Now that your pregnancy is likely to be out there, you might sometimes feel like putting your hands over your ears and shouting “la la la la la!” to fend off all the well-meaning but unsolicited advice. The truth is, if you listened to every single pregnancy myth, you’d be too petrified to leave the house. So, in the interest of reassurance, we thought we’d sift through some of the biggest pregnancy rumours out there - and sort the wheat from the chaff.
Pregnancy Myths Debunked
Let's sift through some of the biggest pregnancy rumours out there - and sort the wheat from the chaff.
“Ooh, you’re going on holiday? But it’s not safe to fly when you’re pregnant…”
Assuming you’re talking about boarding an aeroplane and not constructing your own wings, flying while pregnant is generally fine. After week 28 (or before this if you look more heavily pregnant than you actually are. Our commiserations), you will need a letter from your midwife or GP confirming you’re fit to fly (some practicess may charge for this), and it’s worth checking your travel insurance for pregnancy clauses, but otherwise you’re all good for a trip abroad. In fact, we’d highly recommend it, since travelling with a baby can be a little less relaxing!
“You’re going for a run? In your condition?!”
It’s absolutely fine to carry on with exercise you did regularly pre-pregnancy. Sure, you may want to tone it down if you were running ultra-marathons every weekend, but generally, listen to your body - and your midwife - and not scaremongerers. In fact, there are some low impact forms of exercise you could even take up, like swimming or yoga. If you attend any classes, it’s always worth mentioning to the instructor that you’re pregnant (they may have some modifications you can try) but, as with life in general, exercise and being active is good for you - physically and mentally.
“It’s a shame you’re stuck with those roots for a few months…”
Don’t panic, you can totally dye your hair while pregnant - the chemicals you’re exposed to when bleaching or colouring are not so toxic that they can harm your baby and could only cause harm in extremely high doses. Like, even Rapunzel is OK here.
It’s always wise to carry out a patch test before using a permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, though, even if it’s your regular brand, in case your body has developed any new sensitivities.
“Better be careful mate, you could poke the baby’s head!”
The only circumstances in which sex isn’t advised during pregnancy is if your doctor or midwife has told you not to due to issues like low-lying placenta or cervical weakness. Because the truth is, no matter how well-endowed your partner may be, their penis is not going to be tapping your unborn baby on the head. Phew.
So, if you’re simply not in the mood to get down and dirty - which is very normal, particularly in pregnancy when your hormones can mess with your sex drive in both directions - there are no actual medical reasons to not Do It. However, you are, as ever, very much within your rights to say “I’m too tired/pregnant/engrossed in Instagram tonight babe. Love you though!”.
“Pickles and ice cream for you, I bet!”
Everyone knows about weird pregnancy cravings - but not everyone experiences them, at all. In fact, you’re far more likely to be off certain foods and flavours than you are to crave loads of crazy new ones.
There’s an exception. If you’re craving weird, inedible things like dirt, clay or petrol, this could be the sign of a rare but serious condition called pica, caused by lack of iron. If this is you, speak to your midwife or doctor straight away. And definitely before going down the BP garage and demanding a mug of their finest Super Unleaded.
“You’re in the second trimester now, you should be glowing!”
We’re often led to believe that first trimester = sickness and misery, second trimester = energy and joy and third trimester = big and nesty. But, annoyingly, it’s not always as straightforward as that. If you’re still feeling the nausea at this point, it’s normal - but if it’s extreme, you could be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a debilitating condition that is WAY more than a bit of morning sickness.
As ever, speak to your midwife if you’re worried. But remember, rest and relaxation are important throughout this whole “growing a human” journey, so listen to your body and not your annoying neighbour judging you for putting the bins out in your pyjamas.