Busting Pregnancy Myths

Nearly half of new parents originally believed well-known myths during pregnancy that they later realised weren’t all true

A poll of 1,000 parents of children aged 0-10 found 11 per cent of those believed having sour cravings during the first trimester indicated you were expecting a boy.

While the same percentage (11 per cent) thought carrying the baby high up in the womb meant you would be welcoming a little girl to the world.

And 12 per cent believed that experiencing an influx of spots on your skin also indicated a female.

But 79 per cent feel at least a few of the superstitions about pregnancy that they’d heard about and believed in ended up coming true.

As a result, the study commissioned by Vitabiotics Pregnacare, found 51 per cent of those who had heard of a superstition used this to try and predict their baby’s gender.

Carly Sandland, doula and founder of The Doula Club, which matches pregnant women with doulas to provide support to families during pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum, said: “As a doula, I’ve heard every pregnancy myth going.

“Carrying high? Must be a boy. Bad skin? Definitely a girl. Craving savoury food? That’s obviously a boy.

“It’s amazing how confidently people will make these calls - even from complete strangers in the supermarket.

“What this research shows is how common these myths still are - and how many people believe them, even just a little.

“But why not enjoy the guessing games? Have a laugh at the wild ones, and let people guess if they must. But don’t let any of it carry more weight than it deserves.

“Myths aren’t facts. And they definitely aren’t a substitute for understanding your own body and the right professional advice.

“If something feels off, ask questions. If it doesn’t sit right, trust yourself.”

Parents-to-be who have heard about pregnancy myths also believed severe morning sickness would suggest a female baby, while mild sickness pointed towards a boy (14 per cent).

While 10 per cent thought jumping up and down vigorously after sex would stop conception happening.

It also emerged 30 per cent of those who tried to use a superstition to guess the baby’s gender had a go at the ‘key test’, where the expectant parent is observed picking up a key – and if they opt to grab it by the narrow end, it means a girl is due.

And while 53 per cent asked friends and family for advice about their baby’s arrival, 42 per cent turned to Google – and 23 per cent searched social media.

But 13 per cent of parents who had heard about myths or superstitions claim they influenced their expectations of pregnancy ‘a lot’, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

A spokesperson for Vitabiotics Pregnacare added: “Of course, not all of these tales are rooted in fact - but they can still be surprisingly persuasive.

“Some expectant parents are told not to raise their arms above their head, others hear that heartburn means their baby will have a full head of hair.

“While these stories are usually fairly harmless, it’s always best to check anything that may be concerning or unusual with a midwife or medical professional.”

TOP 20 OLD WIVES TALES EXPECTANT PARENTS BELIEVED – THAT AREN’T TRUE:

1. Severe morning sickness means it’s a girl/ mild or no morning sickness means it’s a boy
2. Eating spicy food can induce labour
3. Having clear skin means it’s a boy/ having bad skin means it’s a girl
4. In your third trimester, if you’re carrying high it’s a girl and low for a boy
5. Craving sweets means it’s a girl/ salty or sour foods means it’s a boy
6. A round belly means it’s a girl/a pointed belly means it’s a boy
7. If you gain weight in your face, it's a girl; if you gain weight in your hips and thighs, it's a boy
8. Avoiding spicy foods will prevent colic in the baby
9. A baby’s heart rate above 140 bpm indicates it’s a girl/ below indicates it’s a boy
10. You shouldn’t breast feed if you’re ill
11. Jumping up and down immediately after intercourse will prevent conception
12. After intercourse, a hot bath or a heating pad on the stomach prevents conception
13. If the dark belly line extends above the belly button it means it’s a boy/if it stays below the belly button it means it’s a girl
14. Using the missionary position helps to conceive a girl
15. Eating yams increases fertility
16. You should only eat plain food while breastfeeding
17. If you're moodier, it's a girl; if you're more relaxed, it's a boy
18. Dreaming about having a boy means you’re having a girl, and vice versa
19. If when you swing a ring over your belly it moves in a circle it’s a girl/ if moves back and forth it’s a boy
20. Expectant parents will deliver babies similarly to the way their mothers did