Pregnancy Myths - Guide

Nutrition Myths

Myth
Myth
A mother will have to eat for 2
Foods such as papaya or pumpkin are too hot
as a little human is inside her
for the baby whereas white foods such as
milk, yoghurt & banana are too cold
Fact
A developing baby does not require
Fact
the amount of food that a full grown
It is important that you consume a mixture of all kinds
adult requires. Only a small increase
of foods. Do not focus on the fact that they are hot or
such as additional snacks would
cold; Instead what is most important in the portion
suffice.
that they are being consumed in, and also their
nutritive content. Hot and cold foods have no impact
on nutrition and baby's well-being.

Myth
Ghee will coat the mother's
Myth cervix and help the baby slide
Papayas are considered unsafe because they out, giving the mother a short
can cause uterine contractions. Eating and pain free delivery.
papayas may cause miscarriages or slower
baby development

Fact Fact
Unripe papaya & pineapple contains papain & Ghee is a natural saturated fat and
bromelain respectively which can cause mild uterine should be taken with caution, as it can
contractions and increase morning sickness. Ripened aid in excessive weight gain, when not
fruits are perfectly safe. Moderation is key. Check necessary.
with your doctor / nutritionist

Myth
To-Be moms will have the strangest cravings (even non-foods)

Fact
There are some women who have cravings and some who don’t. Non-Food cravings are associated with
PICA eating disorder. Consuming such items can create medical complications. A pregnant women can
consume foods that she is having cravings for as long as it is not detrimental to health.

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 Myth
Myth
Salt
Baby might be born dark / fair depending on what foods you
causes
consume
swelling
Fact
Fact
A baby's complexion is solely dependent on genetics and the genes passed
An excess salt
down from his parents; No amount of haldi, kesar, etc. is going to make the
intake may cause
baby be born with a different skin shade than that determined by his/her
hypertension/
genetics.
spikes in blood
pressure, in a few
cases it may also
Myth fluid retention.
Chapatti & Rice cause indigestion Avoid the intake
of processed food
Fact and and limit your
These can be safely consumed so long as they are properly cooked through. sodium and salt
In the raw or partially cooked form they might cause indigestion. Pulses are intake to help
a good source of protein, however if uncooked or insufficiently cooked it can limit any swelling
cause gastritis, soaking and addition of jeera, ginger garlic makes it easily that may occur.
digestible.

Milky Myths

Myth Myth
Drinking milk produces milk Drinking water may
dilute your milk
Fact
Milk is a galactogogue, it is rich in calcium and protein and enhances milk Fact
production. A lady can safely consume 400-500 ml of Toned and Water is necessary to
pasteurized milk everyday. ensure that you are
well hydrated. 3-4
Litres of liquids is
recommended to
Myth
ensure that you are
A mother should not feed the baby when she has fever or cold
well hydrated. It can
also be consumed in
Fact
the form of fresh fruit/
The quality of breast milk cannot be depleted when a mother suffers
vegetable juice, tender
from cold or fever. A mother cannot transmit the infection while feeding
coconut water,
the baby and hence, she should not stop the feeding, even if the baby
buttermilk/lassi, etc.
has a cold or cough.

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 Myth Myth
Advice of throwing the colostrum and not having Feeding animal milk such as cow / goat /
the baby consume it is sometimes given donkey may be healthy for the baby

Fact
Colostrum is the perfect first foods for the baby.
They contain concentrated nutrients & provide
antibodies to help your baby keep healthy. It is
sometimes referred to as liquid gold as far as first
baby foods are concerned.
Fact
As per the WHO guidelines, a baby should
be exclusively breastfed for the 1st 6
months, followed by the introduction of
complimentary foods. Alternative animal
milks (cow/goat/donkey/ buffalo/etc.) may
be started after the baby's first Birthday..

Myth
Eating bland foods improves milk production & quality

Fact
During breast feeding the mother's diet should be rich in spices like cumin seeds (jeera), fenugreek seeds
(methi), Carrom seeds (Ajwain), fennel seeds (Saunf), ginger, garlic, etc. as these are proven to be good
galactogogues, and enhance milk production. The amount of chilly and "spicy" food should be reduced as
this can trigger gastritis and acidity, which can become quite uncomfortable for the mother.

