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10 biggest pregnancy myths, debunked

Can you drink coffee? Should you avoid your cat? An OBGYN weighs in. 

Updated on September 18, 2023

pregnant person dressed in a light gray shirt and cream colored sweater, sitting down and holding their belly
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For people who are pregnant, it can sometimes seem like every move they make or every bite they take has a new level of significance. Is this vacation going to bring on labor? Will this beverage be safe for the fetus? Between new studies, ever-changing health guidelines, and lots of popular myths you’ll find on social media, the info can sometimes seem conflicting.

ToShow More

cup of coffee in a black cup against a blue background
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Myth: You Can’t Drink Coffee

If you can’t imagine starting your day without a steaming cup of Joe, the thought of going cold turkey during pregnancy can be a little daunting. But rather than switching entirely to decaf, Dr. Berger says you just need to limit your caffeine consumption. “There have been a lot of studies, withShow More

someone petting the head of a gray cat
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Myth: You Should Steer Clear of Cats

If it feels like there’s nothing sweeter than your beloved tabby cuddling up against your growing belly, thankfully you don’t have to banish the cat to the basement during your pregnancy. The one thing you do need to avoid is their feces. “You can still love your cat when you're pregnant,” saysShow More

pregnant person sitting in an airplane seat
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Myth: You Shouldn’t Travel By Plane

Whether you’re planning to travel for work, to visit family, or for a babymoon, it’s usually safe to board a plane through your first two trimesters and well into the third. In fact, unless your pregnancy is considered high-risk, air travel is safe for most pregnant people through 36 weeks. AfterShow More

red wine being poured into a glass
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Myth: One Glass of Wine Can’t Hurt

There may come a time late in pregnancy when you’re at a business conference, a night out with friends—or even your own baby shower—and someone hands you a glass of wine and says, “It’s okay to have one glass in your third trimester!” While some experts say that a few sips here and there areShow More

someone holding a white pill in one hand and a glass of water in another
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Myth: Antidepressants Can Increase Your Child’s Risk of Autism.

Depression during pregnancy is a serious and complex issue. While some studies have linked antidepressant use during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism, the results are inconsistent, says Berger. "First of all, there are many types of antidepressants, and second, it’s not clear whether theShow More

pregnant person shopping in the produce section of a super market
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Myth: You Should Eat Twice as Much Food

While it may be true that a pregnant person is “eating for two,” one of the two (the fetus) is significantly tinier than the other (the parent-to-be). Rather than doubling your intake, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adding between 200-400 calories per day during theShow More

pregnant person applying lotion to the belly
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Myth: Cocoa Butter Can Prevent Stretch Marks

Unfortunately, a magic potion to prevent stretch marks just doesn’t exist, says Berger. Heavy moisturizers such as cocoa butter can keep the skin moisturized, but they won’t prevent or get rid of stretch marks. Most lines will diminish after the baby is born, though some will never go awayShow More

someone with brown hair getting their hair dyed
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Myth: You Have to Forgo Hair Color and Manicures

Many things in your life may change when you’re pregnant (pack those tight jeans away for now), but touching up your roots and getting a manicure don’t have to. As long as your salons are well-ventilated, it should be fine, says Berger. “When we talk about toxic exposure, things that are on yourShow More

Black pregnant person wearing a red dress, lying down on a sofa and resting their hands above and below their belly
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Myth: You Have To Sleep On Your Back

Getting comfortable in bed can become more and more of a challenge as your abdomen grows larger, not to mention the back pain, heartburn, shortness of breath, and insomnia that often accompany the later stages of pregnancy. Many pregnant people will find that side-sleeping is the most comfortableShow More

red peppers sitting on a dark brown wood table
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Myth: Spicy Food Can Help Kick Start Labor

During the last couple of weeks of your pregnancy, it may be tempting to try to move labor along. But spicy foods aren’t going to do the trick.

“There are a lot of different popular beliefs, but when it comes down to it, spicy foods are not going to cause any sort of labor induction,” says Berger.Show More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

Vethanayagam B, Kahn SR. Flying while pregnant: what is the thrombosis risk? J Travel Med. 2020 Mar 13;27(2):taz084.
Armstrong EM. Making Sense of Advice About Drinking During Pregnancy: Does Evidence Even Matter? J Perinat Educ. 2017;26(2):65-69.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tracking Your Weight: For Women Who Begin Pregnancy Overweight. Accessed September 18, 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parasites-- Toxoplasmosis. Last reviewed August 29, 2018.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Toxoplasmosis & Pregnancy. Last updated September 4, 2020.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Alcohol and Women. Last updated December 2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Depression During and After Pregnancy. Last updated April 29, 2022.
Rastogi S, Rastogi D. The Epidemiology and Mechanisms of Lifetime Cardiopulmonary Morbidities Associated With Pre-Pregnancy Obesity and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 Mar 22;9:844905.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breastfeeding. Last updated July 9, 2021.

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