8 Pregnancy Myths Debunked

Separating fact from fun on old wives’ tales about pregnancy

Old wives’ tales about pregnancy have been passed down from generation to generation. And chances are, if you’re pregnant, you’ve heard a few.

Carrying high? You must be having a girl. Dealing with heartburn? Your baby’s going to have a lot of hair. In many cases, hearing predictions about your baby is fun and harmless — and a good distraction while you wait to meet your new bundle of joy. But do any of these myths hold scientific weight?

Tiffany Jackson, a certified nurse midwife at Geisinger, shares what research has to say about these 8 common pregnancy myths.

“It’s all in good fun,” she says, “but just beware and stay clear of those that suggest you ingest something or contradict your provider’s advice and treatment that’s grounded in medical science.”

Pregnancy myth: Carrying high or low is a clue to the baby’s gender

Some claim you can tell your baby’s gender by whether you’re carrying high or low. If you’re carrying low, they’ll say you’re having a boy. Carrying high? They’re convinced it’s a girl.

The reality is, how you carry your baby depends on your body type, muscle tone, flexibility of your ligaments and the baby’s position. And the more babies you carry, the more lax the muscles in your pelvic floor become.

“If this isn’t your first pregnancy, you’ll likely carry lower because your stomach muscles have changed — they’re more elastic,” says Ms. Jackson. “If you’re carrying higher, it’s because your stomach muscles are less elastic.”

Pregnancy myth: Heartburn when pregnant? Your baby has a lot of hair

Having severe heartburn, according to some, means your baby will be born with lots of hair. And surprisingly, there’s some truth to this: Some studies like this one have found a correlation between mothers’ heartburn and babies’ hair growth. But other research indicates there’s no connection.

“It’s more likely that the heartburn is caused by the hormones that promote baby’s hair growth,” says Ms. Jackson. “These hormones cause your body to slow digestion and absorb nutrients better. So, it can take longer for the stomach to empty food, causing the acids to sit in there longer.”

Not to mention, your organs get displaced and crowded as your baby grows. The acid reflux you’re having is probably due directly to the fact your stomach has nowhere to expand, forcing acid up your esophagus.

Pregnancy myth: Your partner gained weight, so you’re having a girl

The story goes that if your partner puts on weight during your pregnancy, you’re having a baby girl. But this simply isn’t true. If your partner’s putting on weight, it likely has nothing to do with your pregnancy.

“This is different from sympathetic pregnancy, also known as couvade syndrome, where a male partner might have pregnancy-related symptoms,” says Ms. Jackson. “The symptoms a partner may get during sympathetic pregnancy include changes in sleeping patterns, nausea, heartburn, leg cramps, anxiety and depression.”

Pregnancy myth: Fetal heart rate is a good predictor of gender

Legend has it if your baby’s fetal heart rate is high, typically above 140 beats per minute (bpm), you’re having a girl, whereas a lower heart rate indicates a boy. This isn’t true, either.

A normal heart rate for a fetus ranges from 110 to 160 bpm. Your age and activity level, and your baby’s movement at the time of the visit can all affect it. In fact, your baby’s heart rate will probably differ from prenatal visit to prenatal visit. Bottom line? A healthy fetal heartbeat is all that matters.

Pregnancy myth: Craving salty snacks? It must be a boy

Some allege if you’re craving sweet treats like chocolate, cake, fruit or ice cream, you’re having a girl. But if you’re craving salty, savory items like meat, cheese or potato chips, you’re having a boy.

The reality is food cravings have more to do with hormonal changes and how the body absorbs nutrients during pregnancy than anything else. There’s no rhyme or reason to food cravings, and it’s typically based on the person.

Pregnancy myth: It’s not OK to take a bath when pregnant

We’ll come right out and say it: This one isn’t true. Bath time is no danger to your baby.

“Your womb insulates and protects your baby, so you have nothing to fear when taking a bath,” says Ms. Jackson.

This myth is based on old information about how the body works. And while the bathtub is fine, expecting people should stay away from saunas and hot tubs, where bacteria can thrive.

Pregnancy myth: Breastfeeding acts as birth control

People who don’t want to get pregnant soon after having a baby may trust old wisdom that says breastfeeding can serve as a form of contraception. As rumor has it, exclusively breastfeeding your baby every 4 hours for 6 months after they’re born will stop your body from ovulating.

This one is iffy. “While this may work for some people in delaying ovulation, it isn’t a foolproof form of contraception,” says Ms. Jackson. “If you don’t want to have another baby soon, it’s a good idea to use another form of birth control.”

Pregnancy myth: Sex when pregnant can hurt the baby

A number of myths go along with this one: “The baby will know! Sex can cause preterm labor! We can harm the fetus!” But overall, sex while pregnant is perfectly safe.

“Unless your pregnancy is high risk, any bleeding or cramping after sex is not abnormal,” says Ms. Jackson. “Of course, talk with your doctor about any concerns or questions you may have.”

Best resource for separating fact from fiction? Your doctor

While these (and other) old wives’ tales about pregnancy can offer comfort and a sense of belonging — and maybe even good entertainment — they should not replace informed medical advice.

“If you receive advice that you’re not sure about or have questions that pop up, your doctor is your best resource to offer you the safest, most up-to-date advice about your pregnancy,” says Ms. Jackson.

Trust your doctor to help you navigate any concerns you have along the way — whether or not they’re based on myths.