what you have heard may not be entirely based on accurate information.
A number of these beliefs are harmless, some are no longer relevant and others may cause you problems. How can you distinguish between truth and an outdated story you’ve heard before?
We’re debunking 10 common myths about pregnancy, sharing the facts from science and helping you feel more sure of yourself. We’ll sort fact from fiction, as you deserve help that empowers you, not makes things more confusing.
The Advice That Comes with Pregnancy
The minute someone finds out you’re expecting, it changes things. Everyone feels entitled to comment on your body. Input from your relatives about pregnancy can be nice until you see every other pregnancy expert on TikTok sharing advice. And honestly? Sometimes exhausting.
Why is there so much opinion surrounding pregnancy? This happens mostly because everyone can relate to it in one way or another. Almost all of us understand pregnancy, either by experiencing it or following the journey of someone close. Add these to the usual mix of old superstitions and online echoes and you’ll end up confused.
The most important fact is that expectant parents have few defenses. Wanting to do everything right, you’re more willing to accept advice that may still be wrong. That’s the reason why lies are able to circulate so freely on these platforms.
Find out who is giving you advice and which suggestions are worth listening to, before doing anything else. You shouldn’t assume every comment is wrong, but understanding how to ignore unwanted comments takes the pressure off.
How to Get Real Information
If looking up symptoms on the internet at night ever worried you, you’re not the only one. You can find a lot of information about pregnancy on the internet, but it’s often hard to trust any of it. That responsibility alone would be a career for many people.
Some of it is harmless or even positive, but more often than not, the loudest voices aren’t as well informed. It’s why you should rely on the findings from studies and guidelines from experts.
If you own a valued or sentimental piece such as a wedding dress or ancestral shawl, it’s better to ask an expert about preserving it. Museum-quality materials help them correctly clean, wrap and pack clothes for safe long-term storage.
Even though you might think about cleaning by yourself, professionals may be your best choice for fragile pieces. It’s very important to locate a cleaner with experience in textiles who can distinguish between the two types of cleaning. Different businesses have different quality, so don’t be afraid to ask before using their services.
This is where getting trusted pregnancy advice becomes essential. Rather than relying on hearsay or influencers without medical backgrounds, lean on sources backed by experience and education. That could mean your OB-GYN, a certified midwife, or even a prenatal educator from a local clinic. These are the people who’ve seen it all, who can spot outdated myths a mile away, and who will tailor their guidance to your specific needs.
Even better? Local providers offer support that’s often more personalized. They understand the context of your healthcare system, your access to resources, and the unique challenges in your area. That kind of insight is hard to find in a one-size-fits-all blog or video online.
The goal isn’t to shut out every other voice — just to know which ones to prioritize. When you build a foundation of credible information, you’re better equipped to tune out the noise and focus on what matters: your well-being and your baby’s.
10 Common Pregnancy Myths Debunked
You’ve probably heard at least one of these — maybe even all ten. They’re passed around like well-worn family recipes, often with the best intentions. But science says otherwise. Let’s break them down:
1. You can’t exercise while pregnant
Nope. Unless your doctor has advised against it for specific medical reasons, moderate exercise during pregnancy is not only safe but also encouraged. Staying active can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and even ease labor.
2. Heartburn means your baby will have lots of hair
This one’s popular and oddly specific, but it’s more myth than fact. While one small study did suggest a possible link, most cases of heartburn are due to hormonal changes and your growing uterus pressing on your stomach, not a hairy baby.
3. You should eat for two
This phrase has stuck around forever, but it’s misleading. You need extra calories during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, but it’s nowhere near double. Overeating can lead to unnecessary weight gain and complications.
4. All pregnancy cravings mean something
Craving pickles and peanut butter doesn’t mean your baby will love salty snacks. Cravings are real, but their meanings aren’t always. Hormonal shifts, not nutritional deficiencies, often cause them.
5. Morning sickness only happens in the morning
Wouldn’t that be nice? Unfortunately, “morning” sickness can hit at any time of day. For some, it’s worse in the morning. For others, it sticks around all day or shows up at night. Every pregnancy is different.
6. You must avoid all caffeine
You don’t have to cut caffeine completely. Most health experts agree that moderate caffeine intake — about 200 mg daily, or one 12-ounce cup of coffee — is generally safe during pregnancy. Just be mindful of other sources like chocolate and soda.
7. You can’t fly during pregnancy
In most cases, flying is perfectly safe until around 36 weeks. It’s always smart to check with your healthcare provider first, especially if you’re experiencing complications or carrying multiples.
8. Ultrasounds are harmful to the baby
Not true. When appropriately performed by trained professionals, ultrasounds are a safe and essential part of prenatal care. They help monitor your baby’s development and catch potential issues early.
9. Your belly shape tells the baby’s gender
As fun as it is to guess, there’s no scientific link between how you carry and whether it’s a boy or girl. The shape of your belly has more to do with your body type, muscle tone, and the baby’s position.
10. Natural birth is always better than a C-section
Every pregnancy and birth is unique. While vaginal births are often ideal, C-sections can be life-saving for both parent and baby. What’s “better” is whatever keeps you both healthy and safe.
The Consequences of Believing Misinformation
Some of these myths may seem acceptable when you first see them. However, receiving incorrect information during pregnancy often has real effects for both a mother and her baby.
It starts off by triggering unnecessary worry. If all you hear is advice that contradicts your gut, so much worry can quickly get you down. You don’t want any extra stress in your life when you’re raising a new life.
Misinformation may cause you to decide poorly for your safety. It isn’t safe to skip prenatal pills based on something a friend told you, stay inactive because of an old belief about miscarriage or wait on a doctor visit when everyone on your timeline insists it isn’t urgent.
Unrealistic expectations can also negatively impact people’s emotions. If you think some event will take place during pregnancy and it doesn’t, it can be very disappointing. It isn’t always obvious that you’re doing something right if you were never clear on the rules.
With information moving quickly today, it’s important to be both interested and careful to protect yourself. It’s easy to believe myths when they are presented with confidence. But in reality? Often, it isn’t as simple as it sounds — but it’s much more reassuring if it’s from an expert.
What You Should Rely on Going Forward
After sorting through a dozen common myths and identifying the false ones, the next thing to do is put together a set of tools you can turn to. You don’t have to know every answer (nobody does), but you can identify useful advice more easily.
Start by getting to know questions. Really — talk to your doctor, midwife, doula or anyone who supports you. They’ve probably encountered all sorts of rumors and can clarify which are false and which to believe.
After that, become familiar with your books by skimming their tables of contents. Did a professional video maker or an expert with this topic create that Instagram reel? References to actual studies can tell us if it is reliable or if it’s like other articles full of myths with attractive visuals. A bit of background research gets you a lot of information.
Learning can go on outside of your regular visits to the doctor. Trustworthy, personal info about pregnancy and parenting can be found in prenatal classes, groups in the community and online Q&A sessions with specialists. When you fill your life with prominent thinkers, you’ll stop spending your mental energy on trivial things.
Basically, trusting what is real allows you to ignore all the added confusion. Concentrating on information, rather than worries, helps you feel calmer and more confident during pregnancy.
Conclusion
There are so many stories, suggestions and misconceptions when you are pregnant, yet your body is busy going through the most complex process it ever will. Just because everyone means well doesn’t mean every bit of advice should sway you.
There is good news, though. It’s not only trial and error when it comes to your health. It’s helpful to get guidance that clears your doubts, not adds to them. Even if someone starts a myth you’ve heard before, you can now stay calm, smile and ignore it.
In fact, trusting what your instincts say in combination with the facts leads to the best decisions.