5 Common Pregnancy Myths (and What’s Really True)

Pregnancy is full of advice. Some of it is useful, some of it is well-meaning, and some of it is the kind of thing someone’s auntie told them thirty years ago and it’s somehow still doing the rounds. From the moment your bump appears, everyone seems to have an opinion – and it can be hard to know what to actually believe.

So I thought I’d take five of the most common pregnancy myths and have a look at what’s really going on.

The Myth: Heartburn Means a Hairy Baby

You’ve probably heard this one. The idea is that if you’re suffering with heartburn, your baby is going to arrive with a full head of hair. Funnily enough, this myth actually has a tiny bit of science behind it. A small study did find a link between heartburn during pregnancy and babies born with more hair. It’s not a reliable prediction by any means, but it’s one of those old wives’ tales that turns out to have come from somewhere. So if you’re reaching for the Gaviscon at midnight, maybe hold onto a little hope.

The Myth: You Can Tell Baby’s Gender by the Shape of Your Bump

High bump means a girl. Low bump means a boy. Or is it the other way around? Honestly, it doesn’t matter, because neither is true. Bump shape is influenced by things like your body type, muscle tone, and how your baby is lying – not what sex they are. Ultrasound is still your best bet if you want to find out, and even that comes with a caveat.

The Myth: Eating Pineapple Can Trigger Labour

This one has been around for years. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which can soften the cervix – and that’s probably where the myth started. But the amount you’d need to eat to have any real effect is genuinely vast. We’re not talking a few slices. Enjoy your pineapple because it’s delicious, but don’t eat an entire crate of it hoping to get things moving.

The Myth: Baths Are Dangerous During Pregnancy

Good news: you can absolutely have a bath when you’re pregnant. A warm soak can ease aches, calm your mind, and give your feet a rest from carrying around all that extra weight. The important thing is to keep the water warm rather than hot. Very hot water can raise your core body temperature, which isn’t ideal- so skip the scalding bath and enjoy a comfortable, relaxing soak instead.

The Myth: You Shouldn’t Dye Your Hair While Pregnant

This one used to be standard advice, but it’s based on older hair dye formulas that contained harsher chemicals. Most modern dyes are considered safe during pregnancy, particularly after the first trimester. One thing worth knowing is that pregnancy hormones can make your skin more sensitive, so doing a patch test first is a sensible idea. But you don’t have to spend nine months avoiding the salon.

Whether you’ve heard these from your mum, a friend, or a well-meaning stranger, pregnancy myths have a way of sticking around. It’s always worth checking the facts – because pregnancy is complicated enough without sorting through advice that wasn’t accurate to begin with.