🚫 5 pregnancy myths a midwife wants you to stop worrying about
Myth: raising your arms above your head wraps the cord around baby’s neck
This has zero anatomical basis. Nuchal cords happen from fetal movement inside the womb, not from anything you do with your arms. Reach that top shelf.
Myth: spicy food or pineapple can induce labour
There’s no reliable evidence that any food triggers labour before your body is ready. If it worked that reliably, we’d be inducing labour with fruit salad instead of medication.
Myth: you’re "eating for two"
Calorie needs only increase modestly — roughly an extra 0 calories in the first trimester and around 340–450 in the second and third. It’s about nutrient density, not doubling your plate.
Myth: heartburn during pregnancy means a hairy baby
This one is genuinely funny, and there was actually a small study that found a loose correlation — but the mechanism is about hormones relaxing your oesophageal sphincter, not fetal hair follicles predicting your future heartburn.
Myth: you can’t dye your hair or get a manicure
Current evidence doesn’t support avoiding hair dye or standard nail polish/gel manicures in a well-ventilated space. If you’re worried, wait until after the first trimester and choose a well-ventilated salon — but this isn’t a hard no.
A note from Maya
Pregnancy folklore is often well-meaning but it can add anxiety you don’t need. When in doubt, ask your provider rather than a chain message from a group chat.