10 hilarious Indian pregnancy myths busted!

These myths have been passed on from one generation to the next and are often followed in many Indian households.

Sonali Shivlani | Updated: June 9, 2016 10:54 am

Read in Hindi

When you are pregnant be ready to get advices from all directions, pouring in generously without any second thought given to them. The problem is not the well-meaning advices, but that they are seldom correct scientifically and are based on superstitions passed from one generation to the other. Most women believe in them out of fear and for the sake of her baby’s well-being. However, it is wise to validate these advices which are just myths, before you start acting on them. Here are 10 common ones busted by Sonali Shivlani, an Internationally Certified Pregnancy, Lactation and Child Nutrition Counsellor.

Myth 1: Hanging pictures of beautiful babies on the wall result in cute babies.

Fact: Looks and features of the newborn depend on genetics. Hanging photos of cute babies does not ensure any particular features in your baby. However, having good looking or positive pictures on the wall can surely make the would-be mother feel good which is great for overall pregnancy and well-being. Remember, stress alone holds a lot of power to hamper your baby’s growth and development both aesthetically and physiologically. So be positive always. Still want cute baby pictures, check our gallery with 25 baby pictures that will make you go awe.

Myth 2: Drinking coconut water after the seventh month of pregnancy makes the baby’s head as large as the coconut.

Fact: We are wondering from where did this come from. This is completely false. Coconut water is a good source of potassium and should be consumed in moderation for optimum gut health. It will have no impact on the size of the baby’s head. Here are more reasons why pregnant woman should drink coconut water.

Myth 3: Drinking coconut water will result in the baby having a lot of hair and the mother getting acidity.

Fact: Again, not true! The baby generally lays head-down in the third trimester and the acidity that the mother suffers from is a result of her growing belly. As the mother progresses into her pregnancy the uterus stretches out and pushes the intestine upward which makes the process of digestion sluggish and is responsible for all the acidity and constipation.

Myth 4: Eating something white first thing in the morning will result in a fair-skinned baby.

Fact: Oh really! Then all that milk and bread would have turned anyone white by now. This is sheer myth. The colour of the food you eat has no bearing on the complexion of your newborn. Like looks, it too depends on your genetics. However, here is a list of top 10 foods you should be having during pregnancy.

Myth 5: One should not indulge in any activity during an eclipse else the baby will be born with some deformity.

Fact: An eclipse is a natural phenomenon. It will definitely not cause any defects or deformities in the baby. This does not mean you look at one with the naked eye. General precautions need to be taken by everyone, not just by pregnant women.

Myth 6: The shape of the stomach can help determine the sex of the baby.

Fact: The stomach is shaped on how the baby lays in the womb. Whether it is a girl or boy cannot be deciphered based on the shape. Here are nine other funny ways in which people try to predict their baby’s gender.

Myth 7: The type of cravings a pregnant woman has can determine the sex of the baby.

Fact: Pregnancy cravings are essentially due to nutritional deficiencies in the body and not because it is a girl or boy. There is no concrete proof that craving for a certain food means the woman is expecting a girl and vice versa.

Myth 8: The mother’s complexion determines the sex of the baby.

Fact: It’s actually hormones which cause skin changes during pregnancy like patches on the neck, dark underarms and at times even darkening of skin on the face which is called the pregnancy mask. Here are a few home remedies for skin care during pregnancy.

Myth 9: Eating ghee or oil will help the baby slide out from the vagina during labour.

Fact: Ghee or oil does not help the baby slide out easily in any way. All they do is add a whole lot of calories in your body which becomes difficult to shed once the baby is born. Refrain from eating piles of fatty food and eat a healthy, balanced meal. Here is all that you need to know about weight gain during pregnancy.

Myth 10: Pregnant women need to double their diet quantity as they are eating for two people.

Fact: This is quite common but is untrue. Though you are eating for two people, you do not have to double the quantity of food. All you need to add is 300 extra calories. The healthier options you choose, the better it is. Pregnant women need extra nutrition from all food groups and not just fat. Never indulge in eating for two, here are reasons why it is not healthy.

Sonali Shivlani is an Internationally Certified Pregnancy, Lactation and Child Nutrition Counselor. She has worked with more than 10000 couples through her pre- and post-natal programs. She is the Executive Director of CAPPA India and trains and certifies professionals in the Birth field. She heads the Pregnancy Fitness Educator Program for CAPPA International. She is also the author of the Super Mom’s Recipe Book. She is on the expert panel of Mother and Baby a leading magazine in this genre.

Image courtesy: Getty Images

Published: January 23, 2015 12:48 pm | Updated:June 9, 2016 10:54 am

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