12 pregnancy myths debunked: Should pregnant women stop drinking coffee, flying and colouring their hair? (2024)

Pregnant women have heard them all – don’t take a plane, don’t drink caffeine, don’t climb the stairs, don’t eat seafood, take all your supplements, and more. Which of these precautions are myths and which are based on fact?

Dr Shilla Mariah Yussof, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Singapore Women’s & Children’s Medical Group and Shilla Mariah Clinic For Women, breaks down some common pregnancy myths.

Her biggest advice to pregnant mums: Focus more on the joys of being pregnant rather than your fears while expecting.

MYTH: YOU SHOULDN’T TAKE A PLANE OR TRAVEL WHILE PREGNANT

The belief is that the vibrations and changes in air pressure can harm your baby.

However, he or she is quite safe in the womb, said Dr Shilla. The foetus is surrounded by the amniotic sac, which is filled with fluid that acts as a protective barrier. Your uterine muscles and abdominal cavity further protect your baby.

Dr Shilla added that while flying, pregnant women should keep hydrated, walk around, or wear compression stockings to prevent blood clots or discomfort in the legs.

Take note that airlines generally have a cut-off period of around 36 weeks gestation for pregnant women to fly.

“With all this in mind, go for your holiday, take that plane and have fun,” she said.

MYTH: YOU SHOULDN’T RENOVATE YOUR HOUSE UNTIL AFTER THE BABY IS BORN

You may want to change up a few things in your home to prepare for the baby’s arrival, such as putting a cabinet in the nursery and giving it a fresh coat of paint. Some cultures, however, warn pregnant women against doing any sort of renovation as they believe it may bring misfortune or harm to the baby.

“Medically, there is no evidence that being in a house undergoing minor, quick renovations will harm your baby,” Dr Shilla said.

“However, as major renovations often involve a huge amount of dust or even possible toxic fumes, it is best to avoid this as it may affect your health and subsequently, the baby’s.”

Dr Shilla advised that if you need to be present while your house is being renovated, you can take precautions by designating one room for yourself that won’t be affected by the work. Also, wear a protective mask whenever you go out of the room or move around the house.

MYTH: YOU SHOULD AVOID PLAYING WITH DOGS AND CATS WHILE EXPECTING

It all depends on what pets you have, their size and habits, and your role as their handler, Dr Shilla said.

Dogs and fish are usually fine, although some dogs are big and may love to jump on you and play on your chest and belly. If they aren’t careful, this may cause injury.

Cats are a little more tricky. Dr Shilla explained that cats carry a bacteria called toxoplasma gondii in their faeces, which can cause toxoplasmosis. This infection can lead to serious problems in the foetus, including pregnancy complications like premature birth and low birth weight.

If you’re in charge of clearing the cat’s litter box, you may come in direct contact with its faeces, which can lead to you getting toxoplasmosis.

Dr Shilla said the likelihood of infection is low, but you might want to get someone else to take care of the litter box for the time being, and to wash your hands often and after playing with your cat.

MYTH: GO AHEAD AND PUT ON AS MUCH WEIGHT AS YOU WANT DURING YOUR PREGNANCY

It depends on your weight and BMI before pregnancy, said Dr Shilla.

If your BMI falls within the healthy range of 18.5 to 24.9, the recommended weight gain during pregnancy is between 11.3kg and 15.9kg. If your BMI exceeds 30, the recommended weight gain is between 5kg and 9.1kg.

Dr Shilla added that gaining too much or too little weight outside the recommended range can cause complications.

She said excessive weight gain can increase the risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during pregnancy, postpartum obesity, and delivering a large baby, which can lead to birth complications such as tears.

On the other hand, insufficient weight gain can result in a baby that is too small, which may lead to breastfeeding difficulties, increased risk of illnesses, or developmental delays, she added.

MYTH: DON’T DYE YOUR HAIR DURING PREGNANCY

A common myth suggests that hair dye contains chemicals like ammonia, peroxide, and paraphenylenediamine that may be harmful to your growing baby.

However, Dr Shilla explained that these chemicals are only dangerous in very high doses. When you dye your hair, whether at the salon or at home, only a small amount is absorbed by the skin, with even less reaching the bloodstream.

This is the case even if you bleach your hair. As a result, the overall risk to the developing baby is low.

