20 Pregnancy Myths My Patients Ask Me About (and the Facts)
Can you eat papaya? Must you eat for two? A gynaecologist sorts fact from folklore on the 20 most persistent pregnancy myths.
Ask any pregnant woman in Nepal and she has heard a dozen "rules" from well-meaning relatives. Here are the ones I address most, with the evidence behind each answer.
Food myths
1. "You must eat for two." False. You need roughly 300 extra calories a day in the third trimester — one extra balanced meal, not double portions.
2. "Papaya causes miscarriage." Ripe papaya is fine in normal amounts. The folklore is about unripe papaya latex; the practical risk is negligible, but if in doubt, avoid unripe papaya.
3. "Avoid all coffee." Under 200mg caffeine daily (about one small cup) is accepted by major obstetric bodies.
4. "Desi ghee makes the baby fair." No. Baby skin tone is genetics. And no ghee can change that.
5. "Eating turmeric will cause abortion." No evidence at culinary amounts. Spice away.
6. "Don't eat sesame/jaggery." No evidence of harm; they're nutritious in normal use.
Activity myths
7. "Don't lift anything heavy." Lifting your toddler is fine. Repeated heavy industrial lifting isn't ideal. Moderation, not panic.
8. "Don't exercise." Actually the opposite: walking, swimming and prenatal yoga improve outcomes. Avoid contact sports and skydiving.
9. "Don't raise your hands above your head." This is pure folklore; no risk.
10. "Air travel is unsafe." Flying is fine for most women up to 36 weeks, with a doctor's note and DVT precautions. Ask if you have high-risk conditions.
Baby myths
11. "Heartbeat below 140 means a boy." Gender is determined at conception; heart rate tells nothing about it.
12. "Your baby only cries when you are stressed." Babies feel your heartbeat and voice, but occasional stress doesn't harm them. Chronic, untreated distress deserves real support.
13. "Baby position can be turned by exercises alone." Some positions help, some turn is spontaneous. Beware "web" claims that promise breech reversal.
14. "If you had one C-section, all births will be C-sections." Many women safely deliver vaginally after one C-section (VBAC). Plan it with care.
Health myths
15. "Morning sickness means the baby is safe." It's a good sign for many, but its absence means nothing.
16. "Pain in late pregnancy is always labour." Braxton Hicks contractions are practice contractions. Time them.
17. "High BP is 'just pregnancy BP'." Gestational hypertension needs monitoring. Never ignore raised BP.
18. "You can't take any medicine in pregnancy." Some medicines are unsafe, but many — iron, folic acid, some antibiotics, asthma inhalers — are essential and safe. Ask, don't guess.
19. "Normal deliveries are more painful than C-sections." Different pains; both are manageable with modern care. Choose based on medical need, not fear.
20. "The 20-week scan decides everything." The anomaly scan is a milestone, not a guarantee. Routine check-ups continue for a reason.
The best "myth-buster" is your doctor. If a rule feels wrong, or someone is shaming you with one, bring it to the next visit — we'll answer it properly.
This article is written by Dr. Yogita and reviewed for accuracy. It is for general information and does not replace a consultation. If you have concerns about your health, book an appointment with Dr. Yogita.