Pregnancy and the Flood of Advice: What to Believe?
If you are pregnant, chances are you have already faced a tidal wave of well-meaning advice, from your mother-in-law to the random market woman. Nigerian mums especially know just how real (and overwhelming) this gets! While some cultural wisdom is helpful, many suggestions are rooted in old wives’ tales that only add confusion and unnecessary stress to your journey.
Learning how to handle unsolicited pregnancy advice gracefully is a skill every expectant mother quickly develops. Here is a breakdown of what to embrace, what to ignore, and the science behind the stories.
Why Unwanted Advice Gets Worse as Pregnancy Progresses
The further along your pregnancy progresses, the more “experts” seem to emerge. You will likely hear warnings against bending too low or picking up your older children, with people claiming it might trigger early labor.
As your due date approaches, the unsolicited home remedies flood in: “Eat this to induce labor,” or “Avoid that, or you’ll delay it.” While some of these practices represent beautiful cultural traditions, a large portion of them are pure myth.
As your due date approaches, the unsolicited home remedies flood in: “Eat this to induce labor,” or “Avoid that, or you’ll delay it.” While some of these practices represent beautiful cultural traditions, a large portion of them are pure… Share on X
6 Popular Pregnancy Myths: Fact vs. Fiction
To help you separate myths from facts, let’s look at the science behind six of the most common pregnancy myths.
1. Severe Morning Sickness Means You’re Having a Girl
-
The Myth: One of the most popular beliefs is that severe morning sickness points to a baby girl. While it makes for a fun guess, there’s no medical basis for this one. Every pregnancy is different, and so are the symptoms!
-
The Reality: Fiction. While a few historical studies suggested a slight link between severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) and female fetuses due to higher hormone levels, it is far from a reliable tracking method. Every pregnancy is medically unique, and plenty of boy-mums spend their first trimester close to the toilet bowl.
2. Severe Heartburn Equals a Hairy Baby
-
The Myth: Many mums swear by this one: if you’re popping antacids like candy, your baby must be born with a full head of hair.
-
The Reality: Surprising Fact (Sort of!). This is one old wives’ tale that actually has some backing. It sounds wild, but some research actually hints at a small connection—although it’s far from conclusive. A small study by Johns Hopkins University found a connection between severe heartburn and newborn hair.
The Medical Reason: The same pregnancy hormones (like progesterone) that relax the esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux are also responsible for triggering fetal hair growth. So, while the hair itself doesn’t cause the heartburn, the same hormone drives both.
3. High vs. Low Bump: Clues to the Baby’s Gender
-
The Myth: Carrying high means it’s a girl; carrying low means it’s a boy.
-
The Reality: Fiction. How you “carry” has absolutely nothing to do with chromosomes. Your bump shape is entirely determined by:
-
Your natural body type and height
-
Your abdominal muscle tone (first-time mums often carry higher because their muscles haven’t been stretched yet)
-
The baby’s physical position in the womb
-
4. The Baby’s Heart Rate Can Predict the Sex
-
The Myth: A heart rate over 140 beats per minute (bpm) means a girl; below 140 bpm means a boy.
-
The Reality: Fiction. A baby’s heart rate fluctuates constantly based on their movement and development stage. Your doctor or midwife checks the heartbeat to monitor vital health, not to determine gender. So, don’t read too much into the number.
5. Clingy Toddlers Can Sense the Baby’s Gender
-
The Myth: Highly popular among Nigerian mums, this tale says that if a young boy becomes unusually clingy to a pregnant woman, she is having a girl (and vice versa), because the child “senses” competition.
-
The Reality: Fiction. Many mothers search for the reason why toddlers become extra clingy during pregnancy. The truth is entirely emotional, not supernatural. Toddlers are highly intuitive; they sense changes in their routine, your energy levels, and the shifting dynamics or preparations in the household. They are simply seeking reassurance, regardless of whether you are having a boy or a girl.
6. A Completely Different Second Pregnancy Means a Different Gender
-
The Myth: Another popular belief is that if your second pregnancy feels completely different from your first, you’re carrying another sex.
-
The Reality: Fiction. While it’s fun to compare pregnancies, symptoms can vary for many reasons unrelated to gender. No two pregnancies are identical, even if you are carrying the exact same gender. Variations in morning sickness, cravings, and fatigue are usually due to your age, your current fitness levels, stress, or simply how your body is reacting to hormone shifts this time around.
Summary: How to Tell Fact From Fiction
| The Pregnancy Myth | The Scientific Reality |
| Severe Morning Sickness = Girl | False. Driven purely by individual hormone sensitivity. |
| Severe Heartburn = Hairy Baby | Partially True. The same hormone causes both. |
| High/Low Bump = Gender Indicator | False. Dependent on your height and muscle tone. |
| Heart Rate Over 140 BPM = Girl | False. Normal fetal heart rates fluctuate constantly. |
| Clingy Toddlers Sense the Sex | False. Toddlers are just reacting to environmental changes. |
Myths Can Be Fun, But Stick to the Facts
Old wives’ tales are part of the fun and folklore of pregnancy. They make for great conversations at baby showers and bonding moments with elders. But remember: they’re not medical facts. Don’t paint the nursery pink or blue based on someone’s hunch.
Always consult your OB-GYN or midwife for actual medical advice, and take the rest of the unsolicited commentary with a gentle smile and a grain of salt.
Read
5 Myths Many First-Time Mums Believe