MYTH: I SHOULDN'T EXERCISE BECAUSE THE ACTIVITY MIGHT HURT THE BABY

“Untrue,” Dr Shilla said. “Exercise is recommended in pregnancy throughout all three trimesters as it prevents complications such as diabetes and hypertension, and makes it easier for your body to push the baby out during labour.”

She reiterated that the protective layers of your womb make it “very unlikely” that the foetus would suffer injury or be harmed when you exercise.

However, Dr Shilla noted that certain exercises should be avoided as they may put you at high risk of injury. These include contact sports like rugby, football, and martial arts; activities with a high risk of falling, such as skiing and horseback riding; and intense activities that involve changes in oxygen levels, such as skydiving and scuba diving.

MYTH: YOU CANNOT TAKE THE STAIRS THROUGHOUT ALL THREE TRIMESTERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST AND LAST

“Taking the stairs is a good form of exercise throughout all trimesters of your pregnancy… and until the day you go into labour,” said Dr Shilla.

It helps keep you active, improves blood circulation and cholesterol levels, strengthens your leg and thigh muscles, increases leg power, and builds the lower body strength needed for labour and overall health.

However, some pregnant women may find it too taxing to take the stairs. Dr Shilla advised listening to your body and if it’s too much, there are other exercises you can do to improve your health, such as prenatal yoga and kegel exercises.

MYTH: EATING SEAFOOD WILL HARM THE BABY SO AVOID IT COMPLETELY

“Not necessarily – unless you have pre-existing allergies. Cooked seafood is fine,” Dr Shilla said.

However, it’s best to avoid raw seafood like sushi and sashimi due to the risk of bacterial and parasitic infections, which can harm both the mother and the baby, she added.

Pregnant women should also avoid consuming large predatory fish like swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish as these may contain mercury, which may slow down the baby’s development in the early years.

MYTH: EATING HERBS AND TONICS WILL MAKE MY BABY MORE INTELLIGENT

It depends on what herbs and tonics these are, Dr Shilla said.

“Some herbs and tonics are being marketed on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook as making your baby intelligent,” she said. “However, the sources are unregulated and sketchy, so it’s best to avoid them.

“Unless herbs and tonics are regulated and approved by the Health Sciences Authority, sellers and consumers cannot be completely sure about the ingredients in supplements, and they may not be beneficial to you or the baby.”

She added that sticking to a wholesome and holistic diet will promote the healthy growth of the foetus and provide important nutrients and vitamins.

“If you want to boost your body and your baby's health and development, stick to prenatal vitamins and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), such as fish oil supplements, prescribed by your gynaecologist,” Dr Shilla said.

MYTH: NO COFFEE AT ALL WHILE PREGNANT

If you rely on a cup of coffee or two to power you through the day, you’ll be relieved to know that you don’t have to give up caffeine completely when you’re pregnant.

“The key is moderation,” Dr Shilla said, adding that as with almost anything else, too much caffeine may present risks to the foetus, and complications such as miscarriage, pre-term delivery and low birth rate.

Most recommendations include limiting drinks containing caffeine such as coffee, tea and cola to a maximum of two cups a day for your baby’s safety.

“This is a myth as some pregnancy complications are unexpected,” Dr Shilla said.

“While there are risk factors and ways to avoid them, some conditions like a low-lying placenta, preeclampsia – which involves high blood pressure, too much protein in your urine, and swelling in your legs, feet, and hands – and gestational diabetes can happen even if you were healthy and have no presenting symptoms.”

She emphasised the need to have regular antenatal checkups with your obstetrician so they can detect any complications early before they develop into further risks or harm you and the baby.

MYTH: vagin*L BIRTHS ARE ALWAYS BETTER FOR THE MUM AND THE BABY

vagin*l births are often considered to have more benefits than births delivered via caesarean section, Dr Shilla said.

Some benefits include the mother experiencing less postpartum pain and the baby being exposed to beneficial bacteria in the mother’s birth canal, which can help sustain and improve the newborn’s health and development.

However, Dr Shilla noted that this doesn’t mean that vagin*l birth is always better for the mum and baby.

Some conditions, such as breech position, low amniotic fluid, or carrying a large baby, can make caesarean section a safer and better option for the mother and baby.

“Each delivery method, be it vagin*l birth or caesarean section, has its benefits and risks,” Dr Shilla said.

“As long as the mum is aware of what can take place during each method and can make an informed decision with her obstetrician and gynaecologist for the safety of herself and her baby, then either delivery method can work."