Superstitious Practices

Myth
There are practices of applying kajal in baby’s eyes. Sometimes oil is instilled into eyes, ears or nose.
Castor oil is given for constipation or forceful evacuation

Fact
Such practices must be avoided. Application of kajal can cause conjunctivitis.

Myth Myth
In some cultures there is a practice of putting Bury placenta at place of delivery or in
old clothes on the new borns courtyard to keep evil spirits away

Fact Fact
Putting old clothes on a baby is fine, but make Not only is there no scientific evidence of evil
sure they are properly washed, ironed are rid spirits, there is also none for this practice.
of any musty smell.

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Myth Myth
In some communities, after a bath, a baby is slowly moved back and There is a practice of
forth over aromatic smoke coming from incense sambrani dhoop on squeezing the baby’s nipple
coal that is burnt in a clay pot on the floor. after bath and is
considered safe & useful
Fact for growth of babies.
Although Sambrani smoke is good for room fragrance, large
quantities of this smoke may be harmful for the baby. It can cause Fact
illness, breathing problems & eye irritation. Ensure you use small Squeezing a newborn’s
quantities and keep the baby safely away from the smoke. nipple may be very painful.
This may cause infection
and continued practice
may also cause permanent
Myth damage.
Mother should be isolated from the baby for 49 days due to impure
status following child birth

Fact Myth
Baby should be and can be cared for most by the mother only. Due Eclipse can curse the
to requirements such as breastfeeding & bonding, they should not unborn child. Pregnant
be separated, especially immediately after child birth. women should not hold
knives during an eclipse

Fact
In ancient times, eclipse
Myth
was a phenomenon that
Post-delivery no cold water, fruits, curd etc. Some areas do not
used to cover the sun (or
allow the lady to drink water. Some do not give food for six days
moon), a god in many
except fruits and milk
cultures. Thus many bad
omens were associated
Fact
with it. However, today we
A mother, immediately after post-delivery should not be restricted
understand why eclipses
in any way. Husband and family should be supportive in every sense
happen. It’s a very natural
and all her requirements (if not harmful) must be satisfied.
phenomenon. Just stay
indoors, don’t look at the
sun directly, and you and
your child should be safe

Myth
Knife kept with baby and mother to keep evil spirits away

Fact
This is an extremely dangerous practice and must not be followed. Babies wriggle a lot and keeping sharp
objects nearby can cause mishaps. Keep both the mom & the baby safe.
her requirements (if not harmful) must be satisfied.
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Gender Myths

Myth Myth
The sex of the baby can be assessed by the The sex of the baby can be determined by the day of
shape and position of the pregnancy. Girls the menstrual cycle on which intercourse takes place
are carried high while boys are carried low. and the position in which it occurs.

Fact Fact
How or where you carry your child is a There is no formula or statistically proven method of
combination of mass and muscle integrity. It influencing the sex of the baby.
has nothing to do with the sex of the baby.

Myth
Herbal Medicines can be used to promote formation of male fetus.

Fact
There is no scientific proof that anything can promote or inhibit a certain gender. Gender of the baby is purely
decided by chromosomal combination of the husband & wife.

Miscellaneous Myths

Myth Myth
Exercise, travel & intercourse will inevitably precipitate a Hair dyes contain
miscarriage. But bed rest and putting your feet up will prevent a chemicals, exposure to
miscarriage. which can cause
miscarriages or harm the
Fact fetus.
This is a popular belief but is generally untrue. Your gynaecologist is
the best judge of this. There may be special cases in which these Fact
might be harmful, especially if the pregnancy is complicated Exposure to high levels of
lead while pregnant can
cause problems like
Myth preterm delivery & low
While pregnant, you will be glowing & happy all the time. birth weight etc... The good
news is that hair dyes
Fact aren't dangerously toxic, so
The idea that pregnant women experience a “pregnancy glow” is it's safe to apply color to
real. The glow comes from an increase in blood volume, oestrogen, your hair while pregnant.
and progesterone. However, same cannot be said about being However, moderation is
happy. You may feel irritated and sad at times the key.

Kids Clinic India Pvt. Ltd., Regd. Office: 1533, 9th Main, 3rd Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru 560011, Phone: 99729 99729
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