Congratulations! You are expecting!! Well, I bet many people are in the queue to congratulate you, to bless you and of course, to advise you. Be ready ladies, because along with those blessings and recommendations you are about to receive a lot of unsolicited suggestions from those “experienced and well- meaning people”. Let us be aware of them all.

Myth 1: You need to say no to sweets

While some women crave sweets during their pregnancy, few are advised not to have it even without providing any legitimate reason to follow this rule. In fact, various researches have made it clear that while being pregnant, the consumption of chocolate can be proved beneficial in many ways, however the amount of sugar consumed should be limited. One of the many benefits of eating sugar during the third trimester is less risk of falling prey to preeclampsia, a high blood pressure condition. So, unless you have gestational diabetes or your doctor has advised you to not consume any sugar, there is no harm in having your favorite dessert occasionally.

Myth 2: You can’t exercise

This is the most common misconception that is followed blindly by many women. According to them, exercising can result in many complications and can also lead to miscarriages. However, the truth is, not only can being physically active benefit the pregnant woman but it also can be really helpful for her fetus. Physical activities during pregnancy keeps the heart rate of the baby active and that can certainly be a good start to better cardiovascular health. It also has various benefits for the pregnant mother.

Myth 3: You need to get rid of your favorite pet

I know it sounds absurd as well as hilarious but many well-experienced people would suggest you keep a distance from your furry four-legged companions while you are expecting. There is nothing like the truth in this statement. The only advice you should follow is allotting the duty of handling cat’s littering to someone else. You need to avoid this duty as the cat’s litter contains a parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis.

Myth 4: You can’t dye or color your hair

Expecting women are also refrained from dyeing or colouring their hair due to the fear that these products contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. But the fact is, few researches have been conducted regarding this and they show that those chemicals are mild and quite safe to use in pregnancy. These light doses of chemicals have no chance to cause any harm to you or your baby.

Myth 5: Creams like Cocoa butter reduce stretch marks

Many pregnant ladies would wish this was true but unfortunately, this too is just a myth. These products do not consist of any such properties that can heal stretch marks. Instead of getting rid of them you should embrace those marks as they are natural and cannot be avoided. However, if you are desperate to get rid of them, keep using your regular skin care products after the birth of your child and remain patient because they take time to heal.

Myth 6: Pregnant women should eat for two!

Seriously! This is something which every soon-to-be-mother has been advised to do. And you will be amazed to know that no evidence is available to back this statement up. Many health experts suggest that the diet totally depends on the mother’s weight and height. Other factors such as intensity of activity also determine your diet. Generally, it is recommended that a pregnant woman needs to add an extra 300 to 400 calories per day in their diet. That means an extra fruit or a hard-boiled egg would serve the purpose. Overeating is something you should avoid.

Myth 7: The baby’s gender can be predicted without an ultrasound too!

Some conventional people assert that the shape of the belly can reveal whether the baby will be a boy or a girl. I have even seen people making arrangements for their upcoming child after predicting the child’s gender. Not only this, there are many other silly predictions like associating the severe morning sickness to the birth of a girl and having a big appetite that tells you that you are
carrying a boy. Doctors have debunked these myths many times.

Myth 8: One glass of alcohol/wine won’t do any harm

Well, this myth is something that seriously needs to be questioned. Pregnancy is that stage in which alcohol is a clear no-no. Even a small amount of it can be harmful and can create complications in your pregnancy.