Have you heard them? All those old wives’ tales about pregnancy. I can’t tell you how many times people would tell me their superstitions and oft-repeated nonsense. From how you’re carrying to what you’re craving, everyone seems to have a theory about your baby’s gender, your health, or even your due date. Some of these myths are harmless fun! But, others can be confusing or even unsafe. Here’s a guide to the most common pregnancy wives’ tales, what’s true, and what’s better left in the past.

Common Pregnancy Gender Myths & Wives’ Tales

• Carrying High vs. Low
  Myth: Carrying high means a girl, carrying low means a boy.
  Truth: The way you carry has more to do with your body shape, muscle tone, and baby’s position than gender.
• Cravings Predict Gender
  Myth: Sweet cravings mean a girl, salty cravings mean a boy.
  Truth: Cravings are linked to hormonal shifts and nutrient needs, not gender.
  Did you know? Craving red meat may signal your body needs iron. While cravings for oranges or strawberries may reflect a need for vitamin C.

Myths About Food and Pregnancy

• “You’re Eating for Two”
  Myth: Pregnancy means doubling your food intake.
  Truth: Most moms only need a small increase in calories, especially in the second and third trimesters. Focus on nutrient-rich foods instead of portions.
• “Certain Foods Induce Labor”
  Myth: Spicy food, pineapple, or dates can bring on labor.
  Truth: While these foods are safe in moderation, there’s little scientific evidence they truly induce labor.
• “Avoid Fish Completely”
  Myth: All fish is unsafe during pregnancy.
  Truth: Many fish are rich in protein and omega-3s, which are great for baby’s brain and eye development. Just avoid high-mercury fish like tuna, shark, swordfish, and king mackerel.
  Did you know? Walnuts, chia seeds, and algal oil supplements provide omega-3s without mercury risk. It’s comforting to know that you don’t need to eat fish if you don’t want to just to get your omegas. You can go straight to the factory (haha) and eat the algae!

Superstitions About Pregnancy Comfort

• “Heartburn Means a Hairy Baby”
  Myth: If you have bad heartburn, your baby will be born with lots of hair.
  Truth: While one small study found a link, heartburn is mainly due to hormonal changes and pressure from the growing uterus.
• “You Can’t Exercise”
  Myth: Exercise will hurt your baby.
  Truth: Gentle movement like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga is safe for most moms and supports circulation, mood, and digestion. Many standard pregnancy exercises are geared to helping your body keep fit and help prepare it for the actual birth experience. I would like to add that if you’ve always exercised vigorously, you will probably realize you need to and want to drop back the intensity, but you don’t need to stop exercising. True story: I did Hot Yoga in the hot room until 2 weeks before giving birth. I adjusted the poses, but because my body knew it was OK, I continued. You have to feel OK about your decisions and you ALSO need to remove risk from the equation. When in doubt speak to the people who know.

Final Thoughts for Moms

Wives’ tales can be fun to laugh about, but they aren’t reliable sources of pregnancy guidance. When in doubt, lean on your healthcare provider and evidence-based nutrition and wellness tips. Enjoy the excitement of your pregnancy journey — myths and all — but trust your body and science first.

FAQs

Q1: Do cravings reveal my baby’s gender?
A1: No! Cravings are usually linked to hormones and nutrient needs, not whether you’re having a boy or girl.

Q2: Can spicy foods bring on labor?
A2: Evidence is limited. Spicy foods may cause heartburn but don’t reliably induce labor. Sometimes things are simply coincidence!

Q3: Is it safe to exercise while pregnant?
A3: Yes, gentle activities like walking, swimming, or yoga are safe for most moms unless your doctor advises otherwise. Having taught yoga and pilates for years, I can tell you that the rule of thumb I used to offer my students is this: Do what you know. Don’t start something new. Of course, you would exercise (pun!) caution and not overdo things you feel could harm you or your baby. But, if you’ve always done something, then you may need to modify it, but you may not need to stop it cold turkey!