Pregnancy myths you can keep out of your way, Mama

Once you announce a pregnancy, the advice starts arriving. From your mother, your mother-in-law, the aunty at the pasar and every WhatsApp group you belong to. Some of it is wise. Some of it is simply untrue.

Old beliefs are passed on with love, and many come from a time when there was little else to go on. Sorting fact from myth helps you relax, eat well and enjoy these months. The myths below are the ones Malaysian Mamas hear most, each with what doctors advise today.

Myths about your body and daily life

"You should not exercise while pregnant"

The opposite is true. If your pregnancy is healthy, regular exercise is recommended. Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as brisk walking, swimming, prenatal yoga or a stationary bike. Exercise can ease back pain and constipation, help you sleep, and lower the risk of gestational diabetes.

Adjust as you go. Avoid contact sports, activities with a risk of falling, and lying flat on your back for long periods after the first trimester. Stop and call your doctor if you have bleeding, dizziness, chest pain, leaking fluid or painful contractions. Ask your doctor before starting if you have a medical condition or pregnancy complication.

Comfortable clothes help you keep moving. Our Maternity Leggings are made to sit over or under the bump. In a Mama's Choice satisfaction survey of 63 mums in Indonesia in 2022, 98% felt they were comfortable to wear. Our guide on how to pick maternity leggings has more.

"You cannot travel while pregnant"

Travel is usually fine in a healthy pregnancy. Many women find the middle months, roughly 14 to 28 weeks, the most comfortable, as nausea has eased and the bump is still manageable.

On long drives, stop every couple of hours to stretch and walk. Wear the seat belt with the lap strap under your bump. On flights, drink water, move your legs and ask about compression stockings for long journeys. Airlines set their own cut-off dates late in pregnancy and may ask for a doctor's letter, so check before you book. Carry your antenatal card (buku rekod kesihatan ibu) wherever you go.

Hot tubs and saunas are best avoided, because overheating is not good for a developing baby. Rides with sudden jolts, such as roller coasters, carry a risk of injury and are best left for later.

"You must eat for two"

You do not need double portions. Most women need no extra calories in the first trimester and only a modest amount more later, about 300 a day in the third trimester. That is a glass of milk and a piece of fruit, not a second plate of nasi lemak. Quality matters more: vegetables, fruit, whole grains, protein, dairy and your folic acid and iron supplements as advised by your klinik.

Gaining a lot more weight than recommended raises the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.

Myths about food

"Eating peanuts or dairy will give your baby allergies"

Unless you are allergic yourself or your doctor has advised otherwise, there is no need to avoid peanuts, milk, eggs or other common allergens. Cutting them out has not been shown to prevent allergies in babies, and it may make it harder to get the nutrition you need.

Some foods are worth avoiding for other reasons, mainly food poisoning: raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, unpasteurised dairy, soft mould-ripened cheese and pâté. Our list of foods to avoid during pregnancy covers them.

"Pineapple and durian cause miscarriage"

This one is very common in Malaysia. Normal portions of ripe pineapple or durian will not cause a miscarriage. Pineapple contains bromelain, but the amount in a few slices is far too small to affect the womb. Durian is rich and high in sugar and calories, so enjoy it in moderation, especially if you have gestational diabetes.

"Cold drinks will make your baby big"

Cold water and ice do not change your baby's size. Staying well hydrated matters in Malaysian heat, so drink what you enjoy. Sugary drinks, iced or not, are the ones to limit.

Myths about birth

"Your baby will arrive on the due date"

Your due date is an estimate based on 40 weeks from the first day of your last period, or on an early scan. Only a small share of babies arrive on that exact day. Birth anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks is considered normal.

Going past your due date is more likely in a first pregnancy and when the date was calculated wrongly. Your doctor will monitor you and your baby more closely after 40 weeks, and may offer induction of labour, usually somewhere between 41 and 42 weeks. Call your hospital straight away if your baby moves less than usual, at any stage.

Who to ask instead

When advice conflicts, ask your doctor, midwife or klinik kesihatan nurse. They know your history and can tell you what applies to you. You can also find reliable information on the KKM myHEALTH portal.

And for the advice that is harmless but annoying, a smile and "terima kasih, I'll ask my doctor" usually does the trick. While you wait, it might be time to check whether your hospital bag and diaper bag are packed